The latest on examination access arrangements and special considerations

19 March 2012
Ofqual (Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation) has agreed that there will be no changes to reasonable adjustments already approved for learners taking GCSE and GCE exams this summer. Ofqual will be working with the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) and other stakeholders to gather feedback and information before the JCQ finalises its 2012/13 booklet Access Arrangements, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration – General and Vocational Qualifications. For more information please visit Ofqual's website.

Dyslexia Action has received a considerable number of queries from anxious parents and teachers about recent changes to the JCQ's access arrangements for GCSE and A-level examinations. Some students who have been diagnosed as having learning difficulties have been refused access arrangements of extra time of up to 25% for examinations. This reflects changes to this year’s JCQ’s regulations, which can be found at www.jcq.org.uk.

We have been active in discussing the issues with various professional groups and representatives from the JCQ and Ofqual. Although our discussions are on-going, Dyslexia Action is now able to offer advice to parents who feel that their child has been disadvantaged as a result of the changes to the regulations. Dyslexia Action’s current advice (February, 2012) for parents of children with specific learning difficulties who might be entitled to examination access arrangements can be downloaded here:

Guidance to Parents on Exam Access Arrangements 21.02.12.pdf

For more information about assessments and the assessment services that Dyslexia Action offers please see our Assessment section or contact your nearest Dyslexia Action Centre.

Related Topics Extra Time, JCQ regulations, Exam Concessions, Ofqual, Access Arrangements, Exam access arrangements
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