Is it possible to request an alternative keyboard such as DVORAK instead of QWERTY in an assessment?

Saga

I'm about to take my first synoptic exam in a few days; I can only touch type with a DVORAK layout. As I didn't really need to type anything other than numbers in the previous assessments, this hasn't really been an issue. I am much faster at typing in DVORAK, wondering if anyone else has experience of this? Would it be possible to ask the exam centre to set up a keyboard shortcut so I can switch between the two?

Adele69

I think you'd need to pop in to wherever you planned to do your assessment and ask (and possibly explain if they are open to doing it).

Before that though, you may want to try using it on your own PC while doing a AAT practice assessment in Study Support as there may be unexpected issues with the page you won't know about which would be awkward if having setup to use in an exam prevented you from completing.

It appears to be easy enough to setup from Control Panel, but I've sat in some of the most uncomfortable chairs in the universe with barely space to move a mouse, so some venues are just there to cash in and cram in. My last at Pitman, I had a small room to myself and very comfy chair, they'd have probably set this up if I'd asked.

Ease of Access Center: Make the keyboard easier to use - See also
> Add a Dvorak keyboard and change other keyboard input settings
> Keyboards and Languages tab - Change Keyboards
> Add - United Kingdom - Show More
United State - Dvorak

mcchoc

I'd always go for the Yamaha keyboard myself. Reasonable quality at a fair price.

Saga

Thanks @Adele69. I may just grasp the nettle and ask them. I suppose I was really wondering if anyone had already done this really.
I just have a quick keyboard shortcut set up at home/work to flip between keyboards; obviously tricky at an exam centre of course. I’ve done all the practice assessments in DVORAK mode at home; good point, it could be tricky in the exam set up.

PolarisDyas

I really recommend getting used to QWERTY. You can train to type with both effectively (My speed: 126wpm dvorak 118 qwerty). The way I do it is only use QWERTY at home (so I can play games without having to remap my keys all the time) and DVORAK at work. I can now pretty much switch on command, and even mid sentence without any issue whatsoever.

Do note, the exams are only a very small part of your career and the real problems will surface when your future employers refuse to let you use dvorak. I'm very lucky that my employer lets me use dvorak but if they need to check my computer for any reason all hell breaks loose.

Kuods for using dvorak, you're the first person I've seen who actively uses it. It's such a dream to type on, I couldn't believe just how much better than qwerty it is!!!! I would NEVER switch back if I didn't have to and I think it's a real shame that it wasn't standardized when it came out.

Best of luck, P