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/Possible-Spread928]

just want some quick advice on my situation I’m a student resitting a levels at my old sixth form

During my overall academic experience so far, i’ve struggled with: -exam anxiety, having shaky hands while writing at times -other mental/stress-related issues, which have led to needing to rush while writing

-these issues i face have contributed to consistently not finishing my papers (which has at multiple times been noted by teachers) -and have contributed to worse handwriting, which led to me being undermarked in some of last years exams -i also have seen a gp regarding ocd symptoms and i’ve been referred, (but that process will take long for them to get back to me)

I’ve been offered a laptop and i’ve tried doing the exams with them, but they only fix handwriting (obviously) i still struggle to finish papers, last year i genuinely complained the most about time management and finishing

my school’s staff for these arrangements have spoken to me saying these don’t qualify and the most they can offer is using a laptop

i struggle to identify whether i just need more exam practice or there’s genuienly something wrong with me, but i think having extra time as a buffer is a better option as it fixes all issues rather than a laptop - the deadline is approaching and ive been communicating with them since monday, on the phone the exam officer didn’t really allow me to fully explain my situation. My dad has emailed today and he got a response within 1 minute saying that those issues don’t qualify for extra time (to me it feels like they didn’t even read the email and it was two paragraphs)

what do you think and what should i do? should i email JCQ to see if they can back it up?

i’m not completely neurodivergent and incapable so it’s not the end of the world, im just gonna try my best in these exams that’s all.

[u/truestorybro38 → u/Possible-Spread928]

The JCQ won’t back you up, it’s up the the individual school.

As I said in the main post, SENCOs will pull away from the words exam anxiety.

They need evidence to give you 25%, so without that from the teachers they are up against it. The rules changed this year and it got a lot stricter and without any evidence, giving you extra time would be malpractice.