Number of kids getting extra time in exams MASSIVELY overstated

[noblegiraffe]

Ofqual are withdrawing their statistics on how many children getting extra time and other accommodations in GCSEs and A-levels because they've admitted that they are completely wrong. It's something I know has been referenced quite a few times here so I thought it worth flagging.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/jul/17/ofqual-admits-massively-exaggerating-number-of-students-getting-exam-assistance?

"The new analysis suggests that the actual proportion of students receiving access arrangements – including 25% extra time in exams – is now broadly in line with the proportion of students with special educational needs in the school population."

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ofqual-withdraws-access-arrangements-statistics

completely different in a running race the skill is speed. In a physics exam it isn’t. Your analogy is useless.

your analogy would be more like if a candidate was given the formula for each answer. Or given the start of each answer. Because that would be advantaging them in what is being tested. Speed is not being tested in a physics exam.

@BusWankers i’m not SENCO and have no plans to be. One of the reasons it’s really difficult to have an open conversation about these sorts of issues is because of these sorts of responses: people get defensive and prickly, which I do understand believe it or not, I’m not a witch and I do realise it must be frustrating when your child has a genuine need that others are disparaging about.

But I am not the only one who has expressed concerns about the number of diagnosed conditions in children at the moment. I do think it’s something that needs bringing out into the open, even if it’s a difficult conversation. Anyway, while I’m not SENCO I’m also not answering from a point of complete ignorance either.

Because the majority don't need the extra time.
The exam is set with enough time to answer the questions for a "normal" candidate.
They know that the 30 questions can be answered by most candidates in 1hr 30m, with time for a small/quick review.

Most candidates would be twiddling their thumbs during the extra times or doubting their answers and going back over them.

You also clearly don't know that some candidates are given 50% or even 100% extra time, rest breaks, allowed drinks, listen to music, scribes, readers, prompters etc

Because then they'd be sat in the exam hall twiddling their thumbs because they have finished the exam. I could give loads of kids extra time and it wouldn't make the slightest bit of difference to their grade because they still wouldn't be able to answer the questions that they couldn't answer in normal time, and they had finished the questions that they could.

Please could you tell us what your business is so I can make sure I avoid it.

If an employer needs to know about the ability of job candidates to do a specific thing in a specific way they should test all the candidates appropriately under conditions that accurately reflect the workplace environment. A gcse certificate is not supposed to and is not designed to do this function. It certifies how much of the GCSE syllabus each candidate successfully learned and should not be used as a proxy for measuring something else.

If he is arrogant enough and stupid enough to think he is the arbiter of what people need or don’t need he shouldn’t be working with children.

Christ. Imagine the level of arrogance in thinking he knew better than actual professionals measuring need. It takes a lot of hoop jumping to get extra time. Meanwhile Gary the lab tech thinks he knows better

But its not at the discretion of the school to allow/not. As I already explained, they have to apply for RAs. The school don't decide who gets RAs.

She’s twenty one, I presume - she has to take ownership and responsibility for that decision, as harsh as that sounds.

Well the issue is that if they meet the criteria, they get the allowances.

You might not agree with the decision, or be privy to the reasons why.

Like one kid might have a learning difficulty where the need the extra time in essay based subjects, but you might not think they need it because it doesn't present as an issue in your class,because you teach pure maths. (Or whatever)

"Some" maybe, if their SEND requires it and they provide medical proof. Most don't have those adjustments and the most common is 10-15% extra time

That's why I said JCQ would pick it up.

Which he won’t even need as AI will proof everything. So it’s not even a disability in the real world. So he is fully capable abd excellent at what he does and technology will make his dyslexia a non issue and yet people thinking he is somehow a lesser employee and think people like your DH should be treated negatively because they need accommodations in an exam that will never impact in the real world. It’s mad isn’t it?

JCQ don't monitor schools. They monitor AOs.
You are getting mixed up with a lot of what you are saying.

Ofqual are absolute dicks. They should be disbanded for this, they are not fit for purpose.

As an exam invigilator I see this too. Some warrant it but I'm amazed at the percentage that get it. Not sure it's really necessary in a lot of cases as they don't always use it.

You are extraordinarily privileged if you are really this unaware of the issue and think some vague moments will have schools rushing to get you extra time.

the process is long and multi factored and no one just gets it because someone thinks a student is a bit slow. There are many checks and tests and evidence requirements

I don’t disagree. What I’m saying is that when a lot of children meet that criteria, then that has a sort of moves the goalposts for everybody.

You’re saying ‘well they meet the criteria = extra time, done, dealt with, let’s move on.’ I’m looking a bit beyond that. So I’m not actually disagreeing with you, just wondering where we’ll be if every year more and more meet the criteria which is the current trajectory.

Let’s face it, with the number of kids applying for and being granted (a thread the other days mentioning a 1 hour assessment?) some diagnosis or other, the kids not getting extra 25% time (that’s a massive amount) or this or that, are clearly the ones who will become disadvantaged.

The number of diagnosis is ballooning.

What’s to say some type of neurological issue isn’t becoming the norm.

The amount of extra time given is a joke.

Who are you to say who does/doesn't deserve it?
If they fit the requirements laid down by JCQ then they will get whatever appropriate RA they need

Again the extraordinary arrogance of an exam invigilator thinking you know better than SEN experts, psychologists and educators who have worked extensively and for years collating evidence. But then Martha who sits and watches in an exam thinks she knows better. The arrogance is outrageous

Anecdotally I volunteered to invigilate the GCSE mocks at DC’s school and of the 20+ children in the room not a single one worked on their papers one minute longer than the standard given time for the exam. Most finished early.

lol at both being extraordinarily privileged and being unaware of the issue.

At no point have I said that vague moments get you extra time. What I have said is that some of the criteria can be vague and can be seen to apply to everyone. It’s that old ‘all fish live in water, not everything living in water is a fish’ saying.

This system is mad.
Too many people abuse it.
It definitely has an impact in the real world.