Access Arrangements
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Access arrangements are available to support candidates with disabilities to sit the UCAT. Access arrangements such as rest breaks, extra test time or special accommodations need to be approved by the UCAT Office before booking a test. It is not possible to add approved access arrangements to an existing booking.
Do not start an application until you have supporting evidence which meets the requirements set out in the 'Supporting Evidence' section below.
Applications for Access Arrangements for UCAT 2026 have now closed.
General Accessibility Support at Your Test Centre
The following arrangements do not require prior approval:
- Standard test tools e.g. Colour contrast features or screen magnification.
- Items on the Pearson Comfort Aid List: can be taken into the testing room after visual inspection
- Your own non-electronic ear defenders or earplugs: must not have Bluetooth capabilities or be able to connect to any device.
- Your own coloured overlay: should lie flat against the screen (kept in place by static) or in a frame that sits on top of the monitor. Monitors in most UK test centres are 24" flat screen.
- Wheelchair access and/or adjustable height desks (subject to test centre availability): Call Pearson Customer Services at least 5 days in advance of testing to make these arrangements.
Access Arrangements Requiring Approval
The following arrangements require you to make an access arrangements application with the correct supporting evidence. Applications will be processed in line with our Access Arrangements Policy.
Rest Breaks and/or Extra Test Time
Rest breaks
Pause-the-clock rest breaks (equating to 10 minutes per hour of testing) may be used to manage a disability during testing.
Extra test time
The standard extra time allowance is 25%. This may be approved for candidates who require 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.
- In line with JCQ guidance, rest breaks may be considered as an alternative in certain circumstances.
- Extra test time will not be approved if your:
- literacy difficulties are primarily caused by English not being your first language.
- usual access arrangements would not apply to multiple-choice computer-based exams (e.g. issues affecting handwriting or constant hand use).
Other Accommodations
Separate Room
Candidates entitled to 1:1 invigilation may be approved to test in a separate room. This is subject to test centre availability.
- Test centre rooms usually accommodate up to 15 candidates, meeting the requirement for a “smaller room”.
- Separate rooms are not soundproofed or quieter than the main testing area.
- Candidates may bring their own non-electronic ear defenders or earplugs, or request earplugs at the test centre.
Access to Medical Items (including food/water) at your workstation
You will need to make an access arrangements application if you need continuous or immediate access to items not listed under general accessibility support.
- This arrangement usually requires testing in a separate room.
- Items not approved must be stored with other Personal Belongings.
Online Proctored Testing
Online Proctored Testing is available in very exceptional circumstances where a candidate's disability or medical condition means they are unable to test in a test centre. See the Access Arrangements Policy for details.
Access arrangements not listed above
If you are entitled to other access arrangements not listed above, make an application with appropriate supporting evidence. We will assess your application and advise on how to proceed.
Application Process
Apply for Access Arrangements from your UCAT Account before booking a test.
Most access arrangements applications are processed within 5 working days. Once your application has been processed, you will receive email confirmation with further instructions.
The status of your application can also be viewed in your UCAT Account. Any approved access arrangements will appear on your dashboard. Ensure you have completed registration for the UCAT.
If you have been approved for extra time and/or rest breaks only, you will be able to book online. Candidates with other arrangements will need to book via customer services. Further instructions will be provided in your approval email.
Supporting Evidence
The supporting evidence you need to provide depends on your education status. Please refer to the relevant section below for specific guidance.
If you provide incorrect evidence your application will be automatically rejected, and this may delay test booking by up to two weeks.
Supporting evidence must include the name, relevant qualification(s) and signature of an appropriately qualified specialist assessor or a recognised medical practitioner.
We may request additional evidence if, in our view, initial supporting documentation is not sufficient to approve access arrangements.
Candidates in School/College in 2026
If you are currently entitled to access arrangements in your school/college examinations, you should provide a signed letter (dated 2026) on headed paper from your school/college which should confirm:
- your disability.
- why you need access arrangements for examinations.
- the access arrangements you are entitled to in public examinations, including (where applicable):
- the amount of extra time (e.g. 25%).
- the amount of rest break time.
- any other exam arrangements (e.g. 1:1 invigilation, access to medical items).
- 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.
JCQ forms are not accepted as primary evidence when applying for access arrangements.
If a recent diagnosis means access arrangements for examinations have not yet been put in place, please refer to the section below.
If you are currently entitled to access arrangements in your university examinations, you should provide one of the following:
Option 1: a signed letter (dated 2026) on headed paper from your university which should confirm:
- your disability.
- why you need access arrangements for examinations.
- the access arrangements you are entitled to in university examinations, including (where applicable):
- the amount of extra time (e.g. 25%).
- the amount of rest break time.
- any other exam arrangements (e.g. 1:1 invigilation, access to medical items).
- 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.
A University Learning Support Plan may also be accepted if it includes the information detailed above and is dated 2026.
Option 2: a full, post-16 diagnostic assessment report of a learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) or ADHD/ASD from a specialist teacher assessor or registered psychologist/psychiatrist. This must explicitly recommend a specific amount of extra examination time (e.g. 25%) and/or other accommodations in public examinations.
If a recent diagnosis means access arrangements for university examinations have not yet been put in place, please refer to the section below.
If you left education before 2026, provide one of the following:
For Learning difficulties (e.g. dyslexia) or ADHD, ASD: A full, post-16 diagnostic assessment report of a learning difficulty (e.g. dyslexia) or ADHD/ASD from a specialist teacher assessor or registered psychologist/psychiatrist. This must explicitly recommend a specific amount of extra examination time (e.g. 25%) and/or other accommodations in public examinations.
For physical disabilities, sensory impairments or other medical/mental health conditions: A recent letter (dated 2026) from your usual GP Practice or a specialist (e.g. a consultant or psychiatrist) which must include:
- a clear outline of your disability.
- why you need access arrangements for exams.
- the access arrangements you need for a 2-hour, multiple choice test sat on computer (as opposed to a written examination).
The letter must specify (as appropriate) whether:
- rest breaks are required.
- extra test time (e.g. 25%) for answering questions is required to remove any disadvantage your disability has on your speed of working.
- if more than 25% extra test time is recommended why this amount is required to remove any disadvantage.
- any other accommodations are required for medical reasons.
The letter must make it clear that any recommendations are based on the GP or specialist’s clinical opinion. A letter that simply states preferences or wishes is not sufficient to approve access arrangements.
If a recent diagnosis means access arrangements for examinations have not yet been put in place, you should provide a signed letter (dated 2026) on headed paper from your school/college/university which should confirm:
- your disability.
- why you need access arrangements for exams.
- the arrangements the school/college/university intends to put in place for public examinations in the future including (where applicable):
- the amount of extra time (e.g. 25%).
- the amount of rest break time.
- any other exam arrangements (e.g. 1:1 invigilation, access to medical items).
- 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.
If the diagnosis occurred after you left school/college/university in 2026, your evidence should meet the requirements for ‘Candidates who left education before 2026’. Please clearly state on your application the date you left education and the date your diagnosis occured. Otherwise, your application may be automatically rejected due to incorrect evidence.
If you have booked a test, you will need to cancel this to apply for Access Arrangements. This is because it is not possible to add approved access arrangements on to an existing test booking.
If you need to amend approved access arrangements, submit a Help Request from your UCAT Account.
Access Arrangements FAQs
How can I add access arrangements to an existing booking?
It is not possible to amend an existing booking to add extra test time, rest breaks or accommodations.
Any existing booking must be cancelled before access arrangements can be applied for or put in place. The usual Cancellation Policy applies.
The date, time and location of the new appointment will depend on availability.
Can I apply for access arrangements if I experience illness or injury?
Access arrangements are not normally approved for minor or short-term illness or injury. The UCAT is delivered over a period of 11 weeks so you would be expected to sit the standard test once you have recovered. If you have a test booked, you should reschedule your appointment until you are fit to test. For other circumstances, please refer to the Fitness to Test Policy for advice.
Is my evidence sufficient to approve access arrangements?
Refer to the 'Supporting Evidence' section above carefully to ensure your evidence meets all the criteria. You may wish to share the guidelines with the relevant person to avoid unecessary rejection of your application.
If you are still unsure if your evidence is sufficient, submit an application with the evidence you have. If we require further evidence, we will advise you how to submit this once we have processed your application.
Please do not book a test until your application has been reviewed in full.
Will you accept evidence that is not written in English?
Supporting evidence must be written in English. If the original version of the supporting evidence is not written in English, we will accept a translated version which must be signed by the original author or a legal representative.
What if I take unapproved items with me to the test centre?
Unapproved items you take to the test centre will need to be stored in a locker or designated area and used outside the testing room.
If required during testing, please raise your hand to notify the invigilator. The test cannot be paused and will continue running; you will lose time whilst out of the test room. You are advised, if possible, to use the break between subtests or pause-the-clock breaks (if applicable) to limit impact on test time.
Can I take water into the test room?
If it is medically necessary for you to have water at your workstation, you can apply for this access arrangement. This requirement needs to be supported by evidence. Otherwise, water is not permitted in the test room as it could damage technical equipment and if brought must be stored in a locker and used outside the testing room.
Do I need to apply for access arrangements again if I did so in a previous year?
Yes, candidates need to apply for access arrangements each year they sit the test; approval is not carried forward from previous test cycles.
Do you tell universities about my access arrangements and will it affect my application?
The UCAT Office does not inform Universities of access arrangements approved for the UCAT, nor do we pass on details of your disability.
Our decision regarding your access arrangements application applies solely to your sitting the UCAT. It does not relate to any aspects of university admission processes, your fitness to study medicine/dentistry or your fitness ultimately to practise.
I have another question about UCAT access arrangements
If you cannot find the answer to your question about Access Arrangements on our website, see our contact us page for details on how to direct your query to the right team.
