Exam Access Arrangements for GCSEs and A-levels: FAQs
Exams can be challenging, but for students with special educational needs and disabilities, they can present additional barriers. To ensure that everyone has a fair chance to succeed, access arrangements are available. These are adjustments made before or during exams to help reduce any disadvantage you might face.
This factsheet answers common questions about access arrangements. It explains who is eligible, what type of support is available, how to apply, and when to apply.
Note: When we say ‘exam centre’ in this factsheet, we mean the place where you take your exams—this could be your school, college, or any institution authorised to conduct exams.
1. What are access arrangements?
2. What is the JCQ and what role do they play in exams?
3. Who can get access arrangements?
4. What types of access arrangements can I get?
Awarding body-approved arrangements
5. What evidence do I need for access arrangements?
6. How does my exam centre establish my normal way of working?
7. Do I need a formal diagnosis to get access arrangements?
9. How do I apply for access arrangements?
10. What is special consideration, and how is it different from access arrangements?
11. When’s the deadline for applying for access arrangements?
12. What if my access arrangements aren’t approved?
1. What are access arrangements?
If you have a special educational need or disability that puts you at a substantial disadvantage in exams, special arrangements can be made to help level the playing field. These are known as access arrangements and fall under reasonable adjustments outlined in the Equality Act 2010.
Examples of access arrangements include:
- Extra time to complete your exam
- Taking supervised rest breaks
- Using assistive technology like a laptop or screen reader
- Receiving exam papers in large print or Braille
These arrangements are designed to meet your needs without affecting the integrity of the assessment.
2. What is the JCQ and what role do they play in exams?
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) oversees how most GCSEs, AS levels, and A-levels are managed in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. They work with major exam boards like AQA, OCR, Pearson, and WJEC to ensure exams are run fairly and consistently. A list of the exam boards can be found here.
The JCQ sets the rules for how exams should be conducted, including how Disabled students or students with special educational needs can access support through access arrangements. Every September, JCQ updates its guidelines, and schools, colleges, and exam centres must follow these rules. JCQ also sends inspectors to exam centres each year to ensure these rules are being properly followed.
If you need extra support in your exams, such as additional time or assistive technology, it’s JCQ’s regulations that explain how you can apply for and receive that support.
For full details, you can access the JCQ Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments guidance here.
3. Who can get access arrangements?
Access arrangements are available if you have a special educational need, a disability, or a temporary injury (for example, a broken arm before an exam).
JCQ recognises four categories of need:
- Cognition and learning needs – for example, dyslexia, dyscalculia
- Communication and interaction needs – for example, autism, speech difficulties
- Sensory and physical needs – for example, visual or hearing impairments, physical disabilities
- Social, emotional, and mental health needs – for example, ADHD, depression
Eligibility depends on evidence of need and your normal way of working. For example, if you typically take breaks during lessons due to concentration difficulties, you might qualify for rest breaks in exams.
4. What types of access arrangements can I get?
Centre-delegated arrangements
These can be approved by your exam centre without needing prior approval from the exam board. Examples include:
- Using coloured overlays
- Taking supervised rest breaks
- Sitting exams in a separate room
- Using a word processor or laptop
Your exam centre must keep records of evidence of need. JCQ inspectors can ask to inspect files.
Awarding body-approved arrangements
These require formal approval from the exam board. Examples include:
- 25% extra time
- Use of a scribe
- Use of a reader or computer reader
- A practical assistant for physical support during exams
- Listening to music or white noise if it helps concentration
5. What evidence do I need for access arrangements?
The required evidence depends on the type of arrangement the exam centre is applying for. JCQ updates its regulations annually, but types of evidence include:
- Documentation of your normal way of working (see question 6)
- Specialist assessments from Level 7 qualified specialist assessors
- Reports from professionals such as occupational therapists, speech therapists, or physiotherapists outlining how your condition impacts your exam performance
6. How does my exam centre establish my normal way of working?
Your Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCo) will gather evidence to show your normal way of working through:
- Feedback from teachers on how you work in class
- Notes from support lessons or interventions
- Evidence from mock exams or internal assessments
- Records of previous access arrangements
- Work samples that highlight specific difficulties
- Screening tests or assessments from professionals
7. Do I need a formal diagnosis to get access arrangements?
A formal diagnosis isn’t always necessary. If you meet the definition of a disabled person under the Equality Act 2010, and there’s clear evidence of need, you could still be eligible if the arrangement reflects your normal way of working.
For example:
- If you have documented difficulties with processing information, you might qualify for extra time.
- If you regularly use a laptop in class without a formal diagnosis, you might still be allowed to use it in exams.
Having a disability or special educational need doesn’t automatically entitle you to access arrangements—each application is reviewed individually.
8. Does having an Education, Health, and Care (EHC) Plan automatically guarantee access arrangements?
No, having an EHC Plan doesn’t guarantee access arrangements. However, it can be used as supporting evidence. Your exam centre still needs to demonstrate why specific arrangements are necessary and that they reflect your normal way of working.
9. How do I apply for access arrangements?
If you attend an exam centre
- Inform your SENCo about your needs as early as possible.
- The SENCo or a specialist assessor will evaluate your needs.
- Evidence will be collected to support your application.
- Your school will submit the request through an online system called Access Arrangements Online (AAO).
- Once approved, your school will inform you of the arrangements. You won’t hear directly from the exam board.
- The approved arrangements will be implemented for your exams.
If you’re a private candidate
If you’re not enrolled in a traditional school or college, you are considered a private candidate. To apply for access arrangements:
- Find an exam centre that accepts private candidates. A list can be found on the JCQ website.
- Contact the centre early to discuss your needs.
- Provide supporting evidence, such as:
- Specialist reports (e.g., from educational psychologists)
- Evidence from previous exams where arrangements were in place
Start this process well in advance, as exam centres have their own deadlines.
10. What is special consideration, and how is it different from access arrangements?
Special consideration is when your mark or grade is adjusted after the exam due to unforeseen circumstances, such as illness, injury, or disruptions during the exam. It can also apply if the school fails to implement previously agreed access arrangements.
In contrast, access arrangements are pre-planned adjustments made before the exam based on evidence of need.
11. When’s the deadline for applying for access arrangements?
Deadlines vary depending on the exam and arrangement. For the Summer 2025 exam series:
- Modified papers (e.g., large print or Braille): Apply by 31 January 2025
- All other access arrangements: Apply by 21 March 2025
Late applications may be accepted for unexpected injuries or newly diagnosed conditions after the deadlines.
12. What if my access arrangements aren’t approved?
If your exam centre believes an access arrangement is essential but the exam board rejects it, the school or college can appeal on your behalf. You cannot appeal directly to the exam board.
If you or your parents feel your school didn’t apply for necessary arrangements, contact your SENCo first. If you’re unsatisfied with the response, follow your school or college’s complaints process. See our Making a Complaint factsheet for more information.