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Special Access

Special Access Guidelines(Joint Council for Qualifications-JCQ)

The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) is a membership organisation made up of the eight major qualification providers in the UK, including all awarding bodies that offer GCSE and GCE qualifications. Its main goal is to make things easier for schools and colleges by streamlining and standardising the administrative processes involved in running examinations.

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CIE Special Access

Cambridge Assessment International Education

Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) is one of the world’s leading providers of international qualifications, both in the UK and globally. Unlike UK-regulated awarding bodies, CAIE operates independently and sets its own policies for administering assessments and managing Access Arrangements. While their procedures are broadly similar to those of other awarding bodies, CAIE maintains some distinct differences in how these processes are carried out.

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Access Arrangements – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

At Exam Centre London, we aim to ensure that every candidate has a fair opportunity to perform to the best of their ability. Here are answers to common questions regarding access arrangements for exams. If you have any further queries, please feel free to reach out to us.

Access arrangements are adjustments made for candidates who have special educational needs, disabilities, or temporary medical conditions. These adjustments are designed to provide a level playing field for all candidates without altering the assessment's difficulty. Common arrangements include extra time, the use of a word processor, readers or scribes, and supervised rest breaks.
We accept a variety of supporting evidence, including but not limited to:
  • A previous Form 8 from your school or college (or a new assessment by our SEN Specialist).
  • Reports from teachers, tutors, or healthcare professionals.
  • Samples of written work completed at our centre.
  • A mock exam (unmarked, completed either at the centre or via Edexams).
All evidence must be original documents, not copies. Please note that submitting evidence does not guarantee approval. The final decision rests with the exam awarding body.
The exam boards require evidence that the access arrangements you are requesting align with your normal way of working. As a private centre, we do not have historical data on your previous needs, so a mock exam allows us to demonstrate that the requested adjustments are necessary and effective.
A Form 8 Assessment is carried out by one of our qualified specialists. It assesses various areas such as:
  • Reading accuracy and speed
  • Writing speed
  • Spelling
  • Comprehension
  • Processing speed
The assessment results help determine which access arrangements are best suited to your needs.
No, we do not charge for access arrangement applications, Form 8 assessments, or processing related to confirmed exam entries. However, there is a fee for mock exams used specifically for access arrangements. The fee for an unmarked mock exam is £80.
The decision-making process depends on the exam awarding body. We aim to submit your application well ahead of their deadline to ensure adequate time for review and approval. Once the decision is made, we will notify you.
Phones are not allowed in the exam room, except for medical reasons. If you need to monitor your blood sugar levels, you can keep your phone in airplane mode on the invigilator’s desk. You may check your levels under supervision, and glucose tablets or drinks in clear packaging are permitted.
Generally, only clear bottles of water are allowed in the exam room. Snacks and sweets are not permitted, unless previously agreed upon for medical reasons (e.g., diabetes). You must request approval for food and drink as part of your access arrangement.
Yes, you can use a Reader Pen or C-Pen, but it must be approved as part of your access arrangements. We require supporting evidence confirming that this is part of your normal way of working. Please note that the device should have no Bluetooth, grammar check, or spell-check features.
Yes, if the awarding body approves your request and we have the resources available, we can offer a separate exam room. These spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. We recommend applying as early as possible.
Home invigilation is reserved for candidates with complex medical conditions who are unable to travel to the exam centre. This service is available based on detailed medical evidence and is subject to availability. If home invigilation is required, please provide the necessary documentation as soon as possible.
The approval process duration varies depending on the exam board and the type of arrangement requested. Typically, it takes a few weeks, so we encourage early applications to avoid delays.
If your previous Access Arrangements are still valid and you have supporting evidence, we can usually continue using them. However, updated documentation may be required depending on the time elapsed since the last assessment.
Documents such as medical reports, Form 8 assessments, and professional letters are commonly required to support your application. These help confirm your specific needs and ensure compliance with exam board regulations.
A qualified specialist teacher or educational psychologist can complete a Form 8 Assessment. This assessment helps determine your specific learning needs and supports your request for Access Arrangements.
If you are missing any required documentation, we can help guide you in gathering the necessary evidence. This may include arranging for a Form 8 Assessment or obtaining reports from professionals. We will support you through the process to ensure your application meets the required criteria.
Access arrangements are available for most types of exams, including GCSEs, A-Levels, and other qualifications. However, the specific arrangements available may vary based on the exam board and the nature of the exam. It’s important to confirm your needs early so we can ensure appropriate adjustments are made.
A medical diagnosis is often necessary to support your request for access arrangements, particularly for conditions such as dyslexia, ADHD, or physical disabilities. A letter or report from a healthcare professional confirming your condition is crucial to substantiate your need for accommodations.
Yes, you can apply for Access Arrangements even if you do not have an EHCP. Other forms of evidence, such as a Form 8 Assessment, medical reports, or written work samples, may be sufficient to support your request. The key is providing documentation that demonstrates how your condition affects your ability to perform in the exam.
To apply for Access Arrangements with us, simply complete our online exam booking form, indicating your need for special arrangements. Once we receive your payment, our SEN team will contact you to review your case and help you gather the necessary evidence before submitting the application to the awarding body.
Yes, you can apply for Access Arrangements for a single exam if necessary. The arrangements are not limited to a series of exams and can be granted based on your individual needs for that specific exam.
If your Access Arrangements request is not approved by the awarding body, we will notify you promptly. You will be provided with guidance on next steps, which may include appealing the decision or seeking additional evidence to support your case.
We do not charge for the application and processing of most Access Arrangements. However, there may be additional costs if specific resources, such as home invigilation or a separate room, are required. These costs typically cover invigilator travel expenses or other logistical requirements.
Supervised rest breaks are an option if your application for Access Arrangements includes this support. If you feel unwell or anxious during the exam, please inform the invigilator so the necessary arrangements can be made. Rest breaks are typically pre-approved and based on your documented needs.
Changes to your Access Arrangements after submission may be possible, but they depend on the timing and the nature of the request. If you believe your needs have changed, contact us as soon as possible, and we will assist you in adjusting your application if feasible.
We strongly recommend applying for Access Arrangements as early as possible. This allows ample time to review and process your application, gather any additional evidence if needed, and secure any required resources such as a separate room or a scribe. Early applications help avoid delays or last-minute complications.
Yes, Access Arrangements can be requested for both online and in-person exams. If you are taking online exams through our Edexams platform, we can provide the same accommodations, such as extra time or the use of a reader, as we would for in-person exams.
If you miss our internal deadline, we may not be able to guarantee that the awarding body will process your request in time. We highly recommend applying as early as possible to avoid any delays. In cases of extreme urgency, contact us directly, and we will work with you to explore possible options.
The process for private candidates is similar to that of registered students. You will need to submit evidence supporting your need for Access Arrangements, complete our online exam booking form, and, if required, sit a mock exam or undergo a Form 8 Assessment. Our team will guide you through every step of the process.
While test anxiety can be challenging, it typically does not qualify for a separate room unless it is part of a diagnosed condition. However, if your anxiety significantly impacts your ability to perform in an exam, we recommend discussing your situation with our team so we can explore potential accommodations.
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