Some examination candidates may be entitled to certain arrangements, to support them whilst taking examinations. A wide range of arrangements are available - e.g. provision of reader, scribe, extra time etc.
All applications for access arrangements and reasonable adjustments should be processed using the online system Access Arrangements Online (AAO) used by all JCQ awarding bodies. AAO can be accessed from the JCQ Centre Admin Portal (CAP) via the WJEC secure website.
Most of the applications submitted should be automatically approved on AAO. In cases where the application is not approved, AAO will allow the Responsible Officer to refer the application to the relevant awarding bodies for separate adjudication.
Key Deadlines for applying for Access Arrangements can be found on the JCQ website.
If you have any queries relating to access arrangements, please email specialrequirements@wjec.co.uk.
Candidates whose performance in an examination is affected by circumstances beyond their control (illness, bereavement etc.) may be entitled to Special Consideration. These procedures are common to all the General Qualification Awarding Bodies.
Special Consideration may be given to eligible candidates who are:
- Present for an assessment/exam but are disadvantaged, due to unforeseen circumstances that are beyond their control.
- Absent from a time-tabled assessment due to illness or other acceptable reason – for unitised specifications this applies to the terminal series (cash-in candidates) only.
Further information is available on the JCQ website.
Centres must submit applications for timetabled assessments for both individual candidates and group requests using 'Special Consideration' online, accessible via WJEC's secure website.
- JCQ/SC FORM 10 should be used for NEA/controlled (non-timetabled) assessments.
- JCQ/LCW Form 15 should be submitted for lost centre-assessed work. Additional medical evidence should be submitted, where appropriate.
Our document Special consideration methodologies for projecting mark based linear and unitised qualifications outlines the approaches used by WJEC to project marks if a candidate is absent from an assessment for good reason.
If you have any further queries relating to special consideration, please email specialrequirements@wjec.co.uk.
Centres can submit an order for a modified paper, to help candidates with certain additional needs. Modified papers are individually prepared for candidates for whom other access arrangements are unsuitable.
Orders must be submitted using the JCQ Access Arrangements Online (AAO) web tool accessed through the JCQ Centre Admin Portal (CAP) via WJEC’s secure website. This facility is only available to the centre's primary account holder (usually the Exams Officer).
WJEC aims to despatch modified papers approximately 7-10 days before the published examination date.
Deadlines for submitting orders for modified papers can be found in the Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustment booklet. If you miss the deadline then AAO will still accept orders for modified papers, however it is crucial that as soon as a centre is aware that the deadline has been missed that they request a paper as soon as possible.
Other arrangements
Centres can open a question paper packet within 60 minutes of the published start time of the examination in order to photocopy it onto coloured paper or to enlarge it if required by the candidate.
Please note that re-typing a question paper or altering it in any other way is strictly forbidden and can constitute malpractice.
Help accessing electronic question paper downloads is available from the relevant department:
GCSE: 029 2026 5082
GCE: 029 2026 5336
Vocational, Applied and Entry Level: 029 2026 5444
Question papers must be handled in accordance with the JCQ Instructions for Conducting Examinations at all times.
If you have any further queries relating to modified papers, please contact modifiedpapers@wjec.co.uk.
The JCQ Centre Admin Portal (CAP) enables centres to apply for Access Arrangements and order Modified Papers online.
The portal is accessed via the WJEC secure website, by selecting the 'JCQ Centre Admin Portal' option from the menu bar.
