4.12 Principles 3, 7 and 8 of the current guidance on exemptions are relevant to specifications which may be made under section 96. We would propose specifications stating that exemptions may only be used where no other reasonable adjustment is available, that they be limited to a certain percentage of a qualification and that exemptions are only applied to a whole component where a candidate cannot access any of that component. In the light of both the proposals below, which allow for a greater range of reasonable adjustments than are now normally permitted²⁵ , and the estimates that the current maximum percentage of a qualification which is normally exempted is significantly less than 50 per cent, it is worth considering whether the 50 per cent recommended maximum exemption limit should be reduced.

4.13 Allowing exemptions for whole components only where a candidate cannot access any of that component, helps to ensure that exemptions are seen as a reasonable adjustment of last resort, where no other reasonable adjustments are available. Furthermore, in the context of exemptions, a component is the smallest part of a qualification assessable in its own right, and it may not therefore be practical or possible for an awarding organisation to assess only a part of a component.

4.14 Allowing the use of exemptions minimises the disadvantage faced by disabled candidates. Imposing certain limitations on their use maintains public confidence and secures that the qualifications provide a reliable indication of the knowledge, skills and experience of the candidate.