Deferred assessment

What is a deferred assessment and can I apply?

You can apply for deferred assessment if you were prevented from attempting an exam, test, quiz or performance scheduled for a particular date on the grounds of:

• illness
• accident
• disability
• bereavement
• technical difficulties
• unavoidable work commitments
• sporting or cultural commitment at a state, national or international level
• other compassionate circumstances (e.g. serious illness of a family member or close relative).

Please refer to the Assessment Procedures for Students for a more comprehensive list of compassionate circumstances.

When can’t I apply for deferred assessment?

An application for deferred assessment will generally not be approved on the following grounds:

• misreading an exam timetable
• holiday arrangements, including international travel
• sporting or cultural commitment, other than at a state, national or international level
• unavoidable work commitments*
• if the application is submitted more than three calendar days after the assessment due date
• where it is a re-attempted assessment item.

* Please note: Employment-related reasons will not usually be accepted as grounds for deferment, unless you are experiencing financial hardship, have been refused leave, or have been directed to undertake unusual or extraordinary duties beyond your control.

Students who did not complete a ProctorU Practice Test and experience technical difficulties during their ProctorU final exam may not be eligible for a deferred exam. Applications may also be declined if there is reason to believe you are seeking an unfair advantage through deferred assessment.

What is the difference between deferred assessment and special consideration?

Essentially if you are unable to attempt an exam, test, quiz or performance for the reasons listed, you may apply for deferred assessment. If; however, you have attempted an assessment item and your performance was seriously affected or you were seriously disadvantaged when the assessment item was attempted, you may apply for special consideration. Please refer to the Assessment Procedures for Students for more information.

What is the difference between deferred assessment and assignment extension?

Deferred assessment is awarded when you are unable to attempt an exam, test, quiz or performance on the date it is scheduled. An assignment extension provides additional time for you to complete an assessment item (e.g. case studies, essays, reports, presentation) if you are unable to submit the assessment item by the due date and time. Please refer to the Assessment Procedures for Students for more information.

How do I apply for deferred assessment?

Submit a deferred assessment form online. You will need to attach appropriate documentary evidence to support your application e.g. medical certificate (issued in-person or online), bereavement notice, copy of accident report, etc. Please refer to the Assessment Procedures for Students for acceptable forms of documentary evidence.

How long do I have to submit my application?

Applications for deferred assessment must be submitted online no later than three calendar days after the assessment (e.g. exam) date.

What happens after I submit my application?

Applications are considered by the relevant decision maker. In the case of central end of trimester exams, this is the Senior Manager, Exams and Timetabling (or nominee). Applications for all other exams, including school-based exams, are considered by the Course Convenor. The application will then either be approved or declined and you will be notified by email of the decision.

What if my application for deferred assessment is declined?

If you feel that your case for deferred assessment has been wrongly dismissed by the decision maker, contact the decision maker first to make sure you understand the decision. If you are still unhappy with the decision, you can:

Deferred central end of trimester exams
Request a Review of decision within 10 working days of notification of the decision to the Dean (Learning and Teaching) using a Review of a Decision Form. The decision of the Dean (Learning and Teaching) is final.

All other deferred assessment
Request a Review of decision within 10 working days of notification of the decision to the Chair, School Assessment Board using a Review of a Decision Form. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of the Review, you may lodge an Appeal to the Dean (Learning and Teaching) within 10 working days of notification of the outcome of the Review. The decision of the Dean (Learning and Teaching) is final. Please refer to the Student Review and Appeals Policy and Student Review and Appeals Procedure for more information.

What if I miss my deferred exam date?

You cannot defer a deferred exam. The University’s position is that you have already been given a significant concession by being awarded a deferred exam.

What happens if I fall ill just prior to the deferred/supplementary exam period?

You may request for your deferred exam to be reschedule to an alternate date if you are experiencing a serious illness, bereavement or other exceptional circumstances just prior to the deferred/supplementary exam period that renders you incapable of sitting the scheduled exam.

This request must be submitted to Exams and Timetabling prior to the scheduled exam date and include relevant supporting documentation detailing the impact on your capacity to sit the exam. Alternatively, if your exceptional circumstances prevent you from doing so, you may apply to withdraw after the census date due to special circumstances.

What happens if I can't sit my deferred exam due to religious reasons?

If you are unable to sit your scheduled deferred exam due to religious observance obligations, you must notify Exams and Timetabling within two working days of the publication of the deferred/supplementary exam timetable and provide a letter of support from your local religious leader.

Can I request to sit my deferred exam earlier than the deferred/supplementary exam period?

In exceptional circumstances that are beyond your control, you may request permission to undertake a deferred exam earlier than the deferred/supplementary exam period, and if approved you will have your exam administered by the Course Convenor. Students applying to defer their final exam must include this request in their deferred assessment application.

What if I can’t complete an assignment/report/case study etc by the due date?

If you are unable to complete an assignment by the due date on medical or other grounds (e.g. family or personal circumstances, employment-related circumstances, unavoidable commitments), you may apply for an extension. Requests for extensions of time to submit an assignment must be made online via the assignment extension form before the assignment due date. Where the request is on medical grounds, you will need to attach a medical certificate. Please refer to the Assessment Procedures for Students for other acceptable forms of documentary evidence. Note: You are not able to seek a review of decision if you are unhappy with the outcome of your assignment extension request.