5 Things you need to know about Reasonable Adjustments

There are three key stages where adjustments and considerations come into play:

Before the exam — this is where needs are identified, evidence is submitted, and Reasonable Adjustments are put in place in advance. It’s proactive and planned.

During the exam — this is the live application stage. The adjustments that were approved are actually implemented. But sometimes, things happen unexpectedly, and that’s where invigilators and exam staff need to be ready to respond in the moment.

After the exam — this is where Special Consideration comes in. If something happened that wasn’t identified before or during the exam, but it clearly affected the candidate’s performance, awarding organisations can take that into account before marking.

1. “Everyone gets a Reasonable Adjustment these days.” This is something we hear quite often, and it’s simply not true. Reasonable Adjustments are not handed out like sweets. They are assessed on a case-by-case basis, using documented and evidenced need.  What’s important is that when they do, it’s because the evidence supports it, whether that’s medical documentation, a learning needs assessment, or psychological evaluation.  So, adjustments aren’t about giving an advantage, they’re about giving a level playing f ield. Key takeaway: Adjustments are not entitlements; they are evidence-based supports to ensure fairness, not privilege.

2. “If we offer too many adjustments, the exam loses integrity.” This is a common misconception: The idea that adjustments water down the exam. But they do the opposite. Adjustments uphold integrity by ensuring that the exam measures what it’s supposed to measure, without irrelevant barriers getting in the way. Think about it: if a candidate has a visual impairment, are we really measuring their knowledge of the subject if we deny them magnification or screen readers? Or are we just measuring their ability to see clearly? Adjustments don’t lower the bar, they remove the noise that prevents true ability from shining through. Key takeaway: Adjustments don’t weaken assessment, they strengthen its fairness and validity.

3. “We can’t possibly plan for every individual need.” It’s going to be costly and time consuming.  This one sounds sensible at first, but it misses the reality. The majority of RA requests fall into a predictable set of needs. Extra time, a separate room, rest breaks, or access to medical equipment. If we build systems to anticipate around 80% of requests, we’re already most of the way there. The remaining 20% might need flex and creativity, but they’re manageable. With good planning, it’s not an impossible task, it’s a structured one.” It’s also a cost effective one! Key takeaway: Most RA needs are predictable and plannable. Proactive design makes delivery efficient and scalable.

4. “Invigilators don’t need to know the backstory, just the rules.” Yes, invigilators need to know and follow the rules. But they also need to bring human understanding. An anxious candidate who freezes before starting may not say a word — but a trained invigilator can spot the signs and gently intervene while still staying compliant. Our invigilators are trained not just in process but in empathy. They are the human bridge between policy and candidate, and they make sure those adjustments are applied with care as well as consistency. Key takeaway: Invigilators aren’t just rule enforcers, they are compassionate facilitators of fairness.

5. “Once the RA is approved, we’re done.” Approval isn’t the end, it’s the beginning. The real test is in implementation. Did the adjustment work for the candidate? Did it make the difference it was meant to? This is where feedback loops are vital. Learners’ voices tell us whether the system supports them in practice. Without that feedback, we risk making the same mistakes again. With it, we can refine, adapt, and continuously improve.” Key takeaway: Reasonable Adjustments are not a one-off tick-box, they are an ongoing commitment that requires feedback and refinement.

What does this look like in practice? That’s where TEAMCo’s invigilator community comes in.  From our experience, the top three adjustments we see time and again are:

Extra time — probably the most common, and one that requires careful planning in exam timetabling.

Medical access — for example, students with diabetes needing to monitor blood sugar levels with machines or take short breaks.

Separate rooms — to reduce anxiety, provide quieter environments, or support specific learning needs. These are the bread and butter of RA delivery. They’re predictable, manageable, and when handled well, they ensure candidates can show what they know without unnecessary barriers. 

Fancy joining our team of dedicated invigilators? Sign up today using the link below:

https://www.teamcouk.com/become-an-invigilator

For more information on our exam management services, please contact us via email: [email protected].