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Definition of Terms

This page provides definition of the terms used in the Access to Qualifications section.

Access arrangements

Access arrangements are agreed before an assessment. They allow learners with special educational needs, disabilities or temporary injuries to access the assessment.

Reasonable adjustments

Under The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) awarding organisations have a duty to make reasonable adjustments for learners with disabilities in order to lessen or remove the effects of a ‘substantial disadvantage’ in an assessment. However, there is no duty on awarding organisations to make any adjustment to the competencies being tested in an assessment.

Special consideration

Special consideration is an adjustment to a candidate’s mark or grade to reflect temporary illness, injury or other indisposition at the time of the assessment.

Details of access arrangements, reasonable adjustments and special consideration for general and vocational qualifications are available at the Joint Council for Qualifications website.