Important to know: If you require a neurodiversity assessment coversheet before an Assessment Period starts, you must apply a minimum of 4 weeks prior to submission.
How can I apply for Personalised Assessment Arrangements (PAA)
To apply for Personalised Assessment Arrangements (PAA):
- Submit an application, by logging into Student Records
- Once logged in, navigate to the heading 'PAA' from the homepage
- Select the option 'Apply for or Review Personalised Assessment Arrangements (PAA)’
Important to know: Our article What arrangements are generally made for students with Personalised Assessment Arrangements (PAA)? includes examples of arrangements that are made for PAA.
What evidence do I need to provide when applying for PAA?
If you have a medical condition
You'll need to provide a medical certificate or a letter from your GP/Consultant in support of your application. The medical letter must be printed on the official clinic/practice's letterhead and must be signed by your GP.
The letter must include a diagnosis and the likely duration of the condition. This is to help us understand whether your condition is temporary or permanent.
Important to know:
- If possible, we may ask your GP to detail how the medical condition would affect your performance in a written assessment. You may show a copy of this medical certificate to your GP as a reference.
- Please be aware that if you are a patient at King's Medical Centre, you are still required to submit a medical certificate.
If you have a Specific Learning Disability (SpLDs)
You'll need to provide a full assessment report that has been written in accordance with the SpLD working group DfES Guidelines for Assessment in Higher Education.
Can I use a Joint Council for Qualification (JCQ) short report from my school as evidence?
School recommendations are not usually accepted for PAA, and might not be accepted as suitable evidence of your entitlement. If your examination deadline is approaching, we advise you to submit your application to the Examinations Office, through Student Records, including any supporting evidence that you have so far.
If you are unsure if your supporting evidence will be accepted, or if you need any advice on your application, please get in touch with Disability Support & Inclusion.
Important to know: You might be offered interim arrangements until Disability Support & Inclusion can advise you about getting up-to-date evidence.
Should I submit my application for PAA if I don't have the right supporting evidence to apply?
You should only apply for PAA when you have evidence to fully support your application. If you are awaiting evidence, please only submit your application once it has been received.
If it is close to a PAA deadline and you are awaiting evidence, please email the Examinations Office so that they can advise on the best way forward.
Important to know: If you are unsure if your evidence will be accepted, contact Disability Support & Inclusion who can review your supporting evidence, and advise you further. Please ensure you submit your PAA application prior to any PAA deadlines, in case Disability Support & Inclusion is not able to respond to you in time.
Important to know: If you are unsure if your evidence will be accepted, contact Disability Support & Inclusion who can review your supporting evidence, and advise you further. Please ensure you submit your PAA application prior to any PAA deadlines, in case Disability Support & Inclusion is not able to respond to you in time.
If you are yet to register with Disability Support, please read our articles:
When should I apply for Personalised Assessment Arrangements?
We encourage students to apply for PAA as soon as possible after enrolment. Once your PAA is approved you do not need to re-apply again each year unless your circumstances change (or you change course). You should expect to wait up to four weeks for your PAA application to be reviewed and approved.
What if I have an exam or assessment in the near future?
Please submit your Personalised Assessment Arrangement application as soon as possible and also email the Examinations Office to let us know the date of your next assessment.
To be provided with PAA arrangements for examinations held in the main examination periods PAA applications will need to be received by the dates listed below:
Assessment period 1: Monday 6 – Friday 10 January 2025
Apply for PAA by: Friday 25 October 2024 (or Monday 14 October 2024 for MBBS students only)
Assessment period 2: Monday 28 April – Friday 30 May 2025
Apply for PAA by: Monday 17 February 2025
Assessment period 3: Monday 4 – Friday 15 August 2025
Apply for PAA by: Monday 7 July 2025
What happens if my Personalised Assessment Arrangements are approved too late for an examination?
If you are approved for PAA but it is not in place in time for an assessment, you can submit a mitigating circumstances form. For further guidance, read our article How can I apply for mitigating circumstances?
I have an exam/assessment deadline held outside the main assessment periods
Your course or department may run examinations/assessments which are not during the main Examination Periods. For these courses, you must submit your completed PAA application at least 4 weeks prior to the date of your first exam/assessment.
These deadlines also apply to applications for a neurodiversity assessment coversheet/exam script sticker.
You must also state the date of your first exam/assessment on your application and email the Examinations Office to let us know that you have submitted your application.
Important to know: If you fail to email our team 4 weeks prior to your class assessment(s), we will assume that you are applying for your application to be reviewed for the next central assessment period.
After you've applied for PAA
Our article After you have applied for Personalised Assessment Arrangements has more information on what you can expect once you've submitted an application.