Exam access arrangements for schools following JCQ guideline
Exam Access Arrangements
Unlocking Dyslexia provides independent exam access arrangements assessments for secondary school students, following the current JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) guidelines.
The assessment service supports schools in identifying students who may experience difficulties that affect their ability to access examinations under standard conditions. Appropriate, nationally standardised assessment materials are used to assess areas such as reading, writing and processing speed, according to the student’s individual needs and the access arrangement being considered, as outlined on JCQ Form 8 Part 1.
Before carrying out an assessment, I liaise with your school’s SENCo or Access Arrangements Coordinator to understand the student’s current difficulties, their normal way of working and the support they already receive in the classroom, tests and examinations. This information forms an important part of the overall evidence of need.
Where required, Part 2 of JCQ Form 8 is completed, recording the relevant assessment results and standardised scores. A clear written record of the findings is provided for the school’s access arrangements evidence, and the form is signed and dated to confirm that the assessments recorded were personally administered.
The school’s SENCo or appropriately qualified member of staff considers the assessment findings alongside the student’s wider evidence, normal way of working and examination requirements when determining whether an access arrangement is appropriate.
Testing can be carried out in small groups across a morning or afternoon session or 1;1. This allows time to speak with each individual student and understand their perspective on difficulties they are experiencing and provides evidence of student voice.
Assessments are undertaken in line with current JCQ requirements, recognising that access arrangements are intended to remove barriers to assessment without providing students with an unfair advantage.
The service aims to provide schools, students and families with a professional, reliable and evidence-based assessment service, helping to ensure that eligible students are given a fair opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and skills in examinations.
Summary
- Face to face assessment at school location
- Tests and test papers provided
- Group and individual assessments
- Completed Form 8 Part 2
- APC and AMBDA certification provided electronically for JCQ inspections