Language, Literacy and Numeracy Requirements and Support Options

Kaplan Professional courses are delivered and assessed in English and require you to read comprehensive learner workbooks, complete a range of written assessments, undertake independent research activities and at times engage in online forums and discussions. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication.

If you have any doubts about whether you have the language, literacy and numeracy skills to undertake a Kaplan Professional program, please contact us to discuss your circumstances.

If you need additional support, there are a number of organisations who provide English language and literacy services. Some suggestions are listed below:

The Australian Government Language Literacy and Numeracy Program
The Reading Writing Hotline
Kaplan International English
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)

Please note that fees and charges for these services may apply and will be the responsibility of the student.

Some courses/subjects may have prerequisite requirements that you must meet prior to commencing study. Please check the ‘Entry requirements’ section of the relevant course page.

If your course/subject has a prerequisite, you will need to submit evidence of fulfilling this requirement to Kaplan Professional. Certified copies of academic records showing completion of the pre-requisite requirements can be sent to enrolments@kaplan.edu.au

To successfully complete studies with Kaplan Professional, individuals will require basic computing skills. This may include:

• Saving and editing Microsoft Office documents
• Researching, accessing and searching the internet
• Downloading and saving documents from websites
• Uploading documents through websites
• Making an audio recording using a smartphone, tablet or computer
• Participating in online discussions

Recommended browsers

You can access KapLearn using any of the browsers below, but it runs best on the latest versions:

• Firefox 3 or later
• Chrome 4 or later
• Safari 3 or later
• Internet Explorer

You may find it helpful to have more than one browser installed on your computer. If you experience problems using Kaplan Professional’s online learning system, try using another browser.

Browser settings and support

For the best user experience in Kaplan Professional’s online learning system, select the following browser settings:

• Enable cookies
• Enable JavaScript
• Do not block pop-up windows

Audio recording app

You will need to use a free or paid audio-recording app on your phone, tablet or computer to record and submit your oral assignment. Most devices come with a free built-in audio/voice-recording app. More information should be available in your device manual or on the device manufacturer’s website. Below are help links for some popular devices.

• Apple iOS
• Apple (mac OS)
• Samsung (Android)
• HTC (Android)
• Windows 10

Students will require a calculator that has, as a minimum, the ability to raise numbers to a power (usually a xy or a ^ button). Some subjects also require processing of numbers to eight (8) decimal places.

A financial calculator is required for some subjects, and is likely to meet your long-term requirements in the financial services industry. There are a range of financial calculators available and while Kaplan Professional does not recommend a specific financial calculator, the list below provides a range of popular options for students to consider based on their needs:

• Casio FC-200V
• Hewlett Packard 12C series
• Insystem IN-F16
• Sharp EL-738 series
• Texas Instruments BAII Plus

Please note: calculators or other electronic devices (e.g. hand-held computers/devices, translation devices, MP3 players, and mobile phones) that have the ability to store and display text are not permitted in examinations. Please see below for further information on calculator standards and restrictions.

Conditions of use in an examination

Calculators are permitted into an examination under the following conditions:

• The examination paper must specify a calculator is permitted
• Calculators must be provided by the candidate and not shared with other candidates
• Before entering the examination area, calculators must be removed from cases and these must remain outside the examination area
• No additional time will be given if a calculator breaks down during the examination

Calculator standards

The following standards apply to the calculators permitted in an examination:

• No hand-held personal computers of any description can be taken into the examination
• Calculators with retrieval or manipulation of text, external communications or dictionaries are not permitted
• Calculators with writing or significant markings on their body are not permitted
• Calculators must be silent, and have visual display only
• Any stored data must be cleared before the calculator is taken into the examination

Calculators that fail to comply with these standards will be confiscated for the duration of the examination. Additionally, any calculator seen to display a string of text on its screen will be confiscated for the duration of the exam.

Restricted calculators

The following calculator types are expressly not permitted in an examination:

• Programmable calculators are not permitted; these calculators have the ability to download and run complex computer programs and usually have an inbuilt QWERTY (or other alphabetic) keyboard
• Graphing calculators are not permitted; these calculators have the ability to build and solve complex mathematical problems and display solutions in a graphical manner. Graphing calculators usually have a large screen for display purposes.

The above calculators will be confiscated for the duration of the examination.  Again, any calculator with retrieval or manipulation of text, external communications or dictionaries is not permitted.

If you have a condition or special learning need which impacts on your ability to study or to complete assessment, the following application processes are available to you:

• For a condition or special learning need existing at the time of your initial enrolment, refer to the Reasonable Adjustment Form.
• For a condition or special need that occurs during the course of your study, refer to the Special Consideration Form.

Further information regarding these processes can be found in our Assessment Policy.

Please make us aware of your circumstances prior to commencing study or as soon as possible thereafter. You can click here to request assistance and a member of our Student Resolutions team will contact you to discuss appropriate support options.