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Emergency

Disadvantage compensation in school and exams: enforce the claim

Students with a disability, chronic illness or certain partial-performance disorders (e.g. dyslexia) have a claim to disadvantage compensation, for example more time, different task formats or aids. The goal is equal opportunity, without lowering the requirements.

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Your chances of getting your money back

Disadvantage compensation is meant to offset disadvantages caused by disability or illness (e.g. time extension, aids, oral instead of written) without lowering the level of requirements. The claim follows from school law and the prohibition of disadvantage.
The compensation is as a rule granted on application and with evidence (medical or school-psychological statement). Unlike grade protection, a mere disadvantage compensation is usually not noted on the report card.

What you should do now

  1. 1

    1. Obtain evidence

    Get medical or school-psychological statements that prove the need.

  2. 2

    2. File the application

    File an application for disadvantage compensation with the school and propose concrete measures.

  3. 3

    3. Ensure implementation

    Make sure the compensation is applied consistently in exams and the final degree too.

  4. 4

    4. Act on a rejection

    If the compensation is refused, you can file an objection and turn to the school supervisory authority.

How to spot the scam

  • An approved disadvantage compensation is not implemented in exams.
  • The application is rejected without engaging with the evidence.
  • Disadvantage compensation and grade protection are confused.

Frequently asked questions

What is disadvantage compensation?

An adjustment of the exam and learning conditions that offsets disadvantages caused by disability or illness, for example more time, aids or a different task format. The level of requirements remains the same; it is about equal opportunity.

Who is entitled to it?

Students with a disability, chronic illness or certain partial-performance disorders such as a reading-writing weakness. The need is as a rule proven by medical or school-psychological statements.

Does the disadvantage compensation appear on the report card?

A mere disadvantage compensation is as a rule not noted on the report card, because the level of requirements remains unchanged. It can be different with grade protection, which changes the assessment itself, that must be applied for and reviewed separately.

Take action now

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General information for self-help, not legal advice (RDG). In case of a high loss or uncertainty: contact a consumer advice center or a lawyer.