4.6 An exemption is an example of a reasonable adjustment made to a qualification by an awarding organisation. It is an adjustment made by an awarding organisation, in advance of an examination and/or controlled assessment, whereby the disabled learner is allowed not to take a component (or components)¹⁹ . As outlined above, when an exemption is granted, the learner’s performance on the components actually taken will be considered to be the performance for the whole qualification.

4.7 It is generally agreed that exemptions are not an ideal approach and should only be used as a reasonable adjustment of last resort. However, exemptions have been used for many years so that disabled candidates can access qualifications where parts of qualifications are inaccessible, particularly in gateway qualifications²⁰ . Where exemptions are given, this is currently indicated on the candidate’s certificate with the text: "The candidate was exempt from part of the assessment. Details may be obtained from (name of awarding organisation)." This aims to ensure that the qualification remains a reliable indication of a candidate’s skills, knowledge and understanding.

4.8 Exemptions and the use of certificate indicators represent a complex area of reasonable adjustment and are closely linked to subject criteria.²¹ In some areas exemptions are used because current subject criteria may not allow for a more inclusive approach to reasonable adjustments. For example, if alternative forms of communication were considered appropriate for use within GCSE English subject criteria, exemptions from specific components, such as speaking, reading and listening, may no longer be required for hearing impaired or visually impaired candidates. As outlined in Part 2, we are committed to reviewing subject criteria for accessibility and inclusion, in conjunction with future planned reviews.

4.9 As described in Part 2, current guidance on exemptions is provided by Ofqual, CCEA and DCELLS, and has been developed in consultation with disability groups and awarding organisations.²² These set out the following principles:

1. Exemptions are designed to recognise that there are certain learners who, because of a disability, may not be able to demonstrate all of the skills required within an assessment. Therefore exemptions enable disabled learners to gain recognition for parts of the assessment that they cannot access.
2. Any access arrangement adopted should not undermine the integrity of the qualification or the qualification system.
3. Exemptions are granted as a last resort when no other access arrangement(s) can be used. Every effort should be made to identify access arrangements that allow the learner to participate in the assessment of all parts of the qualification.
4. Where an exemption is granted, an indication will be placed on the learner’s certificate to show that not all of the assessment objectives were accessible.
5. Exemptions are applicable to all GCSE, GCE, entry level certificates in GCSE subjects and principal learning qualifications.
6. In considering applications for exemptions, awarding organisations will ensure that learners are no worse off under revised arrangements than they would have been under previous arrangements.²³
7. Exemptions must apply only to those whole components within a qualification where the learner’s disability means that s/he cannot access any of the assessment requirements within the component (or for a Diploma, any assessment requirements within the principal learning unit).
8. Normally no more than 50 per cent of a qualification may be exempted. At A level at least one A2 unit must be completed. For principal learning, 50 per cent of the qualification should be taken to mean 50 per cent of the guided learning hours (GLH).

4.10 Awarding organisations assess each exemption application on the basis of individual need, following the principles set out above.

4.11 The Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) estimates that approximately 100 exemptions are used in each academic year across all general qualifications awarded by JCQ awarding organisations. In the summer 2010 examination period, 6 million GCSE and 2.2 million GCE (A/AS level) qualification awards were made across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.²⁴