Access Arrangements and the Disabled Students' Allowance
What are Access Arrangements?
Access Arrangements are changes made to the conditions under which candidates sit exams if there is evidence that they have specific difficulties. Schools and colleges are required to provide evidence of below average performance on set criteria if special arrangements are to be made.
The Standards and Testing Agency and the Joint Council for Qualifications CIC (JCQ CIC) are responsible for setting and monitoring the regulations.
Which tests from Pearson Assessment are suitable?
How do I meet the requirements?
Where can I find out more about the testing regulations, and courses?
A case study of student assessment
Read a Psychologists perspective on a student's journey to DSA
Supporting your SEN students from assessment and intervention to examination
Our interactive SEN support guide highlights the tools and resources that can help you support your students from assessment and intervention to examination
Communicate-ed webinar on supporting students with mental health
Advice and guidance on supporting learners and students with mental health issues during examinations
Remote assessment for examination access arrangements
A communicate-ed course for all access arrangements assessors interested in carrying out access arrangements assessments remotelyBook pre-recorded online course
How do I meet the requirements?
Please view the SASC paper, 'Evaluations of Need by Remote Video Platform' for further details on use of our SACS approved products via remote online test administration.
Standard scores must be provided as evidence of below average performance.
A standard score is converted from the frequency distribution of raw scores for any one age group. This allows comparison of an individual’s performance against their age group.
Standard scores have a mean of 100 and a standard deviation of 15. The governing bodies therefore consider a standard score of below 85 indicative of below average performance.
Standard scores can sometimes be presented with a mean of 10 and a standard deviation of 3. A standard score of below 7 is equivalent to achieving a score of below 85 on a composite standard score.
The table and figure below show the relationship between standard scores and other common score scales.
National Percentile Ranks, Normal Curve Equivalents, and Stanines corresponding to Standard Scores (jpg, 205KB)
Normal Distribution and Associated Scales (jpg, 201KB)
These scores are obtained by using standardised assessments.
Regulations - Key Stage 2
Official site: Additional time criteria and applications for Key Stage 2
National Curriculum assessments helpline:
Telephone: 0300 303 3013
Email: assessments@education.gov.uk
General Qualifications
Official site: JCQ CIC Official Site: Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments
Book: Lia Castiglione, Assessing the Need for Access Arrangements in Examinations: Fifth Edition. (Written in conjunction with the JCQ CIC)
Courses: Communicate-ed is a company specialising in the training of education professionals who work in the area of special needs. They run a number of courses in the implementation of access arrangements for General Qualifications
Visit: www.communicate-ed.org.uk to find out more about up-coming courses in your area.
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