Tailor testing and exams for Dyslexic Thinking

  • 10 minutes

Empower Dyslexic Thinkers for the future.

The school to work pipeline

Dyslexic Thinking is highly valued in the workplace. LinkedIn, the world’s biggest careers platform, recognizes it. And some of the biggest global employers–HSBC, EY and Microsoft–actively recruit for it. Dyslexic Thinking skills are an exact match for the skills identified in the World Economic Forum’s Top Skills For The Future report.

Top five skills:

  • Analytical thinking
  • Creative thinking
  • Resilience, flexibility, and agility
  • Motivation and self-awareness
  • Curiosity and life-long learning

But recruiters say the world of education needs to catch up and begin to recognize and nurture Dyslexic Thinking skills. Leading educators agree that schools, universities, and workplaces need to work together to prepare learners for the rapidly changing workplace.

Additional information on the school to work pipeline

Reflection questions on the school to work pipeline

  • One in five children in the classroom have dyslexia and are hard-wired with the top five skills workplaces are now seeking. How can you create a culture in your classroom where these thinkers thrive?
  • We need to move from an education system that helps children to memorize facts to an education system that rewards creativity, curiosity, analytical thinking, and resilience. How does your classroom do this?

Standardized tests and Dyslexic Thinking

Standardized tests are challenging for dyslexics, with their emphasis on memorizing information, assimilating knowledge, and relaying it in timed tests. AI has already been proven to ace standardized tests—doing better than most humans! But in a world where humans use AI as a copilot, it’s the human ability to think differently that employers are placing value on. Over time, educators will need to rethink how to assess learners to prepare them for workplaces they'll enter.

But here are five ways we can support Dyslexic Thinkers in tests and assessment today.

Five ways to support Dyslexic Thinkers today:

  • Offer a range of ways to showcase work.
  • Focus on coursework and project-led assignments.
  • Acknowledge tests are difficult but Dyslexic Thinking skills are the skills of the future.
  • Give adjustments to level the playing field including time and technology.
  • Place more emphasis on preparing learners for life.

Note

Tech tip: Explore ways to use Microsoft OneNote and Whiteboard to support Dyslexic Thinkers with organization and communication.

Additional information on standardized tests and Dyslexic Thinking

  • Open Made By Dyslexia’s Education Guide for a video of Andreas Schleicher, Director for Education and Skills at the OECD, discussing exams and standardized tests with Kate Griggs, founder of Made By Dyslexia.
  • Find out why tests are tricky for learners with dyslexia by completing this unit on memory, organization, and concentration.
  • For more information on tools that help level the playing field, check out Microsoft Learning Accelerators.

Reflection questions on standardized tests and Dyslexic Thinking

  • Are there different ways to test learner’s understanding of a topic that allow them to use their Dyslexic Thinking skills? Video platforms allow communicators to shine.
  • What adjustments can you introduce to ensure every dyslexic learner can overcome their challenges in tests and use their strengths to the full?