Undergraduate Examinations

Special Examinations
Special Consideration
Special Examination Arrangements
Special Examination Arrangements for NESB students

Students are expected to be available for examination and further examination during the designated examination period.

Unless physically unable to do so a student must attend and attempt all scheduled examinations. In the case of illness prior to or on the day of the examination, the student should attend the examination and then request Special Consideration (with supporting documents).

The Faculty of Arts has been concerned that the requests in respect of formal examinations are not being followed leading to confusion, inequity and unnecessary additional work for staff.

The Faculty must abide by the Examinations (The Faculties) Rules published in the ANU Undergraduate Rules. All students should familiarise themselves with these rules.

Special Examinations

1. The Faculty considers special examinations permitted under Rule 9(1) are primarily to cover serious medical conditions and unavoidable circumstances which prevent a student attending the examination. Unavoidable circumstances are those which:

(a) could not have reasonably been anticipated, avoided or guarded against by the student, and
(b) were beyond the student's control

Circumstances, routinely encountered by students, which will not normally be acceptable as grounds for special examinations are:
(a) routine demands of employment
(b) routine family problems such as domestic tension with or between parents, spouses, and other people closely involved with the student;
(c) difficulties adjusting to university life, and the demands of academic work;
(d) stress or anxiety associated with examinations or any aspect of academic work;
(e) routine need for financial support;
(f) demands of sports, clubs, and social or extra-curricular activities;
(g) family or personal travel arrangements;
(h) examinations scheduled consecutively or close to one another

However the following circumstances are acceptable on provision of supporting documents:
(a) a member of the armed forces involved in compulsory exercises;
(b) a person in full-time employment required to be overseas by his or her employer;
(c) a person representing ACT or Australia at a national or international sporting or cultural event;
(d) a person on jury duty;
(e) religious obligations which are not covered by special examination arrangements;
(f) relevent educational purpose (eg. commencement of northern hemisphere course).

Appropriate documentation must be submitted with the request. Requests falling within this category must be submitted prior to the examination date.

2. Special examinations for medical reasons are designed to cover serious medical conditions and emergencies, eg. serious illness or injury requiring hospital admission and a special examination must be requested within 72 hours of the scheduled examination as set out in Rule 5(1) and 5(2).

3. Students are reminded that if possible they should attend the examination and follow the procedures laid out in Rule 6(1), 6(2), 6(3), 6(4), 6(5) and 6(6) in respect of notification and special consideration.

4. Students must provide appropriate evidence of any medical condition being cited as the 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.

5. Students should not assume that non-attendance at the examination and an application will lead to a special examination being given. The Faculty will judge the severity based on the medical report. Students are encouraged to attend the examination as scheduled and apply for Special Consideration.

6. A special examination cannot be held until the Faculty approves the student's request.

7. Misreading, misunderstanding or failure to read an examination timetable will not be considered as grounds for justifying the granting of a special examination, unless the Dean is satisfied that the timetable is in some way at fault.

8. Lecturers may not offer or approve a special examination without Faculty Office consent.

Special Consideration

Rule 6 provides for a student to request special consideration where a student considers their academic performance may have been affected by circumstances during preparation for the examination or during the period of taking the examination.

For circumstances during preparation the student must submit the request with appropriate evidence before the examination is held to the lecturer/course coordinator. If during the examination a candidate is ill or where there is a disruption or any other condition that affects the examination process this should be reported to the invigilator. The invigilator will then provide a report that will be sent to the examining School.

Special Examination Arrangements

Students may request a range of special examination arrangements for disability and/or injury. Such arrangements include being able to sit the examination in another location and arrangements in respect of language difficulties.

Requests for Special Examination Arrangements must be made to the Examinations Office no less than 2 weeks before the scheduled date of the exam. This will allow time for a decision to be made by the Faculty plus the Examinations Office will arrange invigilators and rooms and officially notify students.

Special Examination Arrangements for NESB students

The Faculty of Arts will approve an extension of time as a special arrangement where:

1. the student comes from a non-English language background and;
2. the student is in their first 2 semesters of study in Australia, and;
3. the student during the last 12 months attended or is attending a program designed to improve their English language skills.

Appropriate evidence must be provided. On application up to 1/3 extra time may be permitted. To apply, students must request the form from the Arts Faculty Office.

Religious obligations fall within the category of special arrangements. Students should discuss this with the Examination section.

Feedback and queries: Vanessa Gotting, Director, Student Office