How do I apply for special considerations?
General qualifications (GCSE, GCE, Edexcel Certificate)
- For written timetabled examinations, a centre can request special consideration on behalf of a candidate using our special consideration online tool at Edexcel Online.
- For group requests, coursework/controlled assessment, and oral and practical examinations, please complete and sign JCQ form 10 (below) and send it to uk.special.requirements@pearson.com.
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International qualifications (International GCSE, International Advanced Level (IAL), Edexcel Award)
- For written timetabled examinations, a centre can request special consideration on behalf of a candidate using our special consideration online tool at Edexcel Online.
- For group requests, coursework/controlled assessment, and oral and practical examinations, please complete and sign JCQ form 10 (below) and email it to uk.special.requirements@pearson.com.
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NQF BTEC qualifications (paper-based and onscreen tests)
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Functional Skills
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T-Levels
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If my candidate is sitting multiple examinations, should I make an individual application for each subject?
No, centres should be advised to make an application once the candidate has completed all timetabled examinations within the series.
For example: If a candidate has completed a total of four examinations and was affected in all of them, then you should be advised to wait until the last examinations to submit one application for all affected units.
All applications for Special Consideration must be made within 7 days of the final exam of the series.
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I have asked for special consideration - has it been applied?
You can tell if special consideration has been applied from a number of sources:
- If you have applied online (for timetabled examinations), you can check the status of the online application, which will state whether it's accepted, rejected, pending or withdrawn.
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- The ‘component mark list’ will also show if an application for special consideration has been applied; this applies to timetabled and non-timetabled examinations or group requests. The component mark list can be downloaded from Edexcel Online, but some centres have requested hard copies to be sent out to them.
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- For NQF BTEC you can download the ‘Pass List’ from Edexcel Online to see if special consideration has been applied. The Pass List can be located within the External Assessment section and by selecting 'View results by assessment booking'.
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What additional marks have been applied and how was the decision made to award this grade?
- There are general guidelines for special consideration in the JCQ booklet, 'A guide to the special consideration process' (below). It covers the process that is applied consistently by all awarding bodies. Awarding bodies will not enter into discussions with candidates or their parents as to how much special consideration should be applied.
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- Special consideration cannot be applied in a cumulative fashion, i.e. on the basis of a domestic crisis at the time of the exam and the candidate suffering from a viral illness.
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- Private candidates should liaise with the school or college where entries have been made so that they can apply for special consideration on the private candidate's behalf.
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- As a result of the move to linear qualifications, the JCQ Awarding Bodies have made the decision to lower the minimum assessment requirements for an enhanced (aegrotat) grade. A candidate must now complete 15% of the overall assessment in order to be eligible for special consideration.
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Can I make an application for special consideration after results have been published?
Yes, only in exceptional circumstances, provided the following articles are supplied:
- a signed and dated JCQ form 10 (below)
- cover letter on headed paper
- medical/ supporting evidence.
Special consideration cannot be applied after the deadline for enquiries about results (EAR) for the respective examination series.
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Is there a deadline for special consideration?
All applications for special consideration must be made within seven days of the last examination of the series.
For timetabled examinations you'll need to submit your applications via the special considerations online tool through Edexcel Online.
You'll need to complete JCQ form 10 for any oral practical or group requests (below), which must be signed and dated, and send it along with any supporting evidence to the Special Requirements Team by emailing via the customer portal or directly to uk.special.requirements@pearson.com.
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How do I amend or withdraw an application?
If you have submitted a request for an examination in error, or you want to withdraw or amend a submitted request for a candidate or an examination, please email uk.special.requirements@pearson.com.
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Can we appeal against the grade, as the candidate generally achieves a much higher standard than this?
Yes, a centre can appeal against a decision for special consideration on either a tariff or on a calculated Aegrotat (these are generally candidates who have missed a subject component).
Appeals must be put in writing, along with the reasons, and sent to the following address:
The Appeals Manager
Pearson Appeals Office
Pearson
80 Strand
London
WC2R 0RL
Or you can email us at edexcelappeals@pearson.com.
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Can I get a copy of the decision?
If you've made an application online for a timetabled examination, you will see that the application has been accepted. We can't show what mark or percentage has been applied. Please see the Joint Council guidance document 'A guide to the special consideration process' in the list of documents on this page for further information.
All applications for timetabled exams must be made by either the examinations officer or the head of centre.
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Why was special consideration not awarded?
There could be three reasons why the application was rejected:
- We often receive applications from centres making a request for a disadvantaged candidate when the candidate was, in fact, absent. In such cases, applications are ‘withdrawn’ and processed using other component marks to calculate the overall grade.
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- We will reject applications for special consideration if the reasons given by the centre are not valid or do not meet the JCQ criteria. In these cases, the centre will receive a letter explaining the reason(s) for the rejection. If you disagree with this decision, you have the right to appeal.
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- We will reject any applications for absent special consideration if the candidate has not met the criteria for an aegrotat to be awarded. 15% of the overall qualification needs to be sat before an aegrotat will be awarded – this includes qualifications such as GCSE, GCE, Edexcel Award, International AS/A Level and International GCSE. For BTEC absents learners must have units claimed against their registration in Edexcel Online.
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Will special considerations show on the file that is sent to UCAS?
We will not send any special consideration information in UCAS files or updates. Only overall grades are provided to UCAS.
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JCQ documents
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Pearson user documents
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