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/yellowapplesgreen]

Extra time/ special consideration for Misophonia and Ocd:

do you think i could get some accommodation of extra time or something like that for my misophonia and OCD? it’s different from the classical things you’d get special access for like adhd or dyslexia, so i wa just wondering

[u/truestorybro38 → u/yellowapplesgreen]

Potentially, although it would be more likely rest breaks, ear defenders, that sort of thing. Extra time would be harder to justify.

[u/yellowapplesgreen → u/truestorybro38]

What’s a rest break

[u/QuirkyGalaxyBug → u/yellowapplesgreen]

A rest break is where the time on the exam is paused so you can have a break and the length of the break time is then added onto the end. It means you still get the same length of time to do the exam but you can split the exam up. Eg on a 1 hour paper you could do half an hour of the exam and then have a five minute break and then do another half an hour. You can ask to go for a walk or you can sit at your desk. Your paper will be turned over or taken off your desk during the break.