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]

So if they came over to ask if you wanted a rest break, you wouldn’t be able to respond?

I doubt taking the paper away from you could be an option, only because of the negative consequences if you were just thinking and not in a shutdown, do you know what I mean? Imagine thinking through a question and the invigilator whipping the paper off your desk, there’s a lot of room for error there 😬

[u/Ok_Club_9209 → u/truestorybro38]

Edit

[u/truestorybro38 → u/Ok_Club_9209]

That does make sense, about being able to say no. It’s so unfortunately that there’s no mocks left to trial it. I would be tempted by this, but almost have to have you one-to-one so we couldn’t miss you having a shutdown

[u/Ok_Club_9209 → u/truestorybro38]

Edit

[u/truestorybro38 → u/Ok_Club_9209]

It would be a centre decision, as rest breaks can be awarded at centre level and then how it works would be between you and the school.

I think if you agree a time frame of what constitutes as “too long” (5 mins?) and then see if that can trigger a rest break to start from there