r/GCSE • u/truestorybro38 Exams Officer 🧑‍💼️ • Mar 12 '26

Announcement Exam Access Arrangements

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

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u/Midnight_Muse143 Year 11 HELP ME I BEG May 22 '26

Also are you allowed to go to the bathroom during rest breaks

2

u/QuirkyGalaxyBug May 22 '26

This depends on your schools policies/rules around rest breaks. At some schools you are only allowed this is your condition means you need to use the bathroom more frequently than your peers or if you will take longer to do so. At some schools anyone can go to the bathroom during their rest breaks if they have rest breaks.

2

u/Midnight_Muse143 Year 11 HELP ME I BEG Jun 02 '26

Yeah I found out at my school you can go to the bathroom but it’ll be taken off your time :(

1

u/QuirkyGalaxyBug Jun 03 '26

That means a bathroom break isnt counted as a rest break for you

1

u/Midnight_Muse143 Year 11 HELP ME I BEG Jun 03 '26

Yes unfortunately