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Access arrangements provide students with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries the opportunity to complete 'formal assessments', such as NVQs, GCSEs, GCEs etc.. without making the assessment any easier or difficult.

So, what is an access arrangement?

An access arrangement provides an opportunity for those who would normally be at a disadvantage to achieve in line with their peers.

An access arrangement can be:

  • Supervised rest breaks

  • 25% extra time

  • Extra time of up to 50% (between 26% and 50% extra time) 

  • Extra time of over 50%

  • Computer reader/reader

  • Read aloud and/or the use of an examination reading pen

  • Scribe/Speech recognition technology

  • Word processor

  • Braille transcript

  • Prompter 

  • Language Modifier

  • Live speaker for pre-recorded examination components

  • Communication Professional (for candidates using Sign Language) 

  • Practical assistant

  • Alternative site for the conduct of examinations

  • Other arrangements for candidates with disabilities e.g. amplification equipment, braillers, closed circuit television (CCTV), colour naming by the invigilator for candidates who are colour blind, coloured overlays (this would also include reading rulers, virtual overlays and virtual reading rulers), examination on coloured/enlarged paper, low vision aid/magnifier, Optical Character Reader (OCR) scanner or separate invigilation within the centre 

  • Exemptions

  • Bilingual translation dictionaries with 10% extra time

(JCQ Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments, 2024)

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Some access arrangements are approved directly by the school, college or learning provider, but others require more specific evidence that are only approved by JCQ awarding bodies. This is where Lancashire Dyslexia Specialists can help. We can work with schools, colleges or learning providers in carrying out the assessments to decide if specific access arrangements are appropriate.

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By providing 'access arrangements' examination awarding bodies, such as City & Guilds, Pearson, AQA, OCR, WJEC etc.. ensure they will meet the legal requirements of the Equality Act 2010 in making 'reasonable adjustments'.

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