Deferring exams or applying for special consideration
Occasionally, unplanned events or situations can arise that are beyond your control. If these circumstances are likely to impact on your exams, you may be eligible to apply for one of the following:
A deferred exam – if you cannot attend your exam at the scheduled time due to exceptional circumstances.
Special consideration in exam marking – if unexpected circumstances prevented you from performing at your best.
Sitting your exam away from your home campus - when exceptional circumstances prevent you from sitting your exam at your home campus.
Exceptions may be granted to students who are Defence Force reservists or elite athletes.
Before applying
Before applying, check that you have grounds and evidence to be eligible. You must provide supporting documentation with your application.
You are not eligible to apply for a deferred exam or special consideration in exam marking if:
* Deferred exams are not available for your subject/exam – refer to your Subject Outline on LearnJCU.
* You misread the exam timetable, or had travel plans.
* You have repeatedly applied to defer exams in each exam period.
* You have two or more exams scheduled consecutively within a 24-hour period.
* You are moving accommodation during the exam period.
* You have not attempted to change a minor/elective medical or other appointment that falls on the same day as your exam.
Deferred exams
Complete and submit a Deferring a Formal Examination application form with the required supporting documentation before or no later than three university working days after the date of the exam.
If you are feeling sick on the day of the exam, do not sit the exam. See a medical practitioner as soon as possible, obtain a medical certificate and apply for a deferred exam. If you attend the exam and cannot finish due to illness, you will not be able to apply for a deferred exam.
Potential outcomes
If your application is successful, your subject result will appear as ‘ED’ (exam deferred) in eStudent once results are officially released. If you are not granted a deferred exam, your subject result will appear as ‘X’ (Fail).
For more information on deferred exams, see Deferred and supplementary exams for SP1 & SP2.
Special consideration in exam marking
Complete and submit the Special consideration – examinations application form with the required supporting documentation.
Applications must be submitted before or on the day of the exam. If the exam is held late in the day or on a weekend, it can be submitted before the end of the next working day.
You will not be formally advised of the outcome, however if the examiner agrees that you have made a case for special consideration, the examiner will take your circumstances into account when marking your exam.
This may result in being granted a supplementary exam. In this case your subject results will appear as ‘NS’ (Supplementary Exam Granted) once subject results are officially released.
Sitting a supplementary exam will limit the potential subject grade you can receive for a subject. For more information, see Deferred and supplementary exams for SP1 & SP2.
Applying to sit your exam away from your home campus
You are expected to sit formal exams for Study Period 1 and 2, or any supplementary or deferred exams for Study Period 1, on your home campus.
Permission to sit exams at another campus or exam centre is given in exceptional circumstances only and you must provide documentary evidence to substantiate your reasons.
Speak to your lecturer as early as possible. You must also contact JCU's Examinations Office on (07) 4781 6309 or email exams-townsville@jcu.edu.au.
Need more help?
If you think you may qualify but need more information, please contact the Student Centre. You can also contact a Student Advocacy and Welfare Officer at the JCU Student Association.