GCSE and taking disabilities in to account

[Iamanicelady]

Hi, just posting in the hope that someone can point me in the right direction.

If a child has a disability and you want the GCSE exam body to take that in to account when marking, does the school need to send evidence of the disability or does the exam body take the schools word for it?

You need to be more proactive. Read JCQ’s guidance on access arrangements and special consideration. As well as extra time does DS have rest breaks? Special consideration can sometimes be given for exacerbations of existing conditions, but not just because the student has a disability.

They don’t take it into account for marking, they should have EAA in place.

How were his mocks? Were they much higher than a 3 or is that his exam performance level?

Definitely ask the college about functional skills instead, I'm surprised they haven't mentioned it already.

If he’s answered the questions and still only got a 3 that suggests he doesn’t know the answers. They can’t adjust for this.

The marking has only been half a grade harder compared with covid grading, it’s the same or very slightly easier than the marking/ grading prior to this. For English and Maths this year I believe they have made the marking of easier than other subjects to elevate the number of grade 4 passes.

Exam boards don’t take disabilities into account when marking. They allow reasonable adjustments which might include things like extra time, a scribe, a laptop, rest breaks etc etc.

Special Consideration is different. It is for unexpected or last minute njuriries, illnesses or events such as suffering a bereavement during the exams or falling ill during an exam. Up to 5% extra marks can be given in those circumstances. It has to be applied for immediately.

so for example my daughter was given no consideration for her French exam because she couldn’t hear the recording properly but she was for her maths exam when her dad was taken into hospital that day with a suspected stroke.

Loads of people are dyslexic and most are entitled to take their exam in a room with fewer students, have a scribe, extra time in the exam etc. Maybe a laptop disconnected from the Internet if their handwriting is very poor. These are called reasonable adjustments. It would be really unfair to provide students with a bespoke mark scheme.

It sounds like your son doesn't know the answers and/or doesn't know how to pace himself in an exam. I'm not dyslexic but I remember having to time myself doing practice exams because I knew I needed to write quicker for certain subjects. It's so easy to lose track of time.

If he's having seizures then is he epileptic?