How do I apply for special consideration if I was unable to attend an examination or my performance in an 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 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, or
- you may have passed or failed despite applying for special consideration
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 participation in that unit.
The ‘Special Consideration Application’ must be accompanied by original documentation including a ‘Professional Authority Form’ (or a medical certificate that answers the questions on 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. If you have not previously dealt with the counsellors and doctors at the University Counselling and Health Service in a professional capacity then they will generally not be able to fill in a Professional Authority Form for you.
If you sat the final exam and are granted a supplementary exam, your original attempt will be disregarded. Your performance in the supplementary exam will replace your performance in the original exam. Do not make holiday or travel plans that would affect your availability for the supplementary exam. If you do not attend a supplementary exam that has been granted then you will receive a Fail Absent (FA) grade for that unit.
If your reasons for requesting special consideration are deemed to be those that are routinely encountered or foreseeable (eg colds, headaches, work commitments etc) your chances of being granted special consideration are low. Each semester, a significant proportion of applications are NOT APPROVED – frivolous or weak applications waste your time and the time of your teachers.
Common reasons why special consideration applications are not approved:
- unsatisfactory coursework
- unsatisfactory participation
- Professional Authority Form not provided
- Professional Authority Form does not cover exam date
- disruption to studies is not substantial
- circumstances causing disruption are not out of the ordinary
- application submitted after deadline without good reason
Notification of outcome of special consideration application
You will be advised via a notice posted under the Announcements section of the EFS website of the outcome of your application for special consideration on the Friday 4 July. You may also be sent an email to your official Macquarie email account advising you of the outcome of your application.
Notification of supplementary exam results
Results will be available via eStudent
