Special requirements | Pearson qualifications
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Special requirements

Some candidates may have special needs during their examinations. In such cases, centres can apply for special requirements on their behalf. 

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In cases where candidates' performance may be affected by unforeseen circumstances outside their control, special requirement arrangements can be made for AEA, A level, GCSE, International GCSE, International AS/A Level, ELC, Functional Skills, PLSC, Edexcel Award, T-Levels and BTEC Qualifications.

Special requirements include:

Month of examination for GCE/GCSE/ELC/Functional Skills/IAL/Int GCSE (externally assessed components)

Final date for submission of requests for access arrangements for examinations

November 2026

20 September 2026 – Final date for ordering modified papers using Access Arrangements Online (AAO) for GCSE

4 October 2026 – Deadline to request transferred candidate arrangements for GCSE and IGCSE

1 November 2026 - Deadline to submit access arrangements applications for GCSE and IGCSE

18 November 2026 - Deadline to submit special consideration requests for GCSE and IGCSE

January 2027

21 October 2026 – Deadline to submit applications for access arrangements for Edexcel Award and Project qualifications

3 November 2026 - Deadline to submit transferred candidate arrangements for Edexcel Award and Project qualifications

31 January 2027 - Deadline to submit special consideration requests for Edexcel Award and Project qualifications

Special consideration

Within seven days of the last examination in the series in each subject.

Timetable variations

The published starting time for morning examinations is 9am and 1.30pm (GMT) for afternoon examinations. The security of the examinations must always be maintained and must follow the guidance from the JCQ Instructions for conducting examinations (ICE) document from Chapter 7.  Awarding body approval is not required for most cases. Timetable variations for AS/A- Level Mathematics and Further Mathematics will not be approved, these subjects must be sat in the published afternoon session as per the published exam timetable.

In cases where overnight supervision is required, the application for a timetable variation and confidentiality declaration for overnight supervision form must be filled out and signed no later than two weeks before the start of the examination series, in order that those involved understand their obligations. A copy of the form should be retained by the centre and the supervisor for six months.

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