Special consideration

Special Consideration takes into account short-term and/or unforeseen circumstances (known as Special Circumstances) that substantially affects a student's ability to complete an assessment item.

It is not intended for the management of long-term illnesses, disabilities, or other ongoing circumstances.

It is important to read and understand the application types below, including the difference between assessment items that take place On Course and the End of Period (formal) examination. Incorrect form submissions will result in delays and resubmission may be required.

Application Types

There is one application form that covers the below application types:

On Course Assessments

On Course refers to assessments or exams that take place whilst teaching is occurring. For Study Periods 1 and 2, this would be the 13 teaching weeks and for Trimesters, it would be the 10 teaching weeks.

On Course application types:

1. Request an extension to the due date of the assessment
   Example: An assignment is due on the 20th of the month and you need to request an extension until the 25th.
   Submission Date: Before the due date of the assessment.
2. Request to reschedule the start date/time of an assessment including On Course exams and practical and oral assessments
   Example: There is an exam or practical to be held in class or online in week 6. You cannot attend due to special circumstances and therefore need to apply to reschedule the exam or practical to another day and/or time.
   Submission Date: No later than three University working days after the scheduled date of the activity.
3. Notification of missing a compulsory laboratory/practical/class/placement or mandatory attendance requirement
   Example: It is a subject requirement that you must attend a laboratory or tutorial each week however, you cannot make one of the classes due to special circumstances. There is a requirement to notify the subject coordinator of your non-attendance.
   Submission Date: No later than three University working days after the scheduled date of the activity.
4. Notification of special circumstances that occurred at any time during the study period impacting the preparation of an assessment or examination item but you were still able to submit the assessment or sit the exam
   Example: An assessment was due on the 20th of the month however you fell ill one week before due the date but were able to still submit the assessment. You did feel though that your academic performance was impacted due to the special circumstance that occurred.
   Submission Date: No later than three University working days after the due date of the assessment/examination impacted.

End of Study Period (Formal) Examination
The End of Study Period Examinations are generally scheduled period at the end of a teaching period. Students will receive an email prior to this time with their formal exam timetable.

Application types during the End of Study Period (formal) Examinations:

1. Deferring an end of study period exam
   Example: The formal exam has been timetabled for the Friday of the formal exam week. You cannot attend due to special circumstances which occur the day before the exam. You will need to request a deferral of the exam until the supplementary/deferred exam period.
   Submission Date: Before the scheduled date of the Examination.
2. Deferring an end of study period exam Example: The formal exam has been timetabled for the Friday of the formal exam week. You cannot attend on the day due to special circumstances. You will need to request a deferral of the exam until the supplementary/deferred exam period.
   Submission Date: No later than three University working days after the scheduled date of the Examination.
3. Notification of special circumstances impacting the preparation of an exam that you were still able to sit the exam
   Example: The formal exam has been timetabled for the Friday of the formal exam week. You become ill on Thursday, however, you recover enough to attend the exam on Friday although you felt that your academic performance was impacted due to the special circumstances that occurred.
   Submission Date: No later than three University working days after the scheduled date of the Examination.
4. Notification of special circumstances that occurred the day before or day of a Supplementary or Deferred exam which prevents you from attending that exam
   Example: The supplementary exam has been timetabled for a Friday and you become ill the morning of the exam and unable to attend.
   Submission Date: No later than three University working days after the scheduled date of the Supplementary or Deferred Examination.

When completing the Special Consideration Application Form you must provide independent supporting documentation.

Refer to the Special Circumstances Supporting Documentation webpage to ensure that you are supplying the correct documentation, as this will improve the turnaround time of your application.

Please remember that you will need to lodge an application form per subject and per assessment item. If you are experiencing special circumstances which impacts multiple assessments or subjects, you will need to lodge an application for each one.

If you are submitting a Special Consideration application because your circumstances are due to being COVID-19 positive or a close contact with symptoms and required to isolate, you can provide evidence as follows:

• an image of any communications (including text messages) received in regards to a positive PCR test and/or requirement to isolate; or
• in the case of a Rapid Antigen Test, if no other supporting information is available, an image of the Rapid Antigen Test Registration from QLD Health (or similar from other states and territories) with details and submission confirmation.

In all circumstances, follow the guidelines set out by the Queensland Government.

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Useful Links

• Academic Standards
• Formal Exams
• Supporting Documentation