Reasonable Adjustments Policy

Published: 01/08/2024

8. Consideration of reasonable adjustments

  1. The College is responsible for evaluating the evidence submitted as evidence for adjustments by individual candidates with a disability, as defined by the Act for each exam application.
  2. Whilst it cannot be assumed that candidates with the same type of disability will all benefit from the same adjustments, where a precedent has already been set, previously awarded adjustments may be used as a starting point for consideration and discussion.

  3. Good practice in the support of candidates with SpLDs such as dyslexia is applied in offering a provision of extra time for written examinations, although this should be raised as a recommendation in the assessor’s report to be used as a starting point for reasonable adjustment considerations.

    Extra time accommodations for candidates with SpLDs will also be considered for other exam components where the reading and/or processing of information is required. Additionally, such candidates may have different or further requirements, such as the use of particular fonts, overlays or exam questions printed on coloured paper. Where this is the case, different and/or additional reasonable adjustments will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  4. Where the College has no precedent for a complex reasonable adjustment for a particular disability or special need or where the adjustment requested is more significant than any previous adjustment permitted, then the case may be referred to the Examinations Committee or specialist advice sought from, for example, the representative at the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges.

    If the examination date is before the next meeting of the committee, then the request will be forwarded for their consideration by confidential email, to the Chair of the Examinations Committee, the Director of Education, Training and Examinations, and at least three members of the committee, which will include the chair/deputy chair of the relevant examination and the lay committee representative. The Head of Examinations will coordinate and compile the response and keep the candidate advised throughout the process.

  5. The OSCE and SOE are regarded as competence tests, assessing understanding, clinical reasoning, clinical application of knowledge and professional behaviours. As such the method of assessment is a crucial element of these examination components and any adjustments made must maintain the integrity and validity of these assessments and not affect the format of the examinations. The standard of the competence level of the examination cannot be altered.

    GMC guidance indicates that while there is a duty to make a reasonable adjustment, in enabling the competency standards in Tomorrow’s Doctors to be met, there is no requirement to make adjustments that would alter the standard of competency required.

  6. An adjustment may not be considered reasonable if it involves unreasonable costs or timeframes, if it significantly impacts other candidates, or affects the security and integrity of the examinations.
  7. In all cases the College reserves the right to take independent advice to ensure that any proposed adjustments are appropriate and in accordance with any applicable legislation.
  8. Information on requests for reasonable adjustments, including statistical records will be reported regularly to the Examinations Committee for monitoring and review.
  9. Where a candidate does not believe that the adjustments they have been granted are reasonable, they should refer to the Complaints and Appeals policy.