Polices and information regarding University examinations
Examinations Policy
The Examinations Policy outlines the University's rules regarding the holding of exams, the appointment of examiners and boards of examiners and their powers, the rules of admission to examinations by students and exam conduct.
Many of the topics outlined in this section refer also to the Examinations Policy (see section 2).
Further information
Extra exam time for students from non-English-speaking backgrounds (All undergraduate students)
The Non-English-speaking Background (NESB) Policy grants faculties the authority to, at their discretion, allow special examination conditions to be available to undergraduate students from non-English speaking backgrounds (NESB) and non-standard English speaking backgrounds who are experiencing language difficulties in their first two semesters of tertiary study in the English language.
For the purposes of this policy NESB students are defined as those who:
- were born where English is not the first language
- have not been resident in Australia for longer than ten years
- speak a language other than English at home
- were educated in full English medium for no more than five years.
Further information
Faculty of Art and Design
The Faculty of Art and Design provides the opportunity for special test conditions to be available to undergraduate students from non-English speaking backgrounds and non-standard English speaking backgrounds, who are experiencing language difficulties in their first two semesters of tertiary study in the English language. For further information, students are advised to contact the Student and Administrative Services Unit of the faculty.
Faculty of Business and Economics
The faculty does not grant extra examination time for students of non-English-speaking backgrounds. If students believe they have difficulties with English, they are strongly urged to seek assistance from the various University support services, including Language and Learning Support (CALT) on their home campus.
Faculty of Engineering
The Faculty of Engineering allows special examination conditions in formal University examinations for undergraduate students from non-English-speaking backgrounds (NESB) and non-standard English-speaking backgrounds who are experiencing language difficulties in their first two semesters of tertiary study in the English language. Eligible students must complete an application form and return it to the faculty's Language and Learning Support (CALT) on their home campus no later than the end of week 11 of the relevant semester. Where the application is approved, the provision of a dictionary (English only) and 30 minutes of additional time is available in formal examinations.
Faculty of Law
International exchange students from non-English-speaking backgrounds are advised that they are entitled under Faculty of Law examination policies to an extra 30 minutes time to complete their examination(s), in addition to the normal examination time.
Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science allows special examination conditions in formal University examinations for undergraduate students from non-English-speaking backgrounds (NESB) and non-standard English-speaking backgrounds who are experiencing language difficulties in their first two semesters of tertiary study in the English language. Eligible students must complete an application form and return it to the faculty's Language and Learning Support (CALT) on their home campus no later than the end of week 11 of the relevant semester. Where the application is approved, the provision of a dictionary (English only) and 30 minutes of additional time is available in formal examinations. Refer to the application form or the faculty website for further details regarding eligibility.
Special consideration and supplementary/deferred exams
NOTE: At the time of publication, the policy on special consideration and deferred examinations and supplementary examinations was under review, therefore the information outlined below may change.
Please refer to the following websites for more information and updates:
Faculty of Business and Economics
Semester tests and assignments
Information about how to apply for special consideration for semester tests and assignments is available online at the faculty student website. Applications must be lodged with the relevant lecturer/tutor in the teaching department. The faculty's policy on supplementary and deferred examinations is also available on this website.
Deferred/Supplementary examinations
Students who are granted a supplementary or a deferred examination must ensure that they are available to sit the examination during the official supplementary/deferred examinations period. Students will not be permitted to defer a supplementary or deferred examination.
Faculty of Medicine Nursing and Health Sciences
Semester assessment and assignments
Information about how to apply for special consideration for semester assessment is available online at the faculty student website. Applications must be lodged with the relevant lecturer/tutor in the teaching school/department. The faculty's policy on supplementary and deferred examinations is also available on this website.
Deferred/Supplementary examinations
Students who are granted a supplementary or a deferred examination must ensure that they are available to sit the examination during the official supplementary/deferred examinations period or earlier as advised by the School/Department and at the discretion of the Dean or Head of School/Department. You will not be permitted to defer a supplementary or deferred examination except under exceptional circumstances approved by the course convener.
Students should note that the faculty Board of Examiners has complete discretion as to whether a supplementary examination will be awarded and whether it will take the form of a formal examination or further assessment tasks. The maximum mark returned for supplementary examinations will be 50 P.
Faculty of Science
Supplementary assessment (including examination) is permitted for undergraduate students enrolled in either:
- a science course or the science component of a double-degree course when the unit has been undertaken within the final 12 months of their enrolment prior to the completion of that course, or
- a non-science course or the non-science component of a double-degree course for which supplementary assessment of the unit has been approved by the relevant faculty
provided the unit is either a science unit for which a mark of between 45 and 49 has been achieved or a non-science unit for which supplementary assessment has been approved by the faculty that owns the unit under its normal supplementary assessment policy.
Note that this only applies to the final unit for a course as a whole, not the completion of a sequence or the science component of a double-degree course.
The final maximum grade awarded to a student successfully completing a supplementary assessment is 50 P. Students who are awarded a supplementary assessment in their second last semester can only have the mark changed to 50 P once the final semester of study for the course has been completed, at which point it can be confirmed that it has been taken in the last 12 months of the course.
The type and method of supplementary assessment will be determined by the relevant head of school/department (or their nominee) in each individual case and advised to the student. Supplementary assessment will also be possible under other circumstances with the approval of both the associate dean (teaching) and the relevant head of school (or their nominee). Approval to grant supplementary assessment for a non-science unit is at the discretion of the teaching faculty.
Students seeking supplementary assessment must submit an application form to the Faculty of Science office. Eligibility will be verified before the application is forwarded to the relevant school/department. The relevant school/department will determine the type and method of assessment and advise the student. Application forms for supplementary examination can be obtained from the faculty office or faculty website.
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