National examinations are meant to certify the academic achievements of candidates and are administered under a set of standardised conditions. This is to ensure a fair examination and that examination results can be compared meaningfully across candidates.

For candidates with Special Educational Needs or medical conditions, standardised testing conditions may result in them being given an inadequate assessment of their abilities or being unable to take the examinations altogether. To cater to these candidates, SEAB provides access arrangements, which may range from exemption from specific components of the examination and provision of extra time, to provision of a separate room or enlarged print. Each access arrangement application will be subjected to rigorous review by a panel of specialists and considered on a case-by-case basis.

When access arrangements have been granted, SEAB annotates a candidate’s examination certificate to indicate factually that the candidate has taken the examination under conditions that are different from the standard prescribed conditions, and to uphold the integrity and fairness of the examination. Details of the candidate’s medical condition and the nature of the AA granted will not be indicated on the examination certificates.