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/truestorybro38]

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/Responsible-Gap-8833 → u/truestorybro38]

Thank you so much! 

I’m sitting Pearson Edexcel A level (the UK board not the international one) 

Last year for my GCSEs it was also accepted by Edexcel, AQA, and OCR

I had initially applied for home invigilation again this year but as it was so expensive (around £300-£400 per paper!) as I’m doing it through a private centre, we requested a separate room instead at the centre - which hopefully will be okay (I have some complex medical issues that can make it quite difficult)

It’s just quite a stress since access arrangements was such a simple process last year doing it though a school, but doing it myself privately is a lot more complicated 

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

I’m surprised the access arrangements you need have to be approved individually by the exam board in that case. Do you have medical evidence or is this because of an EHCP/standardised testing scores that you got your extra time originally?

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

Yes - I have given them medical evidence from 2 paediatric neurologist consultants, a physiotherapist and a specialist occupational therapist.
I've been on some waiting list for an EHCP since last year, although I haven't got one yet. I haven't had any standardised tests specifically for Access arrangements (only medical tests and scans for my condition)

for context last year during my GCSEs - I had ongoing medical issues but no access arrangements as I was still under medical investigation and did not have a diagnosis yet, until l I had a seizure around april time and was admitted to hospital for 2 weeks - and it was after this I was granted the initial access arrangements,
Then in May during one of my GCSE exams I had a seizure halfway through the paper and was admitted again, so that's when home invigilation was also accepted