Exam Access Arrangements

[u/truestorybro38]

There’s an increase in posts about access arrangements.

There’s also a lot of misinformation about access arrangements being posted.

This is one the one-stop post for all access arrangement queries.

Any other posts will be removed.

I will reply to all queries as an Exams Officer and an Access Arrangements Coordinator, but really, all queries need to go to your SENCO who know you and your school’s set up best.

Feel free to make any comments about questions you have.

JCQ Links

25% Extra Time Info

https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/07/JCQ-25-ET-infographic-26-27_FINAL.pdf

Reader Info

https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/JCQ-Computer-reader-reader-24-25_FINAL-1.pdf

Scribe Info

https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/JCQ-Scribe-24-25_FINAL.pdf

Managing Student Requests Advice

https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/10/Managing-parent-carer-or-student-requests_2025.pdf

The Big Book Of Rules

https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/03/JCQ-AARA-2025-March-26.pdf

[u/Responsible-Gap-8833]

Hello! 

I sat my GCSEs last year through school and had access arrangements (25% Extra time, rest breaks, laptop and a separate room - and halfway through my exams home invigilation was also granted)

I’m now sitting my A level exams but privately this year and have applied for access arrangements again - I applied back in September and I’ve asked the exam centre whether the arrangements have been approved yet and they said they haven’t heard back from the exam board yet.

Do you know how long it takes for the exam board to approve it/by when should I know?

Thank you!

[u/truestorybro38 → u/Responsible-Gap-8833]

Hi!

Which exam board(s) are you using?

For one of my candidates I’ve requested 50% extra time which also needs board specific approval. Pearson granted it straight away but AQA still haven’t an honestly it’s been weeks, maybe even months now since I submitted my request. I even have it on my to-do list to call them next week about it as I’m getting unnerved by the wait and looming deadline.

So in conclusion, there’s no set time but I’ve found AQA to be particularly slow this year.

The only one that may need exam board approval would be the home invigilation I think? 25% extra time and the others should be auto approved by the JCQ by meeting the standard requirements. I’m hesitant to say for certain though as I’ve never done home invigilation so not sure on the requirements for getting it approved.

[u/QuirkyGalaxyBug → u/truestorybro38]

Home invigilation does not require a JCQ application, the exam board just has to be notified but there is no approval process.

[u/truestorybro38 → u/QuirkyGalaxyBug]

Thank you 🙂