Access Arrangements Course (AAC)

SASC Accredited

• Gain 3 SASC-accredited CPD hours upon completion

Learn on the job

• Harness your day-to-day professional experience and work with your tutor to develop your skills.
• Theories, reflection, and activities will help you to explore aspects of your own and others’ practice.

Engage with flexible e-learning

• Study online and integrate your learning into your working day.
• Take part in a flexible module that draws on a broad range of learning tasks and practical experience.
• Work closely with your peers and dedicated tutors online.
• Experience mentoring and work placements that really complement your learning.
• Utilise the latest video and multimedia content, case studies, and problem-based scenarios, directed reading, structured learning logs, online discussion, online questionnaires, peer evaluation, and webinars.

Gain the respected CPT3A qualification

Upon completion of this course, you will be awarded the CPT3A qualification. 

Connect with your peers and liaise with experienced tutors

• Obtain exclusive access to Campus Online.
• Interact with your peers using our advanced learning platform and our unique student forum.
• Enjoy dedicated specialist support from a broad range of experienced tutors.
• Receive expert guidance from us throughout the module.

Choose a start date that suits you

This course can be started at any time as long as you have previously completed the Certificate of Competence in Educational Testing.

Online

Our online course offers fully-flexible learning, designed to fit around your existing commitments, without the requirement for you to be available at a particular time or place. AAC Online is delivered entirely online via our Campus Online learning platform, which is accessible online anywhere, any time, so you won’t need to take time away from the classroom. You will be able to commence your studies and assignments as soon as you have completed payment and registration, then interact with your tutors and peers, track your own progress and access a wealth of engaging and interactive resources at your own pace. 

Intensive

Our intensive AAC course offers 1-day of tuition delivered through Campus Live – powered by Adobe Connect, by a programme leader, followed by tasks to complete in your setting. For an interactive experience without travel costs, you can join these sessions live online in real-time. Our AAC Intensive course has been designed for those who enjoy a more traditional learning approach and real-time interaction with their peers and tutor. 

When can I start AAC Intensive?

The content of the Access Arrangements Course builds heavily upon what you have learnt in the CCET course. Therefore, the CCET module should always be completed before the AAC module. This is to ensure that you possess the requisite skills, competence, and confidence to give context to the content of the AAC course.

If you elect to study AAC online, you will not be able to commence the course until you have successfully completed CCET.

If you opt for the intensive route, choose from one of the dates below.

The content of the AAC builds heavily upon what you have learnt in the CCET course so it would be normal for a student to start AAC after the CCET has been completed.

If you elect to take the online route, you will not be able to commence the online AAC until you have successfully completed the CCET course.

If you take the intensive route, choose from one of the dates below. Be aware, however, that the date of the intensive AAC must follow the date of the intensive CCET.

When can I start AAC Intensive?

If you are attending a one-day AAC intensive course, you will receive access to the AAC module on Campus Online a few days prior to attending the course. At the point of attendance, we expect that you have completed CCET. If this is not completed, you can either wait for the next intensive AAC or transfer to online study at no extra cost.

If you are looking to complete CCET and AAC intensively, it is best to leave at least three to four months between the end of the three-day attendance element of the intensive CCET and the start of the intensive AAC, so that you can complete the CCET assignments. 

AAC intensive dates available:

• 16 May 2025 – delivered live online
• 12 September 2025 – delivered live online

Interested in a SOLD OUT date? Email us and we’ll place you on our waiting list.

If you’re ready, you can book your place today.

You will need to:

• View content to familiarise yourself with the JCQ regulations and the Equality Act, Form 8 and file note completion and online application for exam access. 
• Complete multiple-choice questionnaire on JCQ regulations, principles, exam access application and the Equality Act.
• Complete a practice, formative Form 8 assessment for one of two given case studies. 
• Assess a suitable student without a medical need or EHCP using appropriate test/s, anonymise and upload correctly completed and scored examiner forms. 
• Complete and upload a summative, anonymised Form 8 for that student.

You must first hold CCET 

If you plan to take the Access Arrangements Course on its own, then you must first hold CCET. Most applicants book CCET and AAC together as the combined Certificate in Psychometric Testing, Assessment and Access Arrangements (CPT3A), however if you already hold CCET you can enrol directly onto the AAC.

AAC restrictions

There are some stipulations about who is eligible to become an access arrangements assessor.

• First, in the majority of cases, you will need to have an undergraduate degree.

If, however, you do not possess an undergraduate degree but believe that you are ready for level 7 study, you will need to complete a pre-course essay on the purposes of assessment in education. If, upon submission, your essay evidence that you are ready to study at level 7, then you will be able to take CPT3A with us.

• Secondly, you will need to ensure that the restrictions below do not apply to you.

If by special arrangement, you are allowed to enrol on the AAC without undertaking our CCET course you will not receive a CPT3A qualification or certificate.

The JCQ access arrangements assessor restriction that you must be aware of before you apply

The JCQ publishes criteria that must be met if you wish to be an access arrangements assessor. This level 7 course meets all of the criteria laid down by the JCQ with one exception: the requirement that access arrangements assessors hold an appropriate teaching qualification.

Do you have an ‘appropriate qualification’?

To become an access arrangements assessor, the JCQ requires that, as well as holding a suitable qualification in assessment, you also need to hold an appropriate qualification to teach and make recommendations for secondary aged or adult learners who have learning difficulties.

You have an appropriate qualification if you meet one of the following requirements:

• Hold qualified teacher status (QTS) or qualified teacher learning and skills (QTLS).
• Are an employed teacher in FE, HE or the independent sector.
• Have qualified as a higher level teaching assistant (HLTA), or are working as an HLTA.
• Have a level 5/7 SpLD specialist teacher/practitioner qualification which would make you eligible for ADG/ATS/APS status.
• Possess a teaching qualification, but do not work in a school setting (e.g. a consultant). If you tick this box, you will need to have access to students and test documents, etc.

Please bear in mind: teaching assistants (TAs) who do not meet the eligibility criteria above are not eligible to become access arrangements assessors.

We ask all those who enrol to complete a pre-course information questionnaire that will check your eligibility. If, in the unlikely event, you are not eligible, you will be entitled to withdraw from the course and the fee will be cancelled.

Do get in touch if you wish to discuss your individual circumstances.

JCQ regulations say that access arrangements assessors need an appropriate level 7 or equivalent qualification, and at least ‘100 hours relating to individual specialist assessment’.

Does AAC meet these needs?

Yes, it does, although you must complete CCET before you take the Access Arrangements Course. In line with this, when you complete AAC you will gain the CPT3A qualification, which fully meets the ‘100 hours relating to individual specialist assessment’. Accordingly, we are pleased to confirm that this course satisfies all of the latest JCQ regulations.

Please note: CPT3A always takes account of the latest JCQ regulations. At the time of writing, the most recent JCQ regulations relate to 2024/2025. This course will enable SENCOs/access arrangements assessors to implement the latest JCQ regulations and guidance; prepare suitable and up-to-date assessments, and submit correct and accurate evidence to exam boards.

Read the JCQ’s latest assessor criteria.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, to be eligible, you will need a high level of competence in the use of English, equivalent to at least 6.5 ( with a minimum of 6 in each component ) in the IELTS test or TOEFL 575 (paper based), 237 (computer based). You will be asked to confirm this as part of the booking process.

• Online – £895 + VAT.
• Intensive – £895 + VAT.

For further information please visit our payment FAQ page.

Speak to us (01273 358080) or make a booking.

The duration of this course is up to four months.

Depending on your availability and level of prior experience, these courses can be accomplished in a shorter time-frame. 

We do understand, however, that circumstances can arise that could prevent the course being completed in this time period. If this is the case, an extension can be arranged in conjunction with the admin team and your tutor.

• Join one of our Masters programmes as if you have 30 Masters level credits. Achieve a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, or even a Masters of Education!
• Become a Specialist SpLD Assessor: Achieve a Level 5 or Level 7 SpLD Specialist Teaching qualification (which is eligible for Associate (ADG) membership of The Dyslexia Guild or equivalent membership with a recognised professional body) and be registered with the British Psychological Society Register of Qualifications in Test Use (BPS RQTU) as a Test User. This will enable you to go on to study our Dyslexia – Professional Report Writing (DPRW) module and apply for an Assessment Practising Certificate (APC).
• Be eligible to join The Dyslexia Guild at the membership grade of Practitioner of The Dyslexia Guild Assessor of Access Arrangements (PDG3A). This will give you access to a range of benefits that you can view here!