Access Arrangements is the new name for Exam Concessions– the reason
for the change of name being to reflect the requirements of the Disabilities Discrimination Act.
The Arrangements “seek to enhance access for people with disabilities
and other difficulties to the qualifications (GCE, VCE, GNVQ, Entry Level and Key Skills) without compromising the assessment
of skills, knowledge, understanding or competence being measured.”
The arrangements apply to candidates with permanent or medium/long term disabilities
and are decided well before the final examinations. There are two main types of arrangements – ones for which the school
must apply to the examination boards for permission and these must be agreed before the exams take place, and ones where the
school is able to make the decision and informs the exam board after each exam.
Access arrangements are designed to give candidates with learning difficulties
fair opportunities to demonstrate what they know and can do in each subject. In order not to unfairly advantage anyone, the
examining bodies require evidence of a candidate’s needs including the history of difficulties.
The Examining/Awarding Body grants Access Arrangements if a candidate is likely
to experience in at least one of the following areas:
- Medical
- Reading Accuracy
- Reading Speed
- Spelling
- Handwriting Speed
- Handwriting Legibility
- Other Difficulties
