Exam Access Arrangements Support for Schools and Colleges
Lancashire Dyslexia Specialists can work with schools, colleges and examination centres to support the assessment process for JCQ exam access arrangements for learners with learning difficulties.
This service is for centres that require an appropriately qualified assessor to complete Part 2 of JCQ Form 8. We can complete the assessment section of Form 8 where the school, college or examination centre has approved our assessor/s to act as the centre’s assessor.
Exam access arrangements are adjustments that help candidates access assessments without changing the skills, knowledge or understanding being tested. These may include arrangements such as extra time, a reader/computer reader, a scribe, supervised rest breaks, use of assistive technology, or other reasonable adjustments, depending on the learner’s needs and the evidence available.
For the 2025/26 academic year, centres must follow the current JCQ Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments guidance. JCQ makes clear that access arrangements are based on evidence of need and the candidate’s normal way of working.
How we can support centres
We can work with schools and colleges to provide specialist assessment evidence for learners where exam access arrangements are being considered. This may include:
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reviewing the completed Part 1 information before assessment;
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selecting appropriate current, nationally standardised tests;
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administering and scoring the assessment;
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interpreting the results in relation to the access arrangement being considered;
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completing Part 2 of JCQ Form 8;
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liaising with the SENCo, access arrangements coordinator or exams officer where needed.
This is not a full diagnostic assessment for dyslexia or another specific learning difficulty. It is a focused assessment to support the centre’s access arrangements evidence in line with JCQ requirements.
Please note: We can complete Part 2 of Form 8 only where we have been approved by the examination centre. The school or college remains responsible for completing Part 1 and Part 3, confirming normal way of working, and making any application in line with JCQ regulations.
Evidence needed before assessment
Before we complete Part 2 of Form 8, the centre must provide a completed Part 1 of Form 8.
JCQ states that Part 1 must be completed before the candidate is assessed. As a minimum, it must include teacher feedback and evidence of the candidate’s normal way of working. A “skeleton” Part 1 is no longer sufficient.
Part 1 should usually include:
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the learner’s current difficulties in the classroom;
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teacher feedback from relevant subjects;
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evidence from internal tests, class assessments or mock examinations;
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details of the learner’s normal way of working;
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information about support already used in class;
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the access arrangement being considered;
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evidence that the proposed arrangement is appropriate, effective and routinely used where relevant.
For some arrangements, particularly 25% extra time, centres may need additional evidence such as samples of internal tests or mock papers showing use of extra time, together with comments from teaching staff explaining why extra time is needed and how the learner uses it.
Fees
Form 8 Part 2 assessment and completion
The fee for completing Part 2 of JCQ Form 8 is £50 per learner
A minimum booking of two learners applies.
Mileage is charged separately at 55p/mile.
The fee assumes that the centre has already completed Part 1 of Form 8 and has gathered appropriate evidence of need, normal way of working and teacher feedback before the assessment takes place.
Where Part 1 is incomplete, or where substantial additional evidence review, advice or liaison is required, this may need to be discussed separately before assessment.
Information for parents
Parents and carers are welcome to contact us for general advice. However, Form 8 assessments for JCQ access arrangements must be managed through the learner’s school, college or examination centre.
We cannot complete Part 2 of Form 8 for a parent or carer unless the school, college or examination centre has approved us to act as their assessor and has provided the required centre-based evidence.
If you are a parent or carer and think your child may need exam access arrangements, please speak to the school or college SENCo, learning support department or exams officer first. Form 8 assessment work must be linked to the centre’s evidence of need and the learner’s normal way of working.