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Exam Access Arrangements for Private Candidates

Extra time, a reader, a scribe, a word processor, rest breaks or a separate room: the adjustments that allow an examination to assess a candidate's knowledge rather than the speed at which they write. The college assesses eligibility, completes the documentation, and applies to the awarding body on the candidate's behalf.
What you pay for

What the Fee Covers

An application succeeds or fails on the quality of its evidence, so the fee covers the work that produces it rather than the administration alone.

Comparable provision is typically charged at around £130 with a further 25 per cent surcharge for private candidates. The college charges a flat £125 whether or not the candidate studies here.

At a Glance

Fee£125, studying here or not
Assessed byA Level 7 assessor, as JCQ requires
IncludesForm 8, completed and submitted
Internal deadlineEarly January
  • Assessment by a Level 7 qualified assessor, the qualification level JCQ requires for the evidence to be accepted
  • Form 8 completed correctly, which is the stage at which most applications fail
  • Application to the awarding body on the candidate's behalf, with supporting evidence attached
  • Arrangements recorded against the candidate's entry
  • Discussed in confidence throughout
Timing

Apply Well Before the Awarding Body Deadline

The awarding body deadline for most access arrangements is 21 March. The college operates an internal deadline of early January, because evidence must be gathered before an application can be made and that process takes several weeks.

Applications made in February for a June examination series may not be completed in time. Applications made in November are straightforward.

The most common reason a private candidate sits an examination without the arrangements to which they are entitled is a late application.

Evidence

Supporting Evidence Shortens the Assessment

Any existing documentation strengthens the application and reduces what the assessment has to establish from scratch.

Candidates holding none of it are not disadvantaged. The assessment exists to generate the evidence.

Useful If You Have It

  • Access arrangements previously granted at a school or college, with the accompanying paperwork
  • An educational psychologist's report, a specialist teacher's report, or a diagnostic assessment
  • Medical evidence, where the need is physical or medical
  • Evidence of normal way of working, such as established use of a laptop or extra time in class
Access arrangements for private candidates
Where you sit

Entry at the College's Own Centre

Examination entry at the college's own centre is subject to JCQ centre approval. Where approval is not in place, the college arranges and pays for entry at a partner centre, so that the risk does not fall on the candidate.

Candidates are told which applies to their series before any payment is taken.

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Answers

Exam Access Arrangements Faqs

Depending on need and evidence, these can include extra time, a reader, a scribe, a word processor, supervised rest breaks and a separate room, in line with JCQ requirements.

Assessment by a Level 7 qualified assessor, Form 8 completed and submitted, and the application made to the awarding body on your behalf with the evidence attached. The fee is the same whether or not you study here.

Arrangements must reflect your normal way of working and be supported by appropriate evidence. Previous arrangements, a specialist report or evidence of how you already work all help, but candidates with none of these are not disadvantaged: the assessment exists to generate the evidence.

By early January for a June series. The awarding body deadline is 21 March, but evidence takes several weeks to gather, so an application made in February may not complete in time. November is straightforward.

Yes, where the need and evidence requirements are met. Raise it when you enquire about your entry rather than after it is made.

Yes. Access arrangement discussions are handled sensitively and in confidence.
Next steps

Arrange an Assessment

Candidates who think they may qualify should make contact well before the January deadline. Tell us the series and the subjects and we will confirm what can be arranged, what evidence helps, and the timetable for putting it in place.
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