FAQs

To apply for access arrangements or ask us a question please contact online at my.icaew.com/examsonline.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible as soon as you register as student, or as soon as you are aware that you may need access arrangements.

Certificate Level and CFAB exams

Please apply for access arrangements no later than 21 working days before your intended exam date, and do not book your exam until arrangements have been confirmed. Our process may take more than 21 working days during peak periods, if you are requesting complex arrangements, or those which require more information.

Professional and Advanced Level exams

For each exam session the access arrangements application deadline is the same date as the exam applications deadline. We recommend that your completed application is submitted to no later than 21 workings days before the exam entry deadline. This will enable us to fully consider of your application, allow time for you to provide further information should it be requested, and put approved arrangements into operation for your exams.

You can apply for access arrangements at any point within your student journey, however, we cannot put access arrangements into operation if the request is received after the deadline of your chosen exam session.

We will accept applications until the deadline date, however, if you apply very close to the deadline, we may not have sufficient time to inform you of any discrepancies in your application to allow you to obtain any further information should it be required.

If you have a condition which arises after the deadline, you should contact us immediately so we can advise you on the best course of action. You may need to consider whether to defer your exam. View all key exam dates and deadlines

• View all key exam dates and deadlines

If your application meets the criteria set out in this guidance, ICAEW will make an independent decision on the arrangements we can provide. This means that the arrangements we award may be different to those recommended by your doctor or those you were granted by another organisation or university, as professional exams are subject to different regulations. The type and extent of any access arrangements you are awarded is at the discretion of ICAEW. 

We will review your enquiry or application and aim to provide a response within 21 working days; in some circumstances this can take a little longer. We will then let you know if your application can be approved, or if we need more information.

If we need more information, we will write to you telling you what you need to send us. Once we’ve received the information we need, we will deal with your application within our published timescales. 

Some complex access arrangements take longer to arrange. If we’re not able to meet your needs on the date you have chosen, we’ll work with you to offer alternatives or inform you of the next exam session when we can accommodate your needs.

Arrangements which are made on a temporary basis will require you to apply again when your award expires, if necessary. Please ensure any current evidence is submitted before the deadline of your chosen exam session.

At Certificate Level we can only accommodate extra time remotely, other arrangements such as stop the clock cannot be accommodated remotely and you will be required to attend a centre.

• Remote invigilation FAQs

Yes, we can accommodate most access arrangements remotely for Professional and Advanced Level including stop the clock rest breaks, the use of a scribe and the use of a reader. If you have any questions regarding how your arrangements will be accommodate remotely at Professional and Advanced level please submit and enquiry online at my.icaew.com/examsonline.

We can accommodate most access arrangements in your chosen exam venue. We recommend that you apply for access arrangements as early as possible to secure the arrangements you need at the centre of your choice. 

If you are granted access arrangements after applying for an exam session, which cannot be accommodated in the venue you have selected, your booking may be transferred to a different centre.

Students will be accommodated in a room with other students in the venue of their choice, regardless of whether they also have access arrangements.

Students awarded the ‘sole occupancy’ arrangement are provided with their own room as standard. If you are awarded sole occupancy, there may be two invigilators present.

The information relating to venues covers the vast majority of access arrangements requests. However, if your requirements are complex, we will discuss individual arrangements with you.

If you are unhappy with the outcome of your application, please let us know by submitting your enquiry online at my.icaew.com/examsonline, explaining clearly the reason for your dissatisfaction along with any additional evidence.

If further information/evidence is required there may not be time to award the arrangements in time for that exam session.

For Certificate Level exams we may not be able to consider access arrangements for any short-term problems that occur immediately before an exam. Instead, you will need to consider deferring and booking another date. 

For Professional and Advanced Level exams you can apply for access arrangements for short term conditions that will impact your exam performance. Please submit your supporting evidence at my.icaew.com/examsonline, no later than the booking deadline of your chosen exam session.

We require a full diagnostic report for ADHD, which must be completed by a specialist in ADHD. Screening documents, occupational health reports or other supporting documents will not be accepted, unless submitted alongside a compliant diagnostic report.

We can accept SASC compliant diagnostic reports as part of a holistic neurodiversity assessment, provided they confirm either ADHD or characteristics of ADHD. 

ICAEW can consider evidence from your doctor or midwife in application for access arrangements due to pregnancy. Alternatively, we can also consider your MAT B1 form.

To apply for access arrangements for prayer breaks, you must submit your application online no later than the deadline for your chosen exam. You will need to specify which exams you require breaks for and the expected timing of these breaks. If your application is submitted after the deadline, you will still be allowed to take breaks of no more than 5 minutes, but your exam time will not be paused.