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5 January 2023

The summer 2023 exam series is now live for centres to order modified papers via Access Arrangements Online (AAO) and Pearson Access Arrangements Online (PAAO). This means you can now place orders for any modified papers your candidates may require for the summer 2023 exam series.   

The deadline for ordering all modified papers for the summer 2023 series is 31 January 2023.  

Please ensure you place any orders for summer 2023 modified papers by the deadline to avoid the risk of us being unable to fulfil your request for modified papers.   

You do not have to wait for an assessment of a candidate to be completed before ordering a modified paper as we do not require evidence to supply these. You can place your order as soon as you are aware that a modified paper is required.  

We are aware that results for the January 2023 exams are not issued until after the deadline for ordering modified papers. If you are waiting for results before making an entry for the summer exams, please order any modified papers that will potentially be required for a re-sit in the summer. If this is not required following the issue of results, then the order must be cancelled on AAO/PAAO. 

We currently supply 3D models and shapes with every order that is placed for modified large print and braille papers for all Mathematics exams.  

Following recent feedback supplied by centres, there has been a strong indication that not all students require 3D models and shapes.  

We have reviewed this feedback along with our current process, and the impact that creating an unused product has on the environment. We would like to reduce the amount of material we are wasting on unused models and shapes that are being supplied unnecessarily to all candidates.   

From the summer 2023 exams onwards, we are changing the way we supply 3D models and shapes for use with modified large print papers. If 3D models and shapes are required by a candidate using any modified large print paper (18pt A4, 24pt A4, 24pt A3, 36pt A3) then these must be ordered by emailing additional_requirements@pearson.com. You should supply us with your centre number and modified paper order number from AAO/PAAO (e.g MP123456).

Please note: 3D models and shapes will continue to automatically arrive with any orders for UEB Grade 1 or UEB Grade 2 braille papers. 

From the summer 2023 exam series onwards, we are changing the way that the Interactive Electronic Question Papers are supplied.  

Currently all Interactive Electronic Question Papers are supplied by SFT (Secure File Transfer). From summer 2023 we will no longer be automatically sending SFTs for General Qualifications (GQ). These will all be available on SDS (Secure Download Service). If you have sufficient access, you can self-serve 90 minutes prior to the exam start time for exam papers. If you would prefer to receive these by SFT, then please email us additional_requirements@pearson.com and supply the team with your centre number and order number (e.g MP123456) from AAO/PAAO so we can log the correct information.

All Interactive Electronic Question Papers for BTEC and Vocational Qualifications (VQ) exams will continue to be sent using SFT as these are not available on SDS. 

Give us your feedback on modified papers!

We’re always looking for ways in which to improve our services, support schools and colleges and make our qualifications and assessments accessible to all students.

In the first half of 2022, we carried out some research about modified GCSE exam papers. Read our initial findings and find out how you and your students can get involved with the next phase of our research and make a real difference to the future of modified exam papers.

You can find information regarding modified papers and past modified papers can be found on our website.

We are only able to supply past papers that were created at the time they were live exam papers. These are created by orders from centres so we may not have all papers available in all modifications it all depends on whether it was ordered at the time. If you cannot find a paper, please contact additional_requirements@pearson.com.

You must ensure that your candidate is given the opportunity to practice using the relevant past papers, prior to them sitting their exams. This will allow them to get used to the layout and formatting of the papers.