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Please help for this with university/extra time?

So I was diagnosed with Autism back in 2022 (when I had almost finished my GCSEs). I have always struggled with processing of information when it comes to exams and so have always run out of time in exams even though I did not actually struggle with the content of the exams themselves. This made me underperform in my GCSEs. I had been predicted to achieve literally all 8s and 9s but achieved nowhere near that due to running out of time. The grades I had been predicted were based on my classwork/homework (especially since this was heavily used as a marker of academic potential due to COVID and prior years not taking exams so is far more indicative of my true ability than my actual GCSE performance).

I didn’t know about extra time and I didn’t know that having autism had any relation to my slow processing or timing issues in my exams until the end of Year 13. This is as my parents never properly explained my diagnosis to me and because the school didn’t know since they thought I was doing so well in classwork and homework so I flew under the radar.

My parents were also uninformed about the whole extra time process so couldn’t help.

I only realised that I might need extra time when my A-level exams approached. This is as I had been predicted 3A*s (again, based on my potential due to my homework and classwork) but then performed way below that in my mocks due to not getting extra time. I knew all the answers and did really well in the questions I answered but I missed like half the exam paper which led me to truly realise something was wrong. I asked my doctor about this and he suggested that maybe having autism would mean that I was suffering from slow processing or having other difficulties and so I might be entitled to extra time. When I confronted my parents about this they said they knew nothing about it since they aren’t well-versed in the education system, and my teachers at school said it was too late to do anything about it since the deadline for applications to the admissions board for extra time for my A-levels had passed. Also, because I needed to show a history of needing the extra time or other access arrangements which I didn’t have since even though I evidently underperformed in my GCSEs (2 years prior), as mentioned, I had flown under the radar (as happens with many high-performing students outside of exams).

So, I did my A-level exams and despite revising and knowing all the answers, I massively underperformed.

Now after a gap year in which I have managed to get onto a Foundation Year course to access a good university (which I really don’t need or want to do since I only underperformed due to being disadvantaged), I am still clueless about what to do for extra time at university.

I have still not been tested to see whether I actually qualify for extra time so yes, there is a slight chance I might not even be eligible; but I genuinely believe that I do qualify. However, I don’t know how to even get a test as I’m no longer at school so I don’t have some sort of SEN coordinator to conduct a test for me; my parents are totally clueless; and as I’m starting university soon, they said to get extra time with them, you need proof of prior access arrangements and proof of medical history but besides my Autism diagnosis I don’t have such proof as I never got any extra time or other accommodations in the past.

So, what should I do? I don’t want to have to underperform at university as well and fail to reach my potential a third time.

How do I even get tested for extra time at this late stage? Can I get my university to test me or maybe some sort of psychologist?

Reply 1

Macclesfield

Note that I don't have any experience with SEN or things like organizing extra time - All my advice can only really be taken as speculation.

From what I'm reading, it was very clear that you needed extra time, and that the school had not offered extra time (Possibly because they didn't know you needed it, possibly because they didn't feel like you needed it). Regardless, I would look to write to your school for GCSE's and A-Levels, explaining the situation to them, asking for a written reference confirming that despite arrangements for extra-time not happening, that it should have been in place, and that you do "qualify" for extra time. If the school itself isn't willing to offer this, write to your previous teacher's asking for the same thing.

This will be your substitute for proof of prior access arrangements; You're in a very unique scenario, and so I'm guessing that the University would have no problem accepting you for extra time if the situation was clearly presented to them. They tend to write blanket statements like "You need proof of prior access arrangements and proof of medical history" to prevent random people applying for extra time unnecessarily, but they tend to make exceptions if it can be shown extra time is necessary (Like here).

As for other questions - Can the university test me, can the university get a psychologist, etc - These are questions best suited to contacting the University directly. Ideally, you should also contact them about not having previous arrangements, or write about this in an "Extra information" space if you have to fill out a form of some sort.

Generally, just contact the University asap. The earlier the better. Most of your questions can be answered that way, and hopefully everything will go well

Reply 2

Lumiere36

Sorry to hear you’ve been so let down by the education system.

You’ll probably find that your university will simply request evidence of your diagnosis rather than explicit recommendations for exam adjustments.

I am a needs assessor for students applying for disabled students allowances. It is very very common for universities to put in place extra time, use of a computer, rest breaks or a small room for students with autism.

Just contact the disability service at your university to request advice.

Please also consider applying for DSAs as you will be eligible for support.