The SASC Route to Maths Assessment

SASC Guidance:
Assessment of Maths Difficulties and Dyscalculia 2026

If you already hold an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC) for SpLD (Dyslexia), the route to adding Dyscalculia/SpLD Math to your remit is specialised. Although you may already have strong assessment skills, the focus shifts to demonstrating specific competency in the understanding of mathematical cognitive processing, attainment and the evaluation of maths difficulties.

SASC (SpLD Assessment Standards Committee) requires you to ensure you are eligible to carry out assessments for maths difficulties.
See: SASC Maths Difficulties Guidance March 2025, table 3, page 15

Identify Your Pathway
There are two primary ways to add “Dyscalculia/SpLD Maths” to your APC, depending on your prior training:

• Pathway A (Recent Specialist Qualification): You have recently completed a SASC-approved Level 7 postgraduate qualification specifically in Dyscalculia/Maths assessment
• Pathway B (Experience & Short Courses): You have significant experience in teaching and assessing maths difficulties, and have completed appropriate training – approved CPD (Continuing Professional Development) specifically focused on maths difficulties.

To help you decide if you have the relevant qualifications and experience to obtain an APC with maths qualifications, or via the APEL route
See: The Dyslexia Guild’s Maths APC Routes Flowchart

Core Requirements

Regardless of the pathway, you must demonstrate:

• Theoretical Knowledge: Understanding the development of numerical abilities and the nature of maths difficulties, through teaching

• Testing Competency: Mastery of specific math-based assessment tools

• Report Writing: The ability to synthesise math-specific data into a formal SASC-compliant report.

The Dyslexia Guild are offering a free ‘Pre-check’ process
(for Guild members with Member-MDG or Fellow-FDG membership status)

If you hold an SpLD literacy assessment qualification at HEQF level 7 i.e., PG assessment certificate or diploma eligible for MDG or FDG with the Guild you are eligible to proceed with the following ‘pre-check’ process. Please note: Incomplete forms will not be accepted.

Pre-Check process (MDG or FDG members):

1.Gather Evidence: You should have the following to hand for upload:

• Qualification certificates focused on your maths training
• A detailed up to date CV which evidences:
  • relevant reaching of students with maths difficulties (20 hours)
  • maths assessment experience (20 hours)
• A Log showing extensive maths-specific CPD training

2. Access the “Pre-check form here 

3. Complete the form (uploading required documents where necessary, incomplete forms will not be accepted)

4. Submit the completed form.

Next steps (once the pre-check form is submitted and confirmed as eligible)

Approval of your pre-check documents typically takes 10 business days. Once confirmed, you’ll receive a link to submit your payment of £495 (inc. VAT) fee. Once payment is confirmed you’ll be invited to upload your maths assessment to our VLE Moodle (this may take 7-10 days).

Important: Payment and submission do not guarantee eligibility. All applications undergo a review of the maths report; we reserve the right to reject applications without a refund if they do not meet our final criteria. Resubmissions will incur the same fee. Two months is required before resubmission will be considered. 

Please note: this APEL route will be available until 31st December 2029, after which completion of a formal SASC accredited course will be required.  

If you have any queries please email: apc@dyslexiaaction.org.uk or call +44 (0) 1784-222342.