This answer may be of use for you.

The JCQ regulations changed significantly in 2012. Previously all that was necessary when applying online for most arrangements (for students with learning difficulties) was a specialist teacher's or Educational Psychologist's report conducted during/after the secondary school period with appropriate recommendations.

From 2012 the standardised scores for permitting extra time were prescribed and were lower than previously allowed which has meant some candidates who had arrangements permitted for GCSE now not meeting the new criteria. The most significant change in the revised regulations however has been the requirement to provide evidence of need and normal way of working. This has proved challenging even in our College setting for both our specialist staff and the Exams Office, where we make the online applications and implement the arrangements. This requirement has been implemented to ensure that students are not permitted arrangements 'just for examinations', which has been deemed to be the case in the past.

Full-time students at this College have to have new applications processed online for their A level exams, even if previously permitted access arrangements at their previous schools. To meet the criteria firstly we have to have - as before - an assessment carried out by an appropriately qualified professional. We then have to build a case for allowing the recommended arrangements, particularly extra time. Our Study Skills department collect evidence from students' teachers - this can be timed tests or mock papers, or other observations - confirming the need for arrangements and that is their normal way of working in class. Only when I have this evidence verified and the report in my possession can I make the online application.

All GCE and GCSE exams are subject to JCQ regulations and access arrangements are subject to scrutiny by visiting JCQ inspectors. If we do not comply with the regulations we can be found guilty of malpractice with serious consequences for ourselves and/or the students concerned. For Edexcel IGCSEs, we use the same online system for applications (even though JCQ has no jurisdiction over these qualifications), for CIE we have to make a paper application.

I have personally spoken to Nick Lait - the authority on access arrangements at JCQ - on several occasions now and have posed questions regarding the difficulty of supporting applications from private candidates. Basically, unless candidates, in addition to their assessments, can provide evidence of need and normal way of working, we cannot process their applications and implement access arrangements. I am not sure how they would be able to provide this in a distant learning situation. Nick suggested that SENCOs at the centres could work with private candidates but this is not practical for most centres. Our own staff are already struggling to cope with our own candidates' applications so this is not a service we would be able to offer to private candidates.

Some arrangements may be requested on medical grounds, for which evidence would be required from a medical professional in the form of a letter or such (rather than a full report). We still need evidence that it is the candidate's normal way of working and there is evidence of need.

It has been suggested that where we cannot grant access arrangements e.g. extra time, because of the inability to provide evidence, it may be possible to allow a candidate supervised rest breaks. Although we do not technically have to have evidence to support this, the centre 'must be satisfied that the candidate has an impairment which has a substantial and long term adverse effect, giving rise to persistent and significant difficulties', so in practice we do need evidence! (This is also dependent on this being their normal way of working.) The provision of extra time for learning difficulties, and its potential misuse, appears to be the main focus of JCQ attention.

All online applications need to be made by 21 March for the summer exam season. The only exceptions to this would be emergency medical applications e.g. broken limbs.

This is a difficult situation for private candidates, particularly those who have legitimate reasons for access arrangements and may have had use of them previously, but we must comply with JCQ requirements. Unless your candidates can meet all the criteria, arrangements are unlikely to be permitted.

The following is part of a written response I had from Nick Lait in November -  

"The rules for private candidates are no different to internal students. If your specialist assessors cannot gather the necessary evidence then the access arrangement(s) cannot be awarded.

It is not acceptable to refer such cases to an awarding body and similarly you cannot simply use a specialist assessor's report as presented by the candidate.

If your specialist assessors are unable to conduct screening tests, are unable to interview the candidate to establish their self-reported difficulties and unable to have a telephone conversation with the candidate's previous school or college then nothing can be done.

The days of awarding access arrangements simply on the basis of a specialist assessor's report are well and truly over, and a picture of need has to be established."

Chris Hemming

Examinations Officer

Hills Road Sixth Form College | Cambridge CB2 8PE             

(Direct line 01223 278027 | Fax 01223 278070 | [log in to unmask]   

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