FAQs

Access arrangements are reasonable adjustments provided by ICAEW to support students with disabilities, health conditions, pregnancy/ breastfeeding, prayer breaks or Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs). These adjustments ensure all students have a fair and equal opportunity to succeed in their exams. View icaew.com/accessarrangements.

Most access arrangements can be accommodated at your chosen exam venue. To help ensure the necessary support is available at your preferred location, we strongly recommend applying for access arrangements as early as possible.

If your arrangements are approved after you’ve already booked an exam, and the selected venue cannot meet your needs, your booking may be moved to a different centre.

The guidance provided here covers the majority of access arrangement requests. If your needs are more complex, We will work with you directly to agree on suitable arrangements.

Certificate Level: usually not recommended—consider waiting to sit your exam.

Professional / Advanced Level: yes, if you apply before the booking deadline with supporting documents. 

Mobile phones are not permitted in ICAEW exam rooms. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity of the exam and prevent any distractions or potential misconduct. All electronic devices, including phones, tablets, smartwatches, and headphones, must be stored in a designated area before the exam begins. If you are sitting via remote invigilation, your phone should be connected to our system for monitoring purposes and cannot be used during the exam.

For ACA Certificate Level and ICAEW CFAB exams
You can only sit these exams remotely if your access arrangement is for extra time.
Other adjustments, like stop-the-clock breaks, aren’t supported for remote exams, so you’d need to sit in an exam centre for those.

For Professional and Advanced Level exams
Most access arrangements, such as stop-the-clock breaks or use of a scribe or reader, can be provided remotely, so you may not need to sit in an exam centre. 

If pre-approved: yes, and your exam time will be paused.

If not pre-approved: you may take a break of up to five minutes, but your exam time will continue running.

Yes. If your condition improves, worsens, or changes in any way, you must submit updated document and reapply on the portal.

No, you must upload all supporting documents directly to the portal; email submissions are not accepted.

If you think you might have a Specific Learning Difficulty (SpLD) like dyslexia or ADHD, we recommend contacting CABA, our support charity, to explore options for getting a diagnosis.

If you have a new medical condition, we suggest speaking to your GP for advice and to get updated supporting documents to support your access arrangements application.

To support an access arrangement for ADHD, we require a full diagnostic report completed by a specialist in ADHD. Please note that screening documents, occupational health reports, or other supporting materials will not be accepted on their own—they must be submitted alongside a compliant diagnostic report. We can accept SASC-compliant diagnostic reports as part of a broader neurodiversity assessment, provided they clearly confirm a diagnosis of ADHD or identify ADHD-related characteristics.

• View the guidance

For permanent arrangements: valid throughout your ACA student journey.

For temporary arrangements: we will specify the duration and it will be stated on the confirmation letter.

You will receive a confirmation letter by email, which will include full details of your approved access arrangements.

This depends on your individual condition and the supporting evidence you provide. Each application is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

As a general guide, for short-term conditions, adjustments like extra time and stop-the-clock breaks are usually capped at maximum of 17%.

If you have a condition such as diabetes and need to check your glucose levels using an app or electronic device, you must register for access arrangements for your exams.

For details on how to access and use the device please view our access arrangements for medical conditions guidance.

Unfortunately, no. ICAEW sets clear booking deadlines, which are published on the website and communicated to students through email reminders and other channels. To avoid missing future deadlines, please keep an eye on these updates and plan ahead.

• View the dates and deadlines

You may need to provide one of two main types of evidence, depending on your circumstances:

1. Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLDs)

This includes conditions such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, developmental language disorder, and ADHD. You’ll need a full diagnostic report from a qualified specialist—either an Educational Psychologist or a Specialist Teacher Assessor—that meets SASC standards.

• View the guidance

2. Medical conditions

This covers physical conditions, mental health conditions, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and long-term health conditions. You’ll need a recent letter from your GP or consultant, or a completed ICAEW medical form signed by a suitably qualified healthcare professional within three months.

• View the guidance

Reasonable Adjustments are tailored to individual needs, view the guidance.

• Extra time
• Stop The Clock (known as rest breaks)
• Use of a reader or scribe
• Medical breaks / Medications
• Comfort Aids and specialist equipment
• Position in the hall (onsite exams)

All ICAEW exams are computer-based and include features like:

• Zoom and layout customization
• Background/text colour changes
• Spreadsheet and word processor tools
• Auto-save
• Remote invigilation is also available if you cannot attend a test centre.

We strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself with the exam software in advance, ensuring you are comfortable with its layout and features before sitting the exam

These items are generally allowed in the exam room without needing to apply for access arrangements, but they may be visually inspected:

• Clear, label-free water bottles
• Basic cushions or back supports
• Unwrapped tissues
• Essential medical items like inhalers, glucose tablets, or insulin pens (for known conditions)

It’s still a good idea to notify ICAEW in advance if you’re unsure whether an item is permitted.

These items are more likely to need formal approval through the access arrangements process:

• Noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs
• Medical devices that make noise or require interaction (e.g. insulin pumps, glucose monitors)
• Special seating, ergonomic chairs, or footrests
• Any item not typically allowed in exam settings or that could affect exam security or other candidates.

In these cases, you’ll need to submit medical evidence and apply through our access arrangements process.

If it happens before the exam and you didn’t apply in time, contact Student Support for guidance.

If it happens during the exam, notify the invigilator immediately. If you cannot continue, you may submit an exam disruption appeal within seven days—but not for pre-existing conditions.

We will consider appeals relating to the quality of access arrangements applications, the exam access arrangements provided, or any actions during the process that may have negatively impacted you.

To submit an appeal, you should email the access arrangements mailbox at aa.complaints@icaew.com with the email subject “AA Appeal”.

For certificate Level / CFAB: apply at least 21 working days before your exam. Do not book your exam until arrangements are confirmed.

For professional / Advanced Level: apply by the exam application deadline. For full consideration, submit your request at least 21 working days before this deadline.

Apply as early as possible—ideally when you register or as soon as you become aware of your needs.

Submit your application or enquiry online via: my.icaew.com/examsonline.

Each access arrangements application is assessed individually. SpLDs conditions (eg, dyslexia, ADHD) are usually treated as permanent. Medical conditions may be considered temporary if: 

• Their impact varies over time 
• They are affected by medication or treatment

If your arrangements are temporary, your confirmation letter will include an end date and an explanation. 

Only if you’ve been granted sole occupancy in your confirmation letter by the access arrangements team, please note that in these cases, there may be two invigilators present. Otherwise, you’ll be in a shared room with other candidates.

You are allowed to take a toilet break during your exam. You do not need to ask for permission or inform the invigilator. However, your exam timer will continue running—the time is not paused.

You should aim to be away from your desk for no longer than five minutes

If you have a medical condition that requires more frequent or extended breaks, you can apply for “Stop the Clock” rest breaks through our access arrangements process. These breaks pause the exam timer and are granted based on supporting evidence.

If something unexpected happens, like illness or a technical issue, which affects your exam performance, you can submit an exam disruption appeal (EDA) if the issue was raised at the time. You must apply within seven days of the exam date. A separate application is required for each affected exam. You should read the EDA policy in advance so you know what to do if something goes wrong. Please note that EDA team is different department to the access arrangements team. 

You’ll need to reapply with new supporting documents before the relevant deadlines for your next exam. 

We will work with you to explore suitable alternatives or may offer options to withdraw from your exam.