Exam access arrangements should be discussed well before the exam season. The right starting point is the school or exam centre that will enter the learner, because it must establish which rules apply and what arrangements can be put in place.
For learners in England receiving tuition outside school, this can require coordination between several adults. Starting early gives the centre time to explain its process and the learner time to become familiar with agreed support.
Begin with the exam centre
Contact the exams officer and ask who handles access arrangements. Explain the qualification, planned exam series and whether the learner studies at school, at home or with another provider.
If a centre has not yet been found, raise access needs during the first enquiry. Do not assume every centre can offer the same facilities or accept every private candidate. The JCQ private candidate information explains why details must be confirmed directly with centres.
A tutor can describe how the learner works and contribute relevant evidence when requested. Buying tuition or obtaining an assessment does not, by itself, confirm an exam arrangement. Our GCSE support page explains the teaching offer; the centre remains the contact for examination arrangements.
Describe the barrier, not just the label
Useful information explains what happens during learning and assessment. Does the learner lose their place when reading? Do they need instructions presented in a particular way? Does handwriting make it difficult to demonstrate what they know?
Ask the centre what evidence it needs before arranging additional assessments or sending reports. A diagnosis alone does not automatically establish entitlement to extra time or any other specific arrangement. Requirements vary with the qualification and the support being considered.
A fictional example: a learner usually types longer responses in tuition. Rather than telling the family that a laptop will be allowed in the exam, the tutor records how it is used and discusses the situation with the centre. The centre then checks its policy and the applicable rules.
Include the learner's perspective. Support that appears helpful on paper may feel unfamiliar or distracting in practice. Explain what is being considered without promising an outcome before the centre has confirmed it.
Ask which current rules apply
The JCQ access arrangements and reasonable adjustments hub provides the relevant guidance for qualifications within its scope. Other awarding-organisation requirements may also apply. Ask the centre to identify the correct guidance for the qualification and exam year rather than relying on an old checklist found online.
Keep a simple record of questions and answers:
- Who is the named contact and who makes the relevant decisions?
- What information should the tutor, school or family provide?
- Are further assessments required, and who should arrange them?
- What are the centre's deadlines?
- What has been agreed, and what is still awaiting a decision?
- How will the learner practise with any approved arrangements?
Send personal reports through the centre's agreed secure route. There is rarely a reason to circulate a learner's full history to everyone involved in their tuition.
Confirm what exam day will look like
Once arrangements are confirmed, check the practical details: location, arrival procedure, equipment, room arrangements and the person to contact if something changes. Ask how the learner will be told what is permitted. Familiarity can remove uncertainty without making promises about how an exam will feel.
Access arrangements and special consideration are different processes. If illness or another serious issue affects an exam, contact the centre promptly for advice about the applicable special consideration rules. Do not assume an existing access arrangement covers a new situation.
If the wider education arrangement is still being decided, our guide to choosing educational support can help families organise their questions. For help coordinating teaching with the learner’s agreed support, speak to Reconnect Learning, while keeping exam decisions with the responsible centre.