Special examination protocol
This protocol is developed in accordance with the Assessment Rules. The below outlines the
manner in which 11(1) of the Assessment Rules will be implemented. 11(1) of the rules
states:
11(1) The Delegated Authority may permit a student who was eligible to take an examination
in a course but was unable to attend the examination to take such special examination as the
Delegated Authority determines.
I.
Special examinations
Special examinations may only be granted under exceptional circumstances; e.g. if a student
is in hospital, unable to walk, or otherwise so incapacitated that they cannot attend the
examination room. If a student is unwell on or before the exam date, they should sit the exam
and then submit a request for special consideration from the course authority.
A student who wishes to be granted a degree has an obligation to attend the exams required
by the Department/School on the date and under the conditions prescribed by the
Department/School. Exams are held in order to assess coursework under conditions which, so
far as possible, are the same for all students. It is a University requirement that students must
be available for examination during the entirety of the published examination period.
Unavoidable circumstances which prevent a student attending the examination are those
which:
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could not have reasonably been anticipated, avoided or guarded against by the
student, and
were beyond the student's control
Students must provide appropriate evidence of any reason for non-attendance. In the case of
illness or accident students must attend a doctor or medical clinic on the day of the
examination, unless there are special and documented circumstances, and provide a medical
certificate or police report.
Students should not assume that non-attendance at the examination and an application will
lead to a special examination being given. The granting of a Special Examination is solely at
the College's discretion and provision of a medical certification does not necessarily
guarantee the granting of a special examination. The College will judge the severity based on
the medical report and taking into account all relevant factors.
Students are encouraged to attend the examination as scheduled and apply for Special
Consideration. Where performance during the exam has been adversely affected by illness or
other cause leading to the student being unable to complete the examination, an invigilator
must be notified and a request for a further exam lodged as soon as possible.
A special examination cannot be held until the College approves the student's request.
Lecturers may not offer or approve a special examination for final examinations without
College Office consent.
II.
Grounds for special examinations
The following circumstances are acceptable grounds for an application for Special
Examination, on provision of supporting documents:
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a member of the armed forces involved in compulsory exercises;
a person in full-time employment required to be absent from the ACT by his or her
employer;
a person representing ACT or Australia at a national or international sporting or
cultural event;
a person on jury duty;
a death in the immediate family that directly affects your ability to attend the
scheduled examination;
religious obligations which are not covered by special examination arrangements;
relevant educational purpose (eg. commencement of northern hemisphere course); and
inability to attend an exam due to a serious medical condition or emergency. In this
case, a request for a special exam must be lodged within three working days after the
time fixed for conclusion of the examination. The request must be accompanied by a
written statement explaining why the student was prevented from attending the
examination and by such supporting evidence as is available to the student.
The following problems are not regarded as severe enough so as to warrant a special
examination:
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A cold or mild virus;
an illness for a few days preceding exams (it is the whole semester's work which is
assessed);
a sore throat or cramping;
a minor headache;
mild gastro-intestinal infections;
feeling out of sorts, etc, on the day of the exam;
A minor accident involving a few hours paperwork;
misreading, misunderstanding or failure to read an examination timetable (unless the
Dean is satisfied that the timetable is in some way at fault);
two exams on the same day;
exams on succeeding days;
what you regard as an inconvenient or onerous exam timetable;
routine demands of employment;
routine family problems such as domestic tension with or between parents, spouses,
and other people closely involved with the student;
difficulties adjusting to university life, and the demands of academic work;
stress or anxiety associated with examinations or any aspect of academic work;
routine need for financial support;
an interruption to study during the semester;
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demands of sports, clubs, and social or extra-curricular activities;
family or personal travel arrangements which conflict with the exam timetable; and
other instances of minor illness or minor circumstance that are not listed as
appropriate grounds earlier in this section.
Students who make travel arrangements or work or arrange other commitments during the
examination period do so at their own risk.
Students with ongoing issues of a medical nature are advised to register with the Disability
Services Centre well before the examination period. The Special Examinations policy is
designed for short-term, unexpected ilness. The Disability Services Centre is able to provide
more practical solutions to long term issues than is enabled by this policy.
III.
Application process for special examinations
Requests for a Special Examination must be made on the standard University form
Application for Special Examination.
The completed Special Examination form should be submitted to:
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The relevant School Office for mid-semester examinations and other examinations
that fall outside of the official University examination period; or
The ANU College of Business and Economics College Office for final examinations
for courses.
Medical documentation which simply states that a student is suffering from a "medical
condition" or other vague term will not be accepted. The College prefers that a medical
practitioner has completed Part B of the application form. If this is not possible, then the
medical certificate must address all the questions in that part of the form, including giving a
clear diagnosis, indicating whether the practitioner is the student's usual doctor, and
indicating whether the doctor believes the severity of the condition was sufficient to prevent
the student from attending the examination. Where complete information is not provided
with the initial application the request for a Special Examination will be denied.
Students with medical ailments of an ongoing nature must have Section B of the Special
Examination form completed either by their regular practitioner or the University's Disability
Services Centre. Students with an ongoing ailment who have Section B completed by
someone who is not their regular doctor will not be approved for a special examination.
Applications lodged more than 3 working days after the date of the examination will not
normally be accepted.
Students who have a history of illness and requesting Special Examinations should seek
assistance from the ANU Counselling, Disabilities Services Unit or the Academic Skills and
Learning Centre.
If the special examination is approved, a fixed date and time will be specified for the Special
Examination to be held. These arrangements are not normally negotiable, particularly to fit in
with a student's travel bookings or work commitments. Students may find that the timing of
special examinations is inconvenient. Nevertheless, they have an obligation to attend. If a
student does not attend a special examination, it is only in exceptional circumstances that a
further exam will be set.
The College will provide formal written or email notification of whether a request for a
special exam has been approved, but the obligation nevertheless rests upon the student to
confirm this. The College will not accept, as an explanation for a student's failure to sit a
special examination, that the student did not receive the University's letter or email advising
whether the request had been approved. It is the responsibility of all students to maintain up
to date contact details on ISIS and to regularly check their ANU email account.
IV.
Assessment rules
The Assessment Rules govern examinations and assessment. Rule 11 (1), (2) and (3)
specifically relates to Special Examinations. The Rule states:
(1) The Delegated Authority may permit a student who was eligible to take an examination in
a course but was unable to attend the examination to take such special examination as the
Delegated Authority determines.
(2) A student seeking permission to take a special examination must lodge an application
with the Registrar not later than 3 working days after the time fixed for the completion of the
examination that the student failed to attend, or within such further time as the Delegated
Authority allows.
(3) An application under subrule (2) is to be accompanied by a statement in writing setting
out the circumstances that prevented the student from attending the examination and by such
evidence as is available to the student in support of that statement.
Students are reminded that if possible they should attend the examination and follow the
procedures laid out in Rule 12 (1), 12 (2), 12 (3), 12 (4), 12 (5) and 12 (6) in respect of
notification and special consideration.