Support available for young people with epilepsy taking GCSE and GCE exams at school or college

Introduction

This information applies to the UK, but may be useful to people elsewhere.

Some people with epilepsy may find they need help, because of their epilepsy, so they can achieve their full potential in exams. This information explains what kind of help could be available. It also explains what you would need to do to get that help.

Helping yourself during exam time

Many people find taking exams stressful and need to think of the best ways to help themselves during that time. If you have epilepsy, there are some additional things to bear in mind. Common triggers of seizures  are stress, not getting enough sleep and not having regular meals. These are often things that happen around exam time.

To help yourself have a fair chance in your exams, it’s important to try to reduce the risk of seizures. This might include setting aside time to find ways to reduce stress and anxiety. It might also include making sure you get enough sleep and don’t skip meals.

What you need to do to find out about getting support

You should talk to the exams officer or member of staff responsible for arranging examinations at your school or college. If possible, you should do this at the start of the academic year, or as soon as you are diagnosed with epilepsy. Tell them how you think your epilepsy could affect your exam performance. You might want to ask your Special Educational Needs Officer  (SENCO) or learning support officer to help you explain.

Your SENCO or exams officer may ask you for some medical evidence to support how your epilepsy might affect your performance during your exams. An example might be a letter from your doctor. This is to help with your request for extra help. They will then try to get the extra help for you. This is done in line with the  Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ)  regulations for all exam bodies. If the request for extra help is rejected, your exams officer can appeal. If more evidence is needed, your exams officer will tell you what you need to provide.

The type of help available during exam time

There are two main types of help available: access arrangements and special consideration.

Access arrangements

Access arrangements are put into place before the exam period starts. Your school or college must, therefore, have proof that you have epilepsy before the exams start. They must also have details of how epilepsy affects you. This is so that appropriate arrangements can be put in place. There is a deadline for applying for access arrangements, so speak with your exams officer as early as possible.

Examples of access arrangements that could be available

• Having supervised rest breaks during an exam.
• Having an exam supervisor to sit with you to make a note of any seizures you might have during the exam. They would then allocate you extra time at the end of that exam.
• Taking an exam at a different time of day or place to other people who are taking the same exam. For example, if you usually have seizures first thing in the morning, you might be able to take the exam in the afternoon.

Special consideration

Special consideration is a scaling up of your marks or grade (up to five per cent), after you have taken an exam. The exam board takes into account any work you manage to do in the exam. If relevant, it also takes into account the marks you achieved in previous exams or course work in that subject. They may also ask your teacher about other work you have done on the course. A certain amount of the total assessment (course work, practical or exams) must have been completed in order for special consideration to be possible.

When you might get special consideration

You may be given special consideration if, for example, you have a seizure that affects your performance in an exam. The seizure doesn’t necessarily have to happen during an exam. It could happen before the exam, but still be affecting your performance during the exam. Special consideration could be given if you attend an exam but are disadvantaged compared to other candidates. It might also be given if you are absent from the exam because of illness.

How to apply for special consideration

Talk to the SENCO or exams officer at your school or college. They will then ask for special consideration on your behalf.

The application for special consideration must be made within seven days of the exam. You may need to get a letter of support from your doctor to show that you were unable to start or complete the exam. The exams officer should be able to tell you what you need.

Further information

• Joint Council for Qualifications
• Advisory Centre for Education
  Freephone: 0808 800 5793