Access Arrangements

If you are currently entitled to access arrangements in your university, you may provide the letter detailed above or 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 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 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.

If you have a recent diagnosis and access arrangements have not yet been put in place by your school/college/university, you should provide a signed letter (dated 2026) on headed paper from your school/college/university which should (as appropriate) confirm: 

• your disability. 

• the arrangement the school/college/university intends to put in place in the future including: 

• the amount of extra time in public examinations (e.g. 25%). 

• the amount of time for rest breaks. 

• 1:1 invigilation. 

• any other accommodations. 

• 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. 

Access arrangements are not normally approved for minor or short-term illness or injury. The UCAT is delivered over a period of 12 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.

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.

Access arrangements are not normally approved for minor or short-term illness or injury because these are covered by our Fitness to Test Policy. The UCAT is delivered over a period of 12 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.

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.

If you need a break (e.g., to take medication or to use the toilets), raise your hand to notify the invigilator. Tests without rest breaks cannot be paused; you will lose time when out of the room. Take breaks between subtests to limit impact on test time.

If you are sitting a test with pause-the-clock rest breaks you should raise your hand to notify the invigilator if you need to leave the room during a break.

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.

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.

The UCAT Office does not inform Universities of access arrangements approved for the UCAT, nor do we pass on details of your disability.

Yes, candidates need to apply for access arrangements each year they sit the test; approval is not carried forward from previous test cycles.

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.