How To Get Extra Time In GCSE Exams

Worried about finishing your GCSE exams on time? If you struggle with reading, writing, or processing information quickly, you might be able to get extra time. Plenty of students get this help every year.

Getting extra time isn't about being "slow" or getting an unfair advantage. It's about making sure everyone has a fair chance to show what they actually know. If your brain works differently, extra time just levels the playing field.

This guide explains how to get extra time in GCSE exams, how to apply, and what it's actually like on exam day. Don't worry - it's much simpler than you might think.

Key Takeaways

• Students with learning difficulties like dyslexia, ADHD, or processing problems can often get extra time in GCSE exams.

• The most common arrangement is 25% extra time, which means a 90-minute exam becomes 112.5 minutes.

• Your school’s SENCO submits evidence through something called JCQ (Joint Council for Qualifications) - you can't apply yourself.

• You need evidence of your "normal way of working" - basically proof that you regularly need extra time in lessons.

Who Can Get Extra Time in GCSE Exams?

Students with specific learning difficulties are the most common group who get extra time. This includes dyslexia, ADHD, dyspraxia, and autism spectrum conditions.

If you have trouble processing information quickly, reading at normal speed, or organising your thoughts under pressure, you might qualify.

Students with medical conditions that affect their ability to work at normal speed can also get extra time. This might include anxiety disorders, depression, or physical conditions that make writing difficult.

Even temporary injuries like a broken writing hand might qualify you for extra time or other adjustments.

The key thing is that your condition needs to affect your ability to complete exams in the normal time allowed.

Your school will look at whether you regularly need more time in lessons and tests - this is called your "normal way of working."

How Much Extra Time Can You Get?

25% extra time (opens in a new tab) is by far the most common arrangement. This means if an exam is normally 90 minutes, you get an extra 22.5 minutes.

For a two-hour exam, 25% extra time gives you an additional 30 minutes. It doesn't sound like much, but it can make a huge difference.

In rare cases where students have severe needs, up to 50% extra (opens in a new tab) time or even more might be granted.

The amount depends on your specific needs (opens in a new tab) and what the evidence shows about how much extra time you actually need. Some students might get 10% or 15% extra time instead of the full 25%, depending on their assessment results.

Your school will recommend the appropriate amount based on specialist assessments and how you perform in normal lessons.

How To Apply for Extra Time in GCSE Exams

• You can't apply for extra time yourself - your school has to do it for you. Start by talking to your form tutor or head of year about your concerns.

• Your school's SENCO (opens in a new tab) (Special Educational Needs Coordinator) is the key person who handles these applications. They know the system inside and out.

• The school needs to show JCQ (opens in a new tab) that extra time is your "normal way of working" - meaning you regularly get extra time in lessons and internal tests.

• You'll need a proper assessment by an educational psychologist or specialist teacher. This is a detailed evaluation of how your brain processes information.

• The school then submits all the evidence to JCQ, who make the final decision about what arrangements you can have.

• This whole process takes time, so it's important to start early - ideally at the beginning of Year 11 or even earlier.

What Evidence Do You Need?

• The most important evidence is formal assessment results, especially tests that measure processing speed and working memory.

• Your teachers will provide reports showing how you perform in normal lessons compared to when you get extra time.

• Examples of your classwork and test papers help show the difference extra time makes to your performance.

• If you have a medical condition, you'll need documentation from doctors or other healthcare professionals.

• The evidence needs to show that your difficulties are persistent and significantly affect your ability to work at normal speed.

• Your school keeps records of any extra time you've been given in internal tests and mock exams - this all counts as evidence.

How Does Extra Time Work in Practice?

Your extra time gets added to the official exam time. So if everyone else gets 90 minutes, you get 112.5 minutes (that's 90 minutes plus 25%). To find your starting point, you can check our guide on how long GCSE Exams normally last.

You might sit in the main exam hall with everyone else, or you could be in a separate room - it depends on your school's arrangements. The invigilators know exactly how much extra time you get and will make sure you get every minute you're entitled to.

You start at the same time as everyone else, but you just keep going when their time is up. Some students worry this makes them stand out, but honestly, loads of people have different arrangements and no one really notices or cares.

The extra time is yours to use however you need - for planning, checking, or just working at your natural pace.

Tips for Making the Most of Extra Time

• Don't feel like you have to use every single minute of extra time. If you finish early and you're happy with your answers, that's absolutely fine.

• Use the extra time for proper planning at the start and thorough checking at the end. These are often where students lose easy marks.

• Practise past papers using your extra time allowance so exam day feels normal. If you get 25% extra time, always practise with 25% extra time.

• Don't rush just because you have extra time. The whole point is to work at a pace that suits you.

• Make sure you know exactly how much extra time you get for each paper. It can vary between subjects.

Remember, extra time is there to help you show your true ability, not to give you an unfair advantage over other students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Apply for Extra Time Myself?

No, you can't apply directly to the exam boards yourself. Your school has to make the application through their exams officer or SENCO. All access arrangements require evidence of need and your normal way of working, which only your school can provide. Start the conversation with your teachers or SENCO as early as possible.

Does Extra Time Affect My Grades?

Absolutely not. Your certificates and results look exactly the same whether you had extra time or not. Universities and employers can't tell from your GCSE results that you used access arrangements. Your grades are based purely on your performance, and extra time is just there to help you show your true ability.

Can I Get Extra Time for Mock Exams?

Yes, once your school has evidence that you need extra time, you should get it for mock exams too. In fact, using extra time in mocks and internal tests is part of proving it's your "normal way of working". This helps build the evidence needed for your JCQ application and lets you practise for the real thing.

When Should I Apply for Extra Time?

Start the process as early as possible - ideally at the beginning of Year 11 or even in Year 10. The application process takes time, and you need to build up evidence of needing extra time in your normal lessons. Don't wait until a few weeks before your GCSEs - it'll be too late by then.

You've Got This

Getting extra time for GCSE exams isn't complicated once you know the process. The most important thing is starting early and being honest about the difficulties you face.

Remember, extra time arrangements are common. 25% extra time is one of the most frequently granted access arrangements, so you're definitely not alone in needing this support.

Your school wants you to succeed, so don't be afraid to speak up if you think extra time could help you. The worst thing that can happen is they say no - but they might just say yes and transform your exam experience.

Talk to your teachers, get the process started, and give yourself the best possible chance to show what you can really do. You deserve every opportunity to succeed.

References 

• SENCO (opens in a new tab)

• JCQ (opens in a new tab)

• JCQ Access Arrangements (opens in a new tab) 

• JCQ 25% Extra Time (opens in a new tab)

• JCQ 25-50% Extra Time (opens in a new tab)