For information on Exam Access Arrangements (EAA) please see:
Exam access arrangements (EAA)
The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) oversees the administration and regulation of examinations such as GCSEs, A-levels, and vocational qualifications for schools in Devon and across the UK.
Members of the JCQ include some of the largest awarding bodies in the UK, such as:
- AQA
- Edexcel (Pearson)
- OCR
- WJEC/Eduqas
- CCEA
- NCFE
- City & Guilds
- SQA
It aims to provide standardised procedures for exams.
You can read this year’s guidance from JCQ in full here:
Adjustments for candidates with disabilities and learning difficulties
Key changes for this year:
Changes from last year’s guidance can be found on page 6 & 7 of the ‘Adjustments for Candidates’ guidance, linked above.
Some of the changes include:
- Advice to SENDCos highlighting that supervised rest breaks can be more suitable than 25% extra time for students with anxiety, attention difficulties, neurodivergent conditions (like ADHD or ASD), or medical and mental health needs. The view is that extra time can increase stress and may not address the root issue, such as trouble focusing or emotional regulation. (page 38)
- Part 1 of Form 8 (the formal document used to support EAA) must now include teacher feedback and evidence of the child or young person’s normal way of working. The previously used ‘Skeleton’ information within Part 1 of Form 8 is no longer sufficient
- Applications for 25% extra time must have:
- A sample of internal school tests / mock exam papers across relevant subjects showing the application of 25% extra time;
- Comments and observations from teaching staff in relevant subjects as to why the child or young person needs 25% extra time and how they use the 25% extra time awarded.
- Where the child or young person only requires occasional words or phrases to be read, they may use an examination reading pen.
- SENDCos must ensure that a question paper on coloured paper is appropriate to the child or young person’s needs. Alternative ways of working should be explored, such as the use of a coloured overlay or the child or young person wearing coloured glasses.
What JCQ Guidance says about the use of digital tools:
- Computer Readers
For children and young people who experience difficulties with reading, using a computer reader may help them to demonstrate their knowledge more effectively and independently than relying on a human reader. The computer reader must be suitable for their specific needs. An appropriate amount of time and training should be given so they can use the technology confidently and competently.
More detailed information is available on page 52 of the JCQ Guidance linked above.
Some examples of computer readers that are JCQ compliant include:- Read&Write by Texthelp
- Sensory PDF Reader
- DocsPlus
Use of a Computer Reader will need to be applied for via the Access Arrangements Online (AAO) page on the JCQ site here:
Form 8 should be used if the child or young person also requires extra time and / or a scribe.
Form 9 should be used if only a Computer Reader is needed.
- Reading Pens
Reading Pens are handheld devices that will recognise most typed words and read them aloud. They do not always recognise unusual fonts used in some books. It reads the words aloud via a speaker or can be used with headphones.
They can be used in an examination if the child or young person only requires occasional words or phrases to be read.
Examination approved reading pens may not have a built in dictionary function. A commonly used Reader Pen that is JCQ compliant is the C-PEN Exam Reader 2.
JCQ state:
There is not a requirement to process an application for read aloud and/or the use of an
examination reading pen using Access arrangements online. No evidence is needed to support
the arrangement for inspection purposes.More detailed information is available on page 60 of the JCQ Guidance linked above.
- Scribes
A scribe is someone who writes or types exactly what a child or young person dictates to them during an exam. This arrangement is generally used when a child or young person has:
- Cognition and learning needs (learning difficulties)
- Communication and interaction needs (ASD)
- Sensory and/or physical needs
- Social, emotional and mental health needs (e.g. ADHD)
- Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN)
The use of a scribe must reflect the child or young persons normal way of working within the setting.
If a scribe is approved for a child or young person they may instead access a word processor with any of the following switched on:
- Spellcheck
- Grammar check
- Predictive text
If this is the case, the child or young person will not have access to the marks awarded for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
More detailed information is available on page 61 of the JCQ Guidance linked above.
- Speech to text software
Speech to text software is a tool that listens to your voice and turns what you say into written words on a screen.
If a setting has the use of a scribe approved for a child or young person – and where it reflects their normal way of working – they may alternatively use speech to text technology.
A screen reader (text to speech) may also be used to read back the dictated answers.
Speech to text software that is JCQ compliant (or has JCQ compliant modes) include:
- Dragon Naturally Speaking
- DocsPlus
- Read&Write
Software that can not typically be used unless it is restricted includes:
- Google Voice Typing
- Microsoft Dictate
- Windows Speech Recognition
- Siri Dictation
As these can require an active internet connection and / or personal logins they violate exam conditions set out by JCQ.
More detailed information is available on page 61 of the JCQ Guidance linked above.
- Word processors
If a child or young person routinely uses a Word Processor as part of their normal working practice, no Access Arrangements Online (AAO) application is required.
Spelling and grammar check features must be disabled.
JCQ does not specify software recommendations.
Word processing software that is JCQ compliant:
- DocsPlus
- ExamWritePad
Microsoft Word, Google Docs (offline), and LibreOffice Writer can be used if configured correctly, e.g.:
- Spell check and grammar tools must be disabled
- Internet access must be blocked
- The software must reflect the student’s normal way of working
- Printing must be supervised and verified
However, these require manual configuration and monitoring, which can introduce risks of non-compliance. It would be worth discussing with the IT team within the setting to make sure the requirements can be met.
More detailed information is available in section 5.8 on page 69 of the JCQ Guidance linked above.
Key dates:
Deadlines for submitting orders for modified papers:
| Exam Series | Last date for orders to be made |
| June 2026 | 31 January 2026 |
A full list of relevant dates can be found here: