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Access Arrangements

Access Arrangements

Access arrangements are available for candidates with learning difficulties, disabilities and other medical conditions.

Access arrangements should be arranged in advance of testing.

Arrangements not requiring approval

Comfort Aids

The following are allowed into the testing room after visual inspection and do not require prior approval:

Items on the Pearson VUE Comfort Aid List
Non-electronic ear defenders or earplugs (must not have Bluetooth capabilities or be able to connect to any device).

General Accommodations

The following do not require approval but should be arranged at least 5 working days in advance of testing by calling Pearson VUE Customer Services:

Wheelchair access or adjustable height desk (subject to test centre availability)
Screen magnification or colour contrast features (provided using 'ZoomText').
- most test centres use version 2023;
- prior familiarity is strongly recommended - Download a free ZoomText trial
Coloured overlay supplied by the candidate (subject to visual inspection)
- monitors in most UK test centres are 24” flat screen.

Arrangements requiring approval

You must apply to the UCAT Office for approval to put extra test time, rest breaks or special accommodations in place.

Rest Breaks

Rest breaks are approved if you are entitled to these to manage a disability during testing.
Rest breaks (which equate to 10 minutes per hour of testing) may be used to pause-the-clock and take a break without losing test time.
You are limited to a maximum of 3 rest breaks in each subtest or introduction screen.
Read the guidance on pause-the-clock rest breaks and see the timings of tests with rest breaks.

Extra test time

Extra test time is approved if you are entitled to more time to read or process test content due to a disability which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on speed of working.
Extra test time will not be normally approved if you are applying for additional time because English is not your first language.
As the UCAT test is computer-based, extra test time will not be approved if your request only relates to handwriting issues.
Find out about the timings of tests with extra test time.

In most cases 25% extra test time (with rest breaks if appropriate) is sufficient.

Separate room

Approval for a separate room is only given if your evidence specifies you are entitled to 1:1 invigilation. Test centre rooms usually accommodate up to 15 candidates and meet the requirement for testing in a smaller room.
Separate rooms are subject to test centre availability.
Separate rooms are not soundproofed or quieter than the main testing area. You should request earplugs to limit disruption.

Access to medical items (including food/water) at your workstation

Approval is only required for items not considered Comfort Aids.
Evidence must support the need for continuous or immediate access to these items.
This usually requires a separate room (see above), which is subject to test centre availability.
Items not approved must be stored in a designated place at the test centre and used outside the testing room. This also applies if a separate room is not available.
Food/drink must not be placed or consumed near the workstation. You are responsible for damage related to these items.
Candidates with diabetes should refer to this information.

Online proctored testing

Online proctored testing may be appropriate to support candidates with disabilities/medical conditions who would not be able to sit their test at a test centre.
- Evidence must confirm your access needs would not be met in a test centre separate room.
- We will also consider whether you are currently attending school or work in-person.
Access arrangements available for online proctored testing are different to those we can support at a test centre. Online proctored testing is unlikely to be approved if you would be disadvantaged by testing online (e.g. if other accommodations cannot be supported for security reasons).
Find out the timings of online proctored tests.
Online proctored testing takes place in a different test window (7 July to 19 September).
Other eligibility considerations are outlined here.

Access arrangements not listed above

If you are entitled to access arrangements not included above, you should make an application with appropriate supporting evidence.

Application process

Step 1 - Register for a UCAT Account

Create a UCAT Account as a candidate ID is required to make an application.

If you are a returning candidate use your existing candidate ID.

Do not book a test until you receive the outcome of your application.

Step 2 - Apply for Access Arrangements

Complete the online application form and upload correct supporting evidence. Evidence requirements are detailed below.

Applications open: 13 May 2025 (9:30 BST)
Application deadline: 16 September 2025 (12 noon BST)

You should apply at least 10 working days before you intend to book your test. Applications are not accepted after the deadline.

If you apply late in the test window you may have limited testing options depending on test centre availability. UCAT will not take action if you test without putting approved access arrangements in place.

Step 3 - Receive the outcome of your application

You will receive notification of your approved access arrangements within 5 working days.

If you have not received the outcome within this time (after checking junk/spam folders), email the UCAT Office.

We may request additional evidence if we consider the initial supporting documentation is not sufficient.
External advice may be requested to support our decision making.
We reserve the right not to approve access arrangements previously or currently granted by a school/college/university or those recommended by the GP or specialist for the UCAT test.
Applications may be rejected where your entitlement to access arrangements would not apply to computer-based testing.
If you are currently in receipt of access arrangements not consistent with JCQ regulations, you may be offered UK reasonable adjustments for your disability in line with those supported by JCQ.

Step 4 - Book a Test

Book a test online and call Customer Services to arrange any relevant accommodations before the booking deadline.

It is your responsibility to put approved arrangements in place in a timely way before testing.

If you are approved for rest breaks/extra test time you will be issued a Private Access Code (PAC) allowing you to book the correct test. If you have already booked a standard UCAT and need to change this, refer to the FAQs below for advice.

Supporting evidence

The evidence you must upload to support your application is outlined below.

If you provide incorrect evidence it will delay your application.

Candidates in school/college in 2025

If you are currently entitled to access arrangements in your school/college examinations you should provide one of the following:

Option 1: Letter from your school/college

A signed letter (dated 2025) on headed paper from your school/college which should (as appropriate) confirm:

your disability
the amount of extra time you are entitled to in public examinations (e.g. 25%).
the amount of time you are entitled to for rest breaks.
if you are entitled to 1:1 invigilation.
any other accommodations you are entitled to in public examinations.
on what basis this has been agreed, for example a diagnosis from a qualified medical practitioner or an assessment by a registered psychologist or specialist teacher assessor.

Advise your school/college of these guidelines to avoid unnecessary rejection of your evidence.

Option 2: JCQ Form 8/9

A copy of all pages of your most recent JCQ Form 8 (profile of learning difficulties) or Form 9 (profile of need) signed by the Head of Centre/SENCo/Assessor.

Candidates in school/college with a recent diagnosis

If you have a recent diagnosis and access arrangements have not yet been put in place by your school/college, refer to the FAQs below for our evidence requirements.

Candidates in university in 2025

If you are currently entitled to access arrangements in your university examinations you should provide the following:

A signed letter (dated 2025) on headed paper from your university which should (as appropriate) confirm:

your disability
the amount of extra time you are entitled to in university examinations (e.g. 25%).
the amount of time you are entitled to for rest breaks.
if you are entitled to 1:1 invigilation.
any other accommodations you are entitled to in public examinations.
on what basis this has been agreed, for example a diagnosis from a qualified medical practitioner or an assessment by a registered psychologist or specialist teacher assessor.

Advise your university of these guidelines to avoid unnecessary rejection of your evidence.

Candidates in university with a recent diagnosis

If you have a recent diagnosis and access arrangements have not yet been put in place by your university, refer to the FAQs below for our evidence requirements.

Candidates who left education before 2025

If you left education before 2025 you may provide one of the following:

Option 1: Letter from your most recent school/college/university

A signed letter (dated 2025) on headed paper from your most recent school/college/university, which should (as appropriate) confirm:

your disability.
the amount of extra time you were entitled to in public examinations (e.g. 25%).
the amount of time you were entitled to for rest breaks.
if you were entitled to 1:1 invigilation.
any other accommodations you were entitled to in public examinations.
on what basis this had been agreed, for example a diagnosis from a qualified medical practitioner or an assessment by a registered psychologist or specialist teacher assessor.

Option 2: JCQ Form 8/9

A copy of all pages of your most recent JCQ Form 8 (profile of learning difficulties) or Form 9 (profile of need) signed by the Head of Centre/SENCo/Assessor.

Option 3: Diagnostic Assessment Report

A full, post-16 diagnostic assessment report of a specific learning difficulty from a specialist teacher assessor or registered psychologist. This must explicitly recommend a specific amount of extra examination time (e.g. 25%) and/or other accommodations in public examinations.

Option 4: Letter from your GP/specialist

A recent letter (dated 2025) from your usual GP Practice or a specialist (e.g. a consultant or psychiatrist) which must include a clear outline of your disability and the access arrangements you are entitled to for a 2-hour, multiple choice test sat on computer (as opposed to a written examination). The letter must specify as appropriate:

the impact your disability has on your speed of working and the amount of extra test time (e.g. 25%) recommended to remove any disadvantage.
if more than 25% extra test time is recommended why this amount is required to remove any disadvantage.
whether rest breaks are required.
any other accommodations you are entitled to for examinations.

The letter must make it clear that any recommendations are based on the GP or specialist’s clinical opinion. A letter that simply states your preferences or wishes is not sufficient to approve access arrangements.

Advise your GP or specialist of these guidelines to avoid unnecessary rejection of your evidence.

APPLY FOR ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS (FROM 13 MAY)