Exam Access Arrangements

Thinking Ahead around Exam Access with Maureen De Longhi, Advisory Teacher

Recorded: Thursday 21st September 2023

During exams, organising access arrangements can be a nightmare. Throw Assistive Technology into the mix and there is the potential for some students to miss out on arrangements that may better support their needs, because their teachers are either unaware of what assistive technologies are available or unsure of whether they would contravene the rules.

This recording:

  • Outlines the role of AT to improve the ability of students to communicate, learn and achieve as a usual way of working and explore some of the technology available
  • Looks at JCQ guidance to schools and colleges with regard to the use of assistive technology for access arrangements and identify the key points
  • Considers how to make the necessary applications to enable students to use AT in exams.

Additional Arrangements for Examinations

 

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JCQ Joint Council for Qualifications

Adjustments for candidates with disabilities and learning difficulties
Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments
1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024

This document covers the following qualifications:
AQA Applied General qualifications, AQA Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 Technical qualifications, AQA Level 2 Certificate in Further Maths, AQA Level 3 Certificate in Mathematical Studies, BTEC Firsts, BTEC Nationals, BTEC Tech Awards, Cambridge Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, CCEA Key Skills qualifications, City & Guilds Level 2 and Level 3 Technical qualifications, ELC, FSMQ, GCE, GCSE, OCR Level 3 Certificates, Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification (WBQ), WJEC Level 1 and Level 2 General qualifications, WJEC Level 1 and Level 2 Vocational qualifications, WJEC Level 1 and Level 2 Vocational Awards (Technical Awards), WJEC Level 3 Applied qualifications.

> Download the booklet

JCQ Key dates in the examination cycle for GCSE, GCE and Project qualifications June 2024 series:

> Download Key dates

> Visit the JCQ website


Gov.UK – Key stage 1 tests: access arrangements
(Please note: This guidance will be updated in October 2023 for the 2024 tests)

Guidance for schools about access arrangements available for pupils participating in 2023 key stage 1 national curriculum tests (commonly called SATs).

> Access the guidance


Gov.UK – Key stage 2 tests: access arrangements
(Please note: This guidance will be updated in October 2023 for the 2024 tests)

Guidance for schools about access arrangements available for pupils participating in 2023 key stage 2 national curriculum tests (commonly called SATs).

> Access the guidance

> Primary Assessment Gateway for KS2 SATS


Word Q Exam Access Arrangements

Exam Mode turns off WordQ features that may not be allowed during exams/assessments. In particular, those features that may be deemed unfair or allow “cheating.”
A teacher or exam supervisor typically initiates this mode and chooses the time limit.
Prior to starting Exam Mode it is important that the user loads their personal vocabulary and configures their desired usability features, such as Voice, Word List display, and Selection settings.

> Download WordQ instructions


Useful information for students with vision impairment

UK Association for Accessible formats (UKAAF)

The Examination Subject Group meets to work on specific projects. The group holds responsibility for the Best Practice Guidance Document For Producers and Modifiers and publishes this document annually in consultation with the awarding organisations and OFQUAL.
Notably, the group has recently advised OFQUAL on standards and best practices for the development of modified papers. Members are either Qualified Teachers of the Visually Impaired (QTVI’s), VI professionals or exam modifiers.

> More information

 

RNIB Access to exams and tests

Key information to consider when preparing a young person with vision impairment for external exams.

> More information

Exam Entries and Access Arrangements for June 2024 Exam series

Useful Websites

AQA logo
JCQ logo
RNIB logo