Exam Access Arrangements (EAAs) are reasonable adjustments that can be made for students taking exams. EAA can include arrangements such as extra time, assistive technology or rest breaks.
Exam access arrangements are allocated on a case-by-case basis, depending on an individual’s history of need and their ‘normal way of working’ (Joint Council for Qualifications, 2023) This means that any support given in exams must reflect the support the student regularly uses in their lessons, mocks and class tests.
Students must not be given arrangements they are not accustomed to using, as this can have a detrimental impact on their performance in the exam and may ultimately be counterproductive.
In addition to historical evidence, an assessment may be carried out to support an application for exam access arrangements, where test results are used to show that a student has a ‘substantial’ and ‘long-term’ impairment and requires ‘reasonable adjustments’ in order to access the exams (Equality Act, 2010). For example, a student who works much more slowly than their peers and whose test scores show a below average speed of cognitive processing may be given extra time. This must also be supported by evidence from educational professionals that this is the student’s normal way of working.
Exam access arrangements vary from one student to another, but here are some of the most common ones:
It is important to remember that all applications for exam access arrangements must be supported with historical evidence that this is the student’s normal way of working, as well as assessments, reports (where appropriate) and evidence from teaching staff.
Coursework is not timed in the same way as exams, so it is unlikely that exam access arrangements such as extra time would apply. Access arrangements such as a word processor or computer reader would be used, however, as this should be the student’s normal way of working. It would therefore be expected that they would use these tools for all their written work.
Access arrangements only apply where there is evidence that, for particular skills, a student is at a substantial disadvantage when compared to others. Consequently, exam access arrangements allocated for written exams do not automatically apply in practical-based exams that do not involve reading, spelling and writing. Examples of such practical assessments include photography, sports or art.
Special Consideration is where an application is made after the exam, where un unexpected situation has occurred that may have affected a student’s performance in the exam. Special Consideration may be applied for in exceptional or adverse circumstances such as bereavement, illness or accident.
If you feel you may be eligible for special consideration, you must notify the college’s exams team at the earliest opportunity. You may do this either directly: exams-helpdesk@btc.ac.uk, or via your tutor.
Please note: if you are ill on the day of an exam and unable to attend, you must inform your tutor or the exams team as soon as possible on the day of the exam, otherwise medical evidence will be required.
In the case of bereavement resulting in you being unable to attend an exam or impacting your performance in the exam, a notification to your tutor or the exams team is sufficient, and no further evidence is required.
If you have had exam access arrangements in the past or think you may need them, speak to your tutor or any member of staff at the college, who can complete a referral for you to meet with an exam access arrangements assessor, who will liaise with your teachers, carry out an assessment, if necessary, and complete the application on your behalf. It is important that you notify the college as soon as possible, as there is a strict deadline for applications, all of which must be approved by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), who set regulations and oversee the running of examinations to ensure fairness and uniformity across all centres.
If you have any questions regarding learning support, EAA or exams, please email us at:
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