Reasonable Adjustments & Special Considerations

As an Approved Program Provider (APP) of WSET qualifications, Slate Wine & Spirits Academy seeks to assess all candidates in a way that puts them at no disadvantage or advantage compared with other candidates. This policy explains how Slate Wine & Spirits Academy handles requests for reasonable adjustments (before an assessment) and special considerations (after an assessment), in line with WSET requirements.

Reasonable Adjustments

A reasonable adjustment is any action that helps reduce the effect of a disability or difficulty that places the candidate at a substantial disadvantage in the assessment situation. Reasonable adjustments are approved by WSET and put in place before the assessment takes place; they give the candidate access to the qualification. The use of a reasonable adjustment is not taken into consideration during the assessment of a candidate’s work.

Reasonable adjustments must not give an unfair advantage over candidates for whom adjustments are not being made, and must not affect the reliability or validity of the assessment outcomes as detailed in the applicable WSET Specification.

Reasonable adjustments may involve:

  • changing standard assessment arrangements, such as allowing extra time to complete the assessment
  • adapting assessment materials, such as providing materials in large print
  • providing access to facilitators during an assessment, such as a sign-language interpreter or reader
  • reorganizing the assessment room, such as removing visual stimuli for an autistic candidate

Requests for reasonable adjustments are not appropriate where the candidate’s particular difficulty directly affects performance in the attributes that are the focus of the assessment.

Applying for a Reasonable Adjustment

Candidates must identify any particular need that may require a reasonable adjustment at the time of enrollment. To allow Slate Wine & Spirits Academy time to submit a Reasonable Adjustment Application Form to WSET’s Exams Manager, candidates must contact Lee Pancake, Academy Principal, at lee@slatewineacademy.com at least six weeks before the exam date for WSET qualifications at Levels 1–3. This lead time is longer than the standard registration timeline because candidates must provide evidence to support the request.

Supporting evidence must be recent, from an appropriately qualified professional, and must describe the nature of the impact on the assessment. Requests submitted without sufficient supporting evidence, or received fewer than six weeks before the exam date, may not be possible to process in time and may be declined on that basis alone.

Specific arrangements for the exam or for marking are agreed case by case between Lee Pancake, Academy Principal, acting as Exams Officer, and the WSET Exams Manager, and vary according to individual circumstances. WSET reserves the right to seek independent advice as appropriate in deciding on specific arrangements. Slate Wine & Spirits Academy cannot apply any reasonable adjustment until it has been agreed with WSET.

Supporting evidence is handled with the highest respect for candidate confidentiality, in line with our Data Protection Policy.

Special Consideration

Special consideration is an action taken after an assessment to allow candidates who have been disadvantaged by temporary illness, injury, indisposition, or adverse circumstances at the time of the assessment to demonstrate attainment.

Special consideration must not give an unfair advantage over candidates for whom it is not being applied, and must not alter the assessment demands of the qualification as detailed in the applicable WSET Specification.

A candidate may be eligible for special consideration if:

  • performance in an assessment was affected by circumstances beyond the candidate’s control, such as recent personal illness, accident, bereavement, or exam-room conditions
  • alternative assessment arrangements agreed in advance proved inappropriate or inadequate
  • the application of special consideration would not mislead the user of the certificate as to the candidate’s attainment

Slate Wine & Spirits Academy does not accept medical certificates testifying that a candidate was unable to attend lectures or examinations as a result of illness. WSET does not award certifications to candidates who were prevented by illness from attending examinations. All assessment requirements of WSET qualifications must be met.

Applying for Special Consideration

Candidates must contact Lee Pancake, Academy Principal, at lee@slatewineacademy.com within five working days of the assessment date for which special consideration is being sought. Slate Wine & Spirits Academy will then submit a Special Consideration Application Form to WSET’s Exams Manager.

Eligibility will only be considered if the request is accompanied by recent independent documentation from an appropriately qualified professional describing the nature of the impact on the assessment. Requests received more than five working days after the assessment date may not be possible to process in time and may be declined on that basis alone.

Cooperation, Records, and No Retaliation

Candidates must respond to any follow-up information request from Slate Wine & Spirits Academy or WSET within the timeframes given. Failure to respond may result in the application being closed.

Records of reasonable adjustment and special consideration applications are retained for a minimum of three years.

Slate Wine & Spirits Academy will not disadvantage any candidate who makes a good-faith request for a reasonable adjustment or special consideration.

Related Policies

Last reviewed: April 2026.