This webinar is for anyone involved in assessing for access arrangements who is interested in exploring the options for replacing the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SMDT).

The Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) is being withdrawn from the SASC approved list of assessments from April 30th 2023. Communicate-ed and PATOSS will be removing the test from their suggested list of assessments for exam access arrangements from 1st September 2023. The test has been widely used for EAA assessments in secondary and FE settings, and many assessors are keen to find replacement tests in the JCQ cognitive processing ‘area’ of visual processing speed.

Lia will be exploring the options for replacing the SDMT in assessments for extra time in exams, and Form 8. She will cover some familiar tests and will explore some other options that are new to the UK market.

The course tutor is Lia Castiglione.

Lia Castiglione

Lia Castiglione is Head of Training at Communicate-ed. She has been teaching and supporting learners of all ages for over 25 years and in varying educational settings. She is a specialist teacher who is highly experienced in all aspects of access arrangements, has held a current Assessment Practising Certificate since 2008 and regularly assesses in schools and colleges. Lia is the co-creator of a postgraduate access arrangements assessor course and is the author of the Patoss/JCQ book, ‘Assessing the Need for Access Arrangements.’ Lia serves on the SpLD Assessment Standards Committee (SASC) Board of Directors.

​If you can’t make the webinar on Wednesday 29th March, we will be recording it and will offer the option to book to view the recording from 30th March, so please check back then.

Communicate-ed annual members receive a £9 discount if they use their discount code at the checkout (Please note: refunds cannot be made if you omit to use the code).

The discount codes for the webinars are on the Members’ page (you will need to log in to access this and scroll down to ‘Member Discount Codes for Webinars and Webinar Recordings). We email out the discount codes in our emails to members too.

If you are not a Communicate-ed Annual Member, you can sign up here. It is £15/year, with your first year free, and offers a range of discounts and benefits.

Yes, this webinar is SASC-approved for 1.5 hours core CPD. Delegates who attend the whole webinar will be sent a certificate with the relevant SASC code a couple of days after the webinar.