Special considerations – key reminders for applications

To help make sure Special Consideration applications are processed smoothly and on time, here are some helpful hints and tips.

• Do not delay submitting your requests
  Some applications may need additional information or evidence. Submitting early allows time for any follow-up, helping to make sure applications can be reviewed and processed before results day.
• Select the correct Special Consideration option
  Choosing the most appropriate option at the point of submission helps avoid delays.
• Answer all questions in full and provide clear, accurate information.
  By telling us what has happened, and the impact on the candidate at the time of the assessment, this will help us to quickly decide whether the request meets the criteria for special consideration. The description does not need to be long, just give us the key facts.
• Check the status of your application online
  Email notifications are only issued where an application is pending evidence or rejected by one of the Special Requirements team. You will not be notified by email if the request is accepted. The status of all applications, including those that have been accepted, can be seen in Centre Services
  • A status of ‘Pending’ means the application was received but will need to be reviewed by the Special Requirements team. This review may take some time depending on a variety of circumstances. As long as you have submitted the application by the deadline you do not need to take any further action.
  • Timeout: The system will automatically time out if you’re inactive for a while, so when you start your application, it’s a good idea to make sure you won’t be interrupted.

Making applications for present but disadvantaged candidates:

• Only submit an application for disadvantaged candidates once all of the candidate’s exams in the series are completed. You should only submit a single application per candidate for all affected components.
• Don’t include a paper that was missed entirely in a disadvantaged request. The missed exam should be dealt with separately by making an ‘absent request’. For example, a student sat Paper 1 but was unwell during the exam. The student did not attend Paper 2. You should only submit a disadvantaged candidate request for Paper 1. Paper 2 must not be included in the same request or described as being affected by illness, as it was missed entirely.
• Submit individual disadvantaged applications first, before submitting any group disadvantaged applications. If the application will not submit, there may be an application for the candidate and component already in the system. Please check this in the ‘View request’s section in Centre Services.

Making applications for absent candidates:

• Make an application for every exam the candidate was absent for. For example, if a candidate was absent for 3 days of exams, then you will need to make 3 applications.
• A reminder to only submit absent requests if a student has completed at least one component for the qualification.
• Submit absent requests before disadvantaged and/or group requests.

Making applications for non-timetabled requests:

• If the candidate was absent/partially absent, select ‘Missing or incomplete work including any work for which the candidate was absent’ and complete the steps
• If the candidate completed all their coursework but may have been disadvantaged, select ‘Other problems with completed non-timetabled assessments’ and follow the steps.
• For lost coursework that was complete and marked before it was lost/damaged, select the ‘Lost coursework’ status in Centre Marks Submission (CMS) and record the mark. The candidate will not be selected as part of the sample. You do not need to do anything else.
• For lost coursework that was not marked before being lost and the school is responsible for the loss, select the ‘Lost coursework’ status but leave the mark blank (do not put a zero) on Centre Marks Submission (CMS), in addition to making a special consideration application.
• For lost coursework that was not marked before being lost and the candidate is responsible for the loss, select the ‘Absent status and leave the mark blank (do not put a zero) on Centre Marks Submission (CMS). This will not be eligible for special consideration.

If you have any queries or need further support, please email our team on SpecialConsiderationQueries@aqa.org.uk.