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Important Processes :: :: Special Consideration
How do I apply for special consideration if I was unable to attend an examination or if my performance in an examination (or in a unit where there is no examination) was adversely affected by illness or other factors outside my control?
If you have been unable to attend an examination or your performance in an assessment task or an examination has been unavoidably disrupted by illness or other factors outside your control, you may apply for special consideration.
'Unavoidable disruption' is defined as circumstances out of the ordinary which are beyond your control and result in substantial disruption. It does NOT include circumstances commonly encountered by students such as exam stress; difficulty adjusting to university; family or work commitments; financial problems; or extra curricular demands.
If special consideration is granted, there are two possible outcomes:
- you may be awarded a supplementary exam (in the case of non-attendance at the scheduled exam) or
- if you have received a borderline grade it may be scaled upwards if you have a clear pattern of higher achievement in the unit overall. This will be at the discretion of the unit convener.
Note
Special Consideration applies only to the formal exam period. If you experience adverse circumstances during semester you need to complete the Advice of Absence form (PDF, 638k).
Things to consider before applying
You will only be granted special consideration in a unit if you have satisfactory coursework results and a satisfactory attendance record in that unit.
The ' Special Consideration Application ' must be accompanied by the ' Professional Authority Form ' in cases of illness, and by relevant documentation in other circumstances.
The Professional Authority Form needs to be completed by a doctor, psychologist, policeman or other professional able to comment on the degree of disruption caused to you. The counsellors and doctors at the University Counselling and Health Service will generally be unable to fill in a Professional Authority Form for you if they have not previously dealt with you in a professional capacity.
How to apply
You must justify your request with relevant documents,
and for illness a Professional Authority Form is required.
2 copies of requests must be lodged:
Original: Lodge at Academic Program Section.
Copy: Lodge in Linguistics & Psychology Division box provided at Academic Program Section