Access Arrangements for 2025 Exams

If you have a young person due to sit exams this year and have not already spoken to their school, now is the time to do so as schools have to submit requests to the exam board they are using!

We are very grateful to Jane who recently contacted us. She works in an exam centre and we thought her advice was worth sharing with you.

Some schools are great, but there are others that are not even aware of what their responsibilities are. Under the JCQ regulations (which most schools are bound by) when a young person sits an exam they should be allowed arrangements which reflect their NORMAL WAY OF WORKING e.g. if they have a later start to their school day, usually they can start the exam later. Sometimes schools say this can’t be more than half an hour after an exam starts. If, however, a young person is kept in ‘exam conditions’ i.e. you agree to supervise them not having access to a phone, internet, other pupils etc, then they can start the exam later in the day.

If they take longer to complete work due to PoTS symptoms e.g. brain fog, then they are entitled to extra time (usually 25% extra). Also if they need to take breaks during lessons/study time they are entitled to rest breaks.

If they need water/food while working they are entitled to this in a way which should not disrupt other students.

If a young person normally manages school but has a flare up of PoTS symptoms (or any symptoms) during an exam, then it is possible to apply for ‘special consideration’ after the exam through the school. If granted, this will add a few points to their final mark.

Private exam centres are often limited by staffing levels as to what they can offer. Page 32 of this Cambridge Handbook has their guide to access arrangements.