How to Get Extra Time in A Level Exams

If you’re worried you won’t have enough time to show what you really know in your A Level exams, you’re not alone. I’ve been there myself, and, every year, thousands of students are approved for extra time, for various reasons. 

Extra time is one of the most common exam support measures, and it exists to make sure your grades reflect your knowledge and skills, not just your speed.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how extra time works, who can get it, and how to apply. We’ll also walk you through deadlines, evidence, and what to expect in the exam hall. By the end, you’ll feel clear and confident about the process.

What Is Extra Time and Who Can Get It?

Before we get into the application process, let’s be clear about what extra time actually means. Extra time is an official access arrangement (opens in a new tab), most commonly giving students an extra 25% on top of the standard exam duration. So, for a 2-hour exam, you’d get 2 hours 30 minutes.

There are two main types of access arrangements:

1. Reasonable Adjustments – These are permanent changes put in place to make sure a disability doesn’t put you at a disadvantage. For example, extra time or a reader might be provided so you can access the assessment on equal terms with others.

2. Special Consideration – This applies if something temporary happens around exam time, like an illness, injury, or unexpected event. For instance, if you break your arm and need a scribe, or you’re unwell during the exam period, special consideration helps ensure you’re not unfairly affected.

The aim isn’t to give you an unfair advantage. Instead, it ensures students with certain learning needs or health conditions are able to demonstrate their abilities under exam conditions. The principle is simple: exams should test what you’ve learned, not how quickly you can write or calculate.

Eligibility is wide-ranging. Students with learning difficulties, special educational needs, medical conditions, or mental health needs may all qualify. For example, those struggling with conditions like

• Dyslexia/Dyscalculia

• Anxiety

• ADHD

• Autism

Or living with

• Physical disabilities

• Sensory impairments

• Recent trauma

tend to qualify for extra time.

Plus, if something slows down the way you process or communicate information, or affects your handwriting pace, extra time could be available to you.

Common Reasons for Being Granted Extra Time

So, what kinds of needs are recognised when it comes to awarding extra time? Broadly speaking, they fall into three main categories.

Learning Difficulties

If you have dyslexia, dyspraxia, or another processing difficulty, you may find it takes longer to read, plan, or structure your responses. Under exam conditions, this can feel like a huge disadvantage. 

Extra time helps balance this out, giving you space to fully demonstrate your understanding without rushing through key points.

Mental Health Conditions

Exams are stressful for everyone, but, if you live with anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition, you might find focus, speed, or stamina harder to maintain. Exam boards recognise this. 

With the right evidence, extra time (or even supervised breaks) can be arranged, so your performance reflects your ability rather than your anxiety levels.

Physical or Medical Conditions

Conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, or temporary injuries can slow you down in practical ways. Pain, tiredness, or mobility difficulties can all impact exam performance. 

Extra time is one way of compensating, and you may also be entitled to rest breaks or smaller exam rooms to make the process more manageable.

How to Apply for Extra Time: Step-by-Step Guide

If you think extra time could help, here’s the process you’ll go through. It might feel daunting, but it’s simpler than you think, and your school or exam centre will guide you through it.

Step 1: Speak to Your School or College

Your first step is to talk to your school’s SENCo (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) or exams officer. They’re the people responsible for assessing your needs and applying to the exam board. 

Don’t be afraid to start this conversation early — in fact, the more time, the better. It’s something they deal with every year and will be able to support you in achieving your best.

Step 2: Provide Supporting Evidence

You’ll need evidence to show why extra time is necessary. This could include:

• A report from an educational psychologist

• An EHCP (Education, Health and Care Plan)

• A letter from your GP or another specialist

The key point is that the evidence must show both a history of need and that extra time reflects your normal way of working. If, for example, you regularly take longer in class tests or need reading support, this strengthens your application.

Step 3: School Submits the Application

You can’t apply for extra time yourself. Your school or college has to do this on your behalf, hence the need to start the process as early as you can. Your school or college will use the JCQ (opens in a new tab) Access Arrangements Online system (the system all UK exam boards follow) to do this.

Step 4: Await Confirmation and Exam Arrangements

Once the exam board approves the request, your school will let you know. They’ll also make the practical arrangements, like where you’ll sit and who will supervise you, so everything runs smoothly on the day.

When Should You Apply for Extra Time?

Timing matters. Applications for extra time don’t happen at the last minute, they need to be planned well in advance. Most schools start the process in Year 12, or even earlier if your needs are already known.

The main deadline for exam entries is usually around February or March of your exam year, with specific dates varying by awarding body, such as AQA's February 22, 2026 deadline (opens in a new tab). If you haven’t applied by then, you risk missing out. That’s why it’s always best to raise the issue early, ideally at the start of your A Level course.

What Happens During the Exam If You Get Extra Time?

Once extra time is approved, your exam day will look a little like this:

• Your exam paper will run longer, typically 25% extra time. For example, a 3-hour exam becomes 3 hours 45 minutes.

• You’ll usually sit in a smaller room with other students who also have access arrangements. This is to avoid disrupting the main exam hall if/when your exam breaks occur.

• You’ll need to stay for the full extended time, even if you finish early. This keeps the process fair and consistent.

Knowing this in advance can help you prepare. Practise with timed past papers, adding on the extra time, so the pace feels natural by the time your real exams arrive. 

For more information on how to prepare for your A Level exams, check out our guides on How to Make an A Level Revision Timetable (opens in a new tab), and The Best Revision Techniques.

Does Extra Time Affect Your Grades or University Applications?

A common worry is whether using extra time might affect how your results are viewed by universities. The answer is simple: no, it doesn’t.

Your papers are marked in exactly the same way as everyone else’s. Universities and employers don’t see who had access arrangements, as it never appears on your certificate or UCAS form. Extra time isn’t about making things easier; it’s about making things fair.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much extra time can I get?

For A Level exams, most students are given 25% extra time as an access arrangement. In some cases, if your evidence supports it, you might be granted more.

Do I need a formal diagnosis to get extra time?

You don’t always need a formal diagnosis to get extra A Level exam time under an official access arrangement. What matters most is solid evidence showing how your condition impacts your ability to work, and that extra time reflects your usual classroom support.

Can I apply for extra time myself?

You cannot apply for extra time in your exams yourself, you can only apply through your school or exam centre, who will send your application to Joint Council for Qualifications.

What if my school says I don’t qualify?

If you request extra time in your A Level exam, and your school says you don’t qualify, ask them to explain why. From there, if you still disagree with their verdict, you can seek an independent assessment or discuss it with a specialist.

Is extra time available for all subjects, including coursework?

Extra time is for written exams, as a reasonable adjustment, but does not apply to all courses or coursework. Coursework and practicals are assessed differently, though other adjustments may be available if you need them. For non-timed coursework, the equivalent arrangement is an extension, or other reasonable adjustment. The best thing to do is speak to your school or college.

Final Thoughts

Getting extra time in A Levels is not unusual, in fact, it’s a well-established form of support. If you think you might benefit, the best thing you can do is speak up early, don’t be nervous or ashamed. 

Talk to your SENCO or exams officer, gather the right evidence, and give yourself the best chance of being approved. And, if you need extra support in the run-up to your exams, Save My Exams has all the A Level revision resources you need to achieve the grades you want.

Exams should measure what you’ve learned, not how quickly you can get it onto the page. Extra time is about fairness, and you deserve the opportunity to show your true ability. And, with the right support in place, you can.

Resources

• Shedding new light on access arrangements data (opens in a new tab)

• Adjustments for candidates with disabilities and learning difficulties Access Arrangements and Reasonable Adjustments (opens in a new tab)

• What you need to know before your exams - (opens in a new tab)GOV.UK (opens in a new tab)

• AQA | Exams Admin | Guidance for Entering Candidates into Exams (opens in a new tab)