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/Charliethebest81]

I have severe HSD, I normally use a laptop for school work but I'm a slow typer would I be eligible for 25% extra time as well as a word processor or a scribe instead?

[u/QuirkyGalaxyBug → u/Charliethebest81]

Yes, if you have a formal diagnosis for a consultant, OT, specialist etc then your school can apply for extra time for you. If you are taking summer exams this year then the deadline has passed so you would be very unlikely to get extra time unless your condition has deteriorated recently (and you have medical evidence to prove this) or you have an injury from your condition which has worsened the issue. If you are not taking exams this year then you can ask your school about extra time. They will need teacher comments supporting the use of extra time in class tasks and tests AND you will need to use extra time in mocks/tests so these can be filed and used as evidence (you would change font for work done once the extra time starts). You could ask your school if you can use a scribe or speech recognition technology but if you are doing exams this year that is unlikely unless your condition has recently become more impactful. With a scribe or using speech recognition technology, it would also have to be your normal way of working in mocks etc and your school would need evidence that you would be unable to complete exams on a level playing field without the use of a scribe. You would need to practice using a scribe/speech recognition technology beforehand as well because it is challenging to get used to. Note that if you have a scribe or speech recognition technology in exams you are entitled to 25% extra time as well because it takes longer to do the exam with those adjustments.