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Access arrangements

Access arrangements for the 11+

The short answer

If your child has special educational needs or a disability, they may be able to sit the 11+ with adjustments such as extra time, rest breaks, enlarged papers or a smaller room. Admission authorities must make tests accessible. In most areas, arrangements must match how your child normally works in class, need evidence from school or professionals, and must be requested by a deadline that is often earlier than test registration.

What to do next

  1. Step 1: Talk to your child’s school first

    Ask what support your child normally has in class, and for written evidence. Arrangements usually have to match how your child normally works.

  2. Step 2: Find your area’s request deadline

    It is often earlier than the test registration deadline.

    Key dates by area

  3. Step 3: Send the request with your evidence

    Keep a copy, and write down the date you sent it.

What does the law say?

The School Admissions Code says tests must be accessible to children with SEN and disabilities, with reasonable adjustmentsTests must be accessible to children with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities)Checked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: ensure that tests are accessible to children with special educational needs and disabilities, having regard to the reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils required under equalities legislation; andView the official source. It also says tests must be clear, objective and an accurate reflection of the child’s ability, whatever their sex, race or disabilityTests must be clear and objectiveChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Tests for all forms of selection must be clear, objective, and give an accurate reflection of the child’s ability or aptitude, irrespective of sex, race, or disability.View the official source.

This means an access arrangement is not an advantage: it is there to remove a barrier, so the test measures your child's ability rather than their disability.

What arrangements are usually available?

It varies by test, but common examples include:

  • extra time;
  • rest breaks;
  • enlarged or coloured papers;
  • a smaller room or separate invigilation;
  • medical arrangements, such as being able to eat or take medication.

Some examples from official sources:

  • SEAG (Northern Ireland): they must be applied for by the published deadline with verified evidence, must reflect the child’s normal way of working in class, and can include up to 25% extra timeSEAG (Northern Ireland): access arrangementsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group).The source says: Access Arrangements cannot be put in place solely for the Entrance Assessment. They must reflect the Normal Way of Working in the classroom.View the official source.
  • Bexley: special arrangements must reflect what the child’s own school already does, such as enlarged or coloured paper or extra timeBexley: special arrangements on test dayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: They must reflect the arrangements that are made within a child’s own school, such as enlarged and coloured paper for a child with a visual impairment or additional time for children whose condition means they work more slowly than others.View the official source.
  • FSCE: adapted formats including Braille, large print and modified papersFSCE: adapted test formatsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire).The source says: FSCE also provides adapted formats - including Braille, large print and modified papers - and expert support for schools making reasonable adjustments for candidateView the official source.
  • ISEB Pre-Tests: the online test has customisable features including colour overlays and font optionsISEB Pre-Tests: adjustable on-screen featuresChecked 9 Oct 2026 against ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board).The source says: The test player includes a range of customisable features to ensure a positive test experience for your child, including colour overlays and font options.View the official source.
  • Cambridge Select Insight: 25% extra-time versionsCambridge Select Insight: extra-time versionsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CEM).The source says: Cambridge Select Insight comes with 25% extra time versions for candidates with special educational needs.View the official source.

What does "normal way of working" mean?

Most areas will only agree arrangements that reflect how your child is already supported at school. For example, if your child has extra time in class tests, that is good evidence for extra time in the 11+. If an arrangement is new and used only for the test, it is unlikely to be accepted. Talk to your child's school early, so their usual support is recorded.

What evidence will you need?

Typically:

  • a request form from you, and often a supporting form from your child's headteacher or SENCO;
  • reports from professionals, such as an educational psychologist, specialist teacher, doctor or therapist;
  • evidence of how your child works in class.

Check exactly what your area or school asks for; requirements differ.

When do you need to apply?

Often earlier than you expect. Access deadlines are frequently before, or at the start of, test registration, because arrangements need planning. In Sutton, for example, access arrangement requests have an earlier deadline than registrationSutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET): earlier deadline for access arrangementsChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website).The source says: earlier deadline of 12 June 2026 for submission of requests for access arrangements forView the official source. Find your area's deadline on its page and put it in your calendar now.

What if your child has an EHC plan?

An EHC plan is a plan for children who need more help than usual SEN supportWhat an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) isChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: An education, health and care (EHC) plan is for children and young people aged up to 25 who need more support than is available through special educational needs support.View the official source. If a school is named in the plan, the rules are different: a school named in a child’s EHC plan must admit the childA school named in an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) must admit the childChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: All children whose Education, Health and Care Plan names the school must be admitted.View the official source. If you are considering a grammar school for a child with an EHC plan, talk to your council's SEN team about how this interacts with the test.

What if the request is refused?

Ask why, and what further evidence would help. Some areas have a formal route to challenge a decision. SEAG, for example, publishes an appeals process for access arrangement decisions. If you think a test has not been made accessible, you can raise it with the admission authority.

Sources

Facts on this page come from archived official sources checked on 9 October 2026: the School Admissions Code 2021, GOV.UK (children with SEND: extra help; school admissions), SEAG (access arrangements guide), the London Borough of Bexley (selection tests), the Sutton SET consortium, Pate's Grammar School (on FSCE), the ISEB and Cambridge Insight.

ExamKind is independent and is not connected with any test provider, school or council. This page is general information, not legal advice. How we make our content.

Facts used in this guidesources in each row
FactDetailSource
Tests must be accessible to children with SEND (special educational needs and disabilities)tests must be accessible to children with SEN and disabilities, with reasonable adjustmentsSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
Tests must be clear and objectiveclear, objective and an accurate reflection of the child’s ability, whatever their sex, race or disabilitySource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
SEAG (Northern Ireland): access arrangementsthey must be applied for by the published deadline with verified evidence, must reflect the child’s normal way of working in class, and can include up to 25% extra timeSource: SEAG (Schools' Entrance Assessment Group), checked
Bexley: special arrangements on test dayspecial arrangements must reflect what the child’s own school already does, such as enlarged or coloured paper or extra timeSource: London Borough of Bexley, checked
FSCE: adapted test formatsadapted formats including Braille, large print and modified papersSource: Pate's Grammar School (Gloucestershire), checked
ISEB Pre-Tests: adjustable on-screen featurescustomisable features including colour overlays and font optionsSource: ISEB (Independent Schools Examinations Board), checked
Cambridge Select Insight: extra-time versions25% extra-time versionsSource: Cambridge University Press & Assessment (CEM), checked
Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET): earlier deadline for access arrangementsaccess arrangement requests have an earlier deadline than registrationSource: Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website), checked
What an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) isa plan for children who need more help than usual SEN supportSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked
A school named in an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) must admit the childa school named in a child’s EHC plan must admit the childSource: Department for Education (GOV.UK), checked

Written and checked by the ExamKind Editorial Team. Every fact on this page links to its official source. ExamKind is independent: no test provider, school or council owns us, and we have no ads. Spotted a mistake? Report an error on this page, or see every correction we have made.