Reading, spelling and writing don't come easily to everyone, and for some, the difficulty is more than an off day here and there. If it's ongoing, stressful, or doesn't match up with a student's strengths in other areas, it may be worth learning more about dyslexia.
This dyslexia quiz won't give you a diagnosis. It's a self-reflection tool to help students, parents and adult learners notice learning patterns that are sometimes linked to dyslexia. The British Dyslexia Association (BDA) describes dyslexia as a specific learning difficulty that primarily affects reading and spelling, and estimates it affects around 1 in 10 people in the UK.¹ Dyslexia can make reading, spelling, writing and processing written information harder, but it has nothing to do with intelligence or eyesight.²
Work through the questions below and think honestly about your reading, writing and study experiences. Choose the answer that fits best:
Quiz
Quiz :
What Your Quiz Result May Suggest
Your result isn't a diagnosis, and it's not meant to be. Think of it as a starting point for deciding whether it's worth asking for extra support, trying new learning strategies, or getting advice from a professional.
If your answers point to several dyslexia-related signs, it may help to talk to a teacher, parent, GP, or school counsellor. A qualified professional, usually an educational psychologist, is the one who can actually diagnose dyslexia.
What Is Dyslexia?
Dyslexia is a learning difference that makes it harder to read accurately, read fluently, spell correctly or process written language quickly. Plenty of students with dyslexia grasp ideas easily when they hear them, discuss them or see them visually — it's the written tasks that tend to slow them down.
Dyslexia ranges from mild to more significant and it doesn't always show up at the same age. For some students, it's obvious in primary school as reading and spelling develop. For others, it only becomes noticeable in secondary school, further education (FE college), university or the workplace, once reading loads and written assessments pick up.
Dyslexia can affect how easily a person reads, spells and processes written information.
How Common Are Dyslexia and Learning Support Needs?
Dyslexia is recognised internationally as one of the most common learning differences. The Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity states that dyslexia affects 20% of the population and represents 80–90% of all people with learning disabilities.³
Learning adjustments are also common across English schools. According to the Department for Education (DfE), over 1.7 million pupils in England have special needs (SEN), which is an increase of 5.6% of pupils since 20244. Of those, specific learning difficulties (which include dyslexia) were the most commonly identified type of primary need among pupils with SEN support.
pupils in England are identified as having special needs (SEN).
That figure isn't specific to dyslexia, but it shows just how many students need some form of support to access learning on the same footing as their classmates.
How Dyslexia Can Show Up
Dyslexia can look quite different depending on age, learning environment and individual strengths.
Some students may read slowly, find it hard to sound out unfamiliar words, struggle with reading fluency or have ongoing spelling difficulties. Others may avoid reading aloud, find written text harder to understand or have trouble organising their ideas clearly in writing.
Some also feel anxious or frustrated about reading and writing, especially after years of being told to "try harder" without actually getting the right support. Dyslexia isn't laziness; many students with dyslexia work incredibly hard. Often, the real issue is that the way they're being taught, assessed or supported hasn't caught up with the way they actually learn.
Where Can Students Get Help for Dyslexia?
If dyslexia may be affecting reading, spelling, writing or study confidence, the next step is to ask for support. The right pathway depends on the student’s age and learning environment.
Talk to someone trusted
School students can start by speaking with a classroom teacher, year tutor, SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), school counsellor or parent. Adult learners can contact a tutor, course coordinator or workplace learning adviser. Every state-funded school in England is required by law to have a SENCO.
Ask about learning adjustments
Students with dyslexia or suspected dyslexia may benefit from adjustments such as extra time in exams, audiobooks, speech-to-text tools, modified tasks or alternative ways to demonstrate understanding. For students with more significant needs, a formal Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) can be requested through the local authority — this sets out the support a young person is entitled to receive.5
Consider a professional assessment
A formal dyslexia assessment usually requires an assessment from a qualified professional, such as an educational psychologist or a specialist dyslexia assessor. A GP, the school's SENCO, or a local authority advisory teacher can explain the next steps and refer you to the right service.
Useful Resources in the UK
If you are looking for dyslexia information, assessment guidance or learning support in the UK, these resources are a good place to start:
| Organisation | Who it's for | What it offers |
|---|---|---|
| British Dyslexia Association (BDA) | Children, adults, parents, teachers | The UK's leading dyslexia charity. Offers information on signs of dyslexia, finding accredited assessors, rights in education and the workplace, and a helpline for advice |
| NHS — Dyslexia | Everyone | Plain-English overview of dyslexia symptoms, how diagnosis works, and how to get a referral through your GP or school |
| GOV.UK — SEN support and EHCP | Parents, school-age children | Official government guidance on getting SEN support at school, requesting an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) and understanding your legal rights |
| Dyslexia Action | Children, adults, teachers | Registered charity offering specialist dyslexia assessments, one-to-one tuition, and teacher training programmes across the UK |
| Helen Arkell Dyslexia Charity | Children, adults, parents, teachers | Specialist assessments, individual tuition, and a free advice helpline; also runs training courses for educators |
| Patoss | Parents, adults seeking diagnosis | Professional body for specialist teachers and assessors; directory helps you find a qualified dyslexia assessor near you |
| Xtraordinary People | Children, parents | Awareness and support organisation for children with dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties, with a focus on early identification |
| Made By Dyslexia | Children, young people, employers | Global charity founded by dyslexic leaders; shares positive stories, practical tools and employer resources to reframe dyslexia as a strength |
Can a Tutor Help with Dyslexia?
A tutor cannot diagnose dyslexia, but the right tutor can help students build confidence and practical skills. For example, a tutor may support reading practice, homework routines, study planning and exam preparation. A tutor experienced in literacy support can help students work through these skills patiently and in a way that actually sticks.
When looking for a tutor, consider someone who understands that every student learns differently. On Superprof, students and families can find experienced tutors who offer literacy, study skills and learning support, helping learners practise at their own pace in a patient and encouraging environment. Better marks matter, but so does helping a student feel capable, independent and confident along the way.
References
- British Dyslexia Association. (n.d.). What is dyslexia? BDA. https://www.bdadyslexia.org.uk/dyslexia/about-dyslexia/what-is-dyslexia
- NHS. (2023). Dyslexia. NHS. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/dyslexia/
- Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity. (n.d.). Dyslexia FAQ. Yale University. https://dyslexia.yale.edu/dyslexia/dyslexia-faq/
- Department for Education. (2025). Special educational needs in England: 2024–25. DfE. https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/special-educational-needs-in-england/2024-25
- UK Government. (2015, updated 2023). SEND code of practice: 0 to 25 years. GOV.UK. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25
Summarise with AI:
Did you like this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
