How to Get Extra Time in Exams: UK Dyslexia Guide
Extra time is one of the most effective adjustments for dyslexic students taking exams. If you process text more slowly, struggle with reading, or need time to organise your thoughts on paper, getting this arrangement recognised can transform your exam performance.
This guide walks you through how to get extra time in exams in the UK, what evidence you'll need, and how to prepare once you've got it approved.
Understanding Extra Time as an Access Arrangement
Extra time is classified as an "access arrangement" by exam boards like Pearson, AQA, and OCR. It's not special treatment, it's a recognised adjustment that levels the playing field. Dyslexic students typically receive between 25% and 50% extra time, depending on the severity of their difficulty and the evidence supporting it.
Access arrangements are designed to remove barriers to demonstrating your knowledge. They don't change the exam content or make it easier; they simply give you more time to read questions carefully, process information, and write your answers without the pressure of a ticking clock making your dyslexia worse.
Get a Formal Assessment
The first step in how to get extra time in exams is having a formal assessment of your dyslexia. This is essential. Exam boards won't grant extra time based on a parent's concern or a teacher's observation alone.
If you're at secondary school, speak to your SENCO (Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator). They can arrange a psychoeducational assessment, often through an educational psychologist. If your school doesn't offer this, you can also pay for a private assessment.
The assessment should clearly identify your dyslexia and document how it affects your ability to read, process, and write under timed conditions. Private assessments typically cost £400 to £800 and take 2 to 3 hours. Look for assessors accredited by the British Psychological Society.
Your assessment report needs to be recent (usually conducted within the past 26 months for GCSE and A-level exams) and must specifically address the impact on exam performance.
Submit Your Access Arrangements Application
Once you have your assessment, your school's SENCO submits an access arrangements application to the relevant exam board before the published deadline, usually in March for summer exams.
The application includes:
- Your assessment report
- Evidence of normal way of working in lessons (previous exam scripts, classwork showing extended time needs)
- Detailed information about how your dyslexia affects reading and writing speed
- Specific arrangements being requested
Don't rush this stage. The more thorough your evidence, the more likely the exam board will approve your request without asking for additional information.
If your school doesn't submit by the deadline, contact the exam board directly. Some allow late applications, though approval might take longer.
Build Your "Normal Way of Working" Evidence
Exam boards look carefully at whether you actually use extra time in lessons. This is called your "normal way of working." If you've never had extra time in classroom assessments, the exam board may question why you need it in an actual exam.
Start now. Work with your teachers to ensure that when you complete practice tests, mock exams, and class assessments, you're given the same extra time you're requesting for your formal exams. Get written records of this. Photographs of marked-up exam scripts or a simple log from your teachers stating the date, subject, and time given can all support your application.
Tools like Dyslexly can help during this evidence-gathering phase. The extension provides colour overlays, text-to-speech, and word simplification, which can reduce the cognitive load while you're reading exam questions. Using this kind of support during practice exams shows exam boards that you actively use assistive technology, strengthening your case for extra time.
Prepare Strategically Once Approved
Once you've got approval for extra time, your exam performance depends on how well you use those extra minutes.
Practise full mock exams under the exact conditions you'll face. If you're getting 25% extra time, that means a two-hour exam becomes two hours and 30 minutes. Time yourself accurately so you know what that feels like.
Develop a time allocation strategy for each exam. For example, in an English Literature exam with multiple questions, decide in advance how many minutes you'll spend on each one. Write this on your answer paper before you start. This prevents you from spending 45 minutes on one question and running short on another.
Read questions twice. This is where extra time proves its value for dyslexic students. Your first read gets the gist; your second read catches details you might have missed. Mark key instruction words like "analyse," "evaluate," or "compare" with a highlighter so you don't overlook what the question actually wants.
Break essay planning into small steps. Spend the first few minutes of your extra time writing a quick outline: introduction point, three supporting points, conclusion. This structure, written down, stops you from wandering off-topic mid-answer, which wastes even more time.
Know Your Rights and Exam Board Policies
Each exam board has slightly different policies on access arrangements. Familiarise yourself with your exam board's specific guidance. AQA, Edexcel, OCR, and WJEC all have publicly available access arrangements documents on their websites.
Understand what extra time covers. It typically applies to written exams but may not apply to oral exams, practical exams, or some controlled assessments. Some exam boards allow the use of assistive technology alongside extra time; others have restrictions.
If your application is turned down, you have the right to appeal. Work with your SENCO to gather additional evidence and resubmit. Appeals are rarely successful without new or stronger evidence, so ask the exam board specifically what's missing from your first application.
For more information on supporting dyslexic learners across the organisation, schools can visit Dyslexly's resources for educators, which outline how assistive technology fits alongside formal exam arrangements.
Keep Records of Everything
From the moment you start the process, keep copies of every email, report, and form you submit. Save your assessment report in multiple places. Take screenshots of your school's confirmation that they've submitted your access arrangements application.
When you receive approval for extra time, print it out and keep it with your exam information. Two weeks before your exams, check with your school's exams officer to confirm they've recorded your arrangement correctly. Mistakes happen, and you want to catch them before exam day.
Once you're in the exam hall, the invigilator should remind you of your extra time at the end. Make sure you actually get it. If the invigilator tries to collect your paper before your time is up, remind them politely that you have an access arrangement.
Conclusion
Getting extra time in exams involves a formal process, but it's absolutely achievable if you follow the steps. Start with a proper assessment, gather evidence of how dyslexia affects your work, submit a thorough application, and build a strong track record of using extra time in your everyday study. Once approved, practise under real exam conditions so the extra time works for you, not against you. The goal isn't to rush through an exam in extra time; it's to read carefully, think clearly, and show what you actually know.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get extra time without a formal diagnosis? Exam boards require evidence from a qualified educational psychologist or specialist assessor. Teacher observations alone are not sufficient. If you suspect you have dyslexia but haven't been assessed, contact your SENCO or arrange a private assessment as soon as possible.
How much extra time do most dyslexic students get? Most receive 25% extra time, which is the standard award. Some students with more significant difficulties may receive 50% extra time. The exact amount depends on your assessment report and how severely dyslexia affects your reading and writing speed.
What if my school's SENCO won't apply for extra time? You can contact the exam board directly, though they prefer applications through schools. If there's a genuine barrier, speak to your school's leadership team or local authority SEND team. You have the right to apply even if your school is reluctant.
Will extra time affect my exam results or university applications? No. Extra time is recorded as an access arrangement, not as a "lower grade." Universities see your grade, not how you achieved it. Many universities recognise that assistive technology and extra time help level the playing field for dyslexic students.
Can I use the same extra time for A-levels that I had at GCSE? Not automatically. You'll need to reapply when you start A-levels, and your assessment should ideally be recent (within 26 months). If your assessment is older, you may need an updated report to secure the same arrangement.