If you’ve been getting to grips with all the changes JCQ introduced to its Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (AARA) document this year, you’re not alone, it’s been a lot to absorb. And now JCQ has made further amendments, effective immediately.
The good news? Some of the trickier requirements have been softened. Here’s what’s changed and what it means for your day-to-day work
The Three Changes You Need to Know About
1. The workplace preparation language has been removed
Earlier this year, the AARA included new wording encouraging SENCOs to think about access arrangements that would also prepare students for the workplace, nudging towards things like assistive technology over extra time. That language has now been taken out of the document entirely.
What this means for you: you can focus on what genuinely meets each student’s individual needs, without the added consideration of workplace relevance. That’s always been the right approach, and it’s good to see the guidance reflect that clearly again.
2. Supervised rest breaks: the wording has been softened
This is probably the most practically significant change. The 2025/26 AARA had said that for students with impairments other than learning difficulties, SENCOs must trial and exhaust rest breaks before applying for 25% extra time. That created a high bar, and a documentation burden, before you could even begin an extra time application.
JCQ has now amended that wording. Here’s what Section 5.1 now says:
“Where a candidate has an impairment other than a learning difficulty, the SENCo should consider the option of supervised rest breaks before making an application for 25% extra time.” |
The shift from must trial and exhaust to should consider is meaningful. Rest breaks are still the recommended starting point for students with anxiety, ADHD, ASD, or attention difficulties, and they genuinely can be a better fit for many students. But the requirement to prove you tried them first and found them insufficient before moving to extra time has been eased.
3. Clearer guidance on separate room invigilation
Section 5.16 on alternative rooming has also been updated. The revised wording makes it clearer when a separate room with 1:1 invigilation is appropriate:
“The use of an alternative room with one-to-one invigilation would apply where the candidate has a serious medical condition, such as frequent seizures, Tourette’s or significant behavioural issues which would disturb other candidates in the examination room.” |
The key principle here is that the arrangement is primarily about the impact on other students in the room, not just the individual student’s own needs. This brings more proportionate, practical criteria to something that had caused uncertainty.
And There's Bigger News Too
Alongside these three amendments, JCQ has announced something that will be a real relief for anyone who has had to scramble every September to implement a new wave of guidance changes.
JCQ is moving away from annual updates, starting with the AARA.
Here’s what that means in practice:
- There won’t be a new AARA update in September for the 2026/27 academic year.
- JCQ will review all its access arrangements documentation, including how it consults schools and the notice it gives before changes take effect.
- The aim is to give schools a full year’s lead time before any changes need to be implemented.
- The plan is to eventually roll this out to all other JCQ guidance, not just the AARA.
JCQ has acknowledged directly that the volume and timing of this year’s AARA changes made things difficult for schools. These mid-year corrections and this broader commitment to longer lead times are a direct response to the feedback they received. That’s worth acknowledging, and it should make future updates much easier to absorb.
What Should You Do Right Now?
These changes are live immediately in the March 2026 version of the AARA. JCQ has also published supplementary guidance with full details and worked examples for 25% extra time applications; it’s worth a read.
- Check the updated March 2026 AARA document on the JCQ website.
- If you have any pending Form 9 applications where you were documenting rest breaks as a pre-condition, the requirement has now been softened — so review those in light of the new wording.
- For any qualification-specific questions, contact your awarding organisation directly.
- Keep an eye on the monthly JCQ newsletter for more on the planned review of update timelines.
You're not alone in navigating this
Keeping on top of JCQ updates is just one part of running a solid access arrangements process. Having the right tools to identify need early — and qualified assessors to evidence it properly — makes everything downstream much smoother.
Our SWIFT assessment helps SENCOs quickly and seamlessly spot students who may need extra support or access arrangements. Our CCET and ETAAC qualification supports assessors in conducting robust, regulation-aligned assessments. If you’d like to find out more, we’d love to hear from you.
