Examination Access Arrangements (EAA) 

Examination Access Arrangements provide crucial adjustments for candidates with special educational needs, disabilities, or temporary injuries to access assessments without altering the core demands. These arrangements ensure fairness and compliance with the Equality Act 2010. 

Key Information: 

• Regulations: EAAs are governed by strict regulations and guidance from the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), the unified voice for awarding bodies. 

• Your School's SENDCO: While the Head of Centre holds overall responsibility, the school's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCO) typically coordinates and oversees the EAA process. We recommend arranging an appointment with your SENDCO as a first step. 

• Annual Updates: All Access Arrangements are reviewed and updated every September. 

• Comprehensive Guidance: Full details and guidance for the current academic year's cohort can be found in the highly detailed (124-page) JCQ document. It's an interactive PDF with clickable links, and changes for the current year are highlighted in yellow. 

• Access the JCQ Guidance Document (2024-25) here. 

• Categories of Arrangements: EAAs fall into two main categories: those delegated to centres and those requiring prior JCQ awarding body approval. Examples include readers, scribes, and Braille question papers.