Access arrangements and special consideration - General Qualifications

Applying for special consideration in the January 2012 series

If you need to submit an application for special consideration this January series, please note that the new Special Consideration Online tool is now available on Interchange. All applications for individual candidates entered for 14–19 timetabled exams should be submitted using this new method. Applications for units/components with a different form of assessment (for example, coursework, controlled, oral or practical assessment) and other qualification types should be submitted using the JCQ Form 10, available from the JCQ website.

For more information on the tool, the benefits and how to use it, take a look at our new step-by-step guide19 January 2012 (PDF, 6 MB). Or for further support, get in touch with the OCR Customer Contact Centre on 01223 553998 or general.qualifications@ocr.org.uk

Please remember, applications for special consideration should be submitted within seven days of the last exam in the series in that subject.

Access arrangements and reasonable adjustments

Access arrangements or reasonable adjustments can only be requested by the exams officer at the centre of entry. The nature of the arrangement required will depend on the learner’s individual needs and any arrangements put in place for the exam must reflect their normal way of working. Most applications can be submitted on the Access Arrangements Online (AAO) site which can be accessed via Interchange. Any exceptions to this, as well as detailed information of all the arrangements available and the eligibility criteria can be found in the JCQ Access Arrangements, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration via the link below.

Modified papers must also be ordered via AAO for general qualifications. For all other qualifications a JCQ Form 7 must be sent to: Special Requirements Team, 1 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 2EU. The deadlines for ordering these papers are published annually in the JCQ Access Arrangements, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration.

Special consideration

Special consideration can be applied for in cases where the learner has been fully prepared for the examination, but their performance or their ability to attend at all has been adversely affected by factors beyond their control, e.g. ill health or a family crisis.

For all timetabled exams for general qualifications it is possible to apply via the Special Consideration Online portal on Interchange. For vocational qualifications, or for coursework, controlled, practical or oral assessments, a JCQ Form 10 must be sent to: Special Requirements Team, 1 Hills Road, Cambridge, CB1 2EU. Applications must be received within seven days of the exam in question.

Further details of the eligibility criteria can be found in the JCQ Access Arrangements, Reasonable Adjustments and Special Consideration.