Extra time- can I fight this?

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My DS15 was assessed at 12 and given extra time (slow processing speed) (family history of this). V vague about whether dyslexic. At 14 he was assessed pre GCSE and this time they said he no longer needed ET.
Just done mocks and majority of papers he ran out of time. Knew more than he could write down, missed entire questions.

I asked school to review agian, and so did several of his teachers. Grades were well down on expected.

He sat a science paper with two differently coloured pens, got a 6 in normal time and an 8 with extra.

They are saying he needs two 'things' to qualify and he has only one (slow at writing). That there is not enough evidence for them to submit.

I don't know anything about this process at all and we are panicking because it's just a few months til GCSEs.

They said he can have extra rest breaks and a word processor. He feels he just needs the time ti be able to write more.

What are our options? Can we fight this in any way? His teachers agree he needs it but seem stuck on how to prove it.

The deadline for applications is imminent, if not already passed, so any action needs to be now. I’d have thought the SENCo and exams officer would have made the application, but perhaps it’s been declined.

You can see JCQ’s criteria here.

For applications under the learning difficulties criteria, candidates need two standardised scores of 84 or below relating to two different elements of speed of working or one 84 or below and one 85-89. In exceptional circumstances two scores of 85-89 can be sufficient. Extra time would need to be normal way of working. Rest breaks must have also been considered.

Do you know DS’s standardised scores? If the school is saying DS only has one score in these brackets, you need to know which is was, what the other scores were and what areas of working were tested/not tested.

Thanks for your help I really appreciate it.

Found the report now.
In May 2024 he was assessed

DASH speed free writing 105
WRAT 5 Spelling 88
Processing speeds all within average range
Motor coordination borderline score 85
Holds pen in unorthodox grip and presses down so hard that hand hurts

Bump!

Unfortunately, for applications under the learning difficulties criteria, most with one score of 85 and one score of 88 won’t be eligible for extra time. It is only in exceptional circumstances.

I would have a look at the different speed of working areas in JCQ’s guidance. It isn’t uncommon for schools to not test all the different areas.

Has DS had an OT assessment?

If DS struggles with typing has he tried speech to text software?

I will ask school if they tested everything, thank you. I have only the results I posted above - are there other 'speed types' he could have been tested in?
It's basically that he is really slow at writing.
IDK what an OT assessment is so Im not sure he has. He hasn't tried the software, no. One of the frustrating things is that we have just found out he could have been practising with word processor and rest breaks, but we didnt know he was allowed them.

The deadlines below are from AI, so they may not be accurate. If they are correct and it were my child, I’d be calling around SPLD assessors, explaining how much extra time has improved his exam scores, and getting him re‑assessed — his results may now be more favourable, as they do vary depending on the day and what tests are used.

For Summer 2026 GCSE exams, the deadlines for submitting access arrangements (exam adjustments) to the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) are typically January 31, 2026, for modified papers (e.g., braille, large print) and March 21, 2026, for all other arrangements. Schools must apply via their SENCo before these dates.

Thanks. That's a relief to know we have a bit of time to get this sorted.

If you look at 7.5.10 onwards in JCQ’s guidance it lists the different areas of working.

Often schools don’t test the full range of cognitive processing/fluency. They often only look at certain areas of cognitive processing, which is why it is important to know exactly what was covered in the testing.

If it is ‘only’ slow speed of writing, that alone won’t qualify for extra time. You need difficulties in two different elements. The exam access arrangements for slow speed of writing would normally be the use of a word processor, speech to text software or a scribe. Sometimes along with rest breaks.

Because of the rules around the Form 8, which you can read in the link to JCQ’s regulations in my pp, just going to an independent SpLD assessor or EP for updated standardised scores won’t be enough.

What is his typing speed compared to writing speed? At this point you are probably better off working on improving his typing.

Who did the original assessment? From the most recent scores you’ve given he wouldn’t meet criteria. His writing can’t be that slow if he got 105 in free writing. What’s he like in exams with less of a writing demand (maths etc).

If his writing speed is slow due to mobility issues then it’s not a learning issue it’s a physical disability that’s making him hold the pen differently and press it down. My DD has this and she was allowed to use a word processor/computer to compensate. Is that something you could pursue?