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How do extra time and rest breaks work in GCSEs?

26 replies

Greenlandscape · 11/07/2026 05:34

DC is in year 10.

I received an email yesterday from English Teacher with mock result; he also said he has send a form requesting an extra 25 percent additional time and rest break for all assessments going forward; and suggested I speak to other teachers to do the same.

I have enquired about this before with school before but didn’t get a response. I have been in touch with all teachers recently as I was leaving it to school and DC until I realised I couldn’t. I am very pleased the English teacher has requested this.

DC got a 3 for the English Literature Mock, a 3 for Maths and a double 5 for science. Last English Language mock which was last year was a 4. He said. DC target for English Language and English Literature according to SATS is 5.

How do rest breaks and additional time work in GCSE? I guess they just use it if they need to or don’t if they don’t need to; but how you do rest breaks?

OP posts:
pancakestastelikecrepe · 13/07/2026 20:09

FruAashild · 13/07/2026 19:54

Yeah some kind of slow processing, she knows her stuff but can't get it all down in the time required. I've read the JCQ guidelines and they clearly say they're not testing timing, the exams are testing knowledge, extra time doesn't change what you know. When we asked her about running out of time she said it happened all the time, DH said he had the same issue when he was doing exams whereas DD1 and I always have finished with plenty time to spare. All academic.

And you're right, the college have done their assessments and gathered evidence over the last six months of in-college assessments and are putting in the request but she's not officially got it yet (she didn't do AS levels). That said the college is excellent and is very on the ball and so if they say she should get it I believe them.

Good to know - and good luck to your DD! 🙌🏼

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