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Deferred Examinations
Important Information About Deferred Central Examinations
When the Deferred Examinations are Held
How to Apply for Deferred Examination/s
Notification
Criteria for Deferred Examination Applications
What to do if You Miss Your Deferred or School-based Examination/s
Important Information About Deferred Central Examinations
Please be aware that if you sit a deferred examination it may take up to four weeks after the exam for results to be processed. As a consequence applications for admission to other universities, or to transfer to another ACU course may be disadvantaged.
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When the Deferred Examinations are Held
Deferred examinations are conducted approximately three weeks after the end of the central examination period. Refer to Important Dates - Examinations. All deferred central examinations are scheduled within a one week (five day) period.
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How to Apply for Deferred Examination/s
To apply for deferred examination/s, you must submit a Deferred Examination Application (DE) online form and the required documentary evidence no later than five working days after the scheduled examination/s.
If your deferred examination application is based on medical grounds you must either:
- have the Supporting Documentation for Deferred Examination Application completed by your practitioner or
- attach a Medical Certificate completed by your practitioner The original supporting documentation must relate specifically to the day your examination was scheduled.
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If you have submitted your application by the due date, you will be notified of the outcome no later than one week prior to the commencement of the Deferred Examination period. You will be provided notification via your ACU email account. If you have not received notification by the commencement of the Deferred Examination period, please contact the Timetabling, Examinations & Results (TE&R) Section immediately.
Students may view their approved deferred examinations on their Personal Examination Timetable.
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Criteria for Deferred Examination Applications
Examples of acceptable grounds for application for a deferred examination and of appropriate documentary evidence include the following:
| Circumstance | Required documentary evidence |
| Illness of the student. | A medical certificate1, certifying that the student received medical attention at or before the scheduled time of the examination and that the illness would prevent/prevented the student from undertaking the examination. |
| Illness of an immediate member of the student's family for whom the student was the principal carer. | A medical certificate1, certifying that the immediate member of the family for whom the student was the principal carer was ill and required the presence of the student at the scheduled time of the examination. |
| Death or funeral of a member of the student's family or a person with significant relationship to the student. | Official documentary evidence of the death or funeral, or a copy of the relevant published death or funeral notice. Evidence of the student's relationship with the deceased. A letter from a Doctor or the Funeral Director stating student's relationship to deceased is acceptable. |
| Car accident or breakdown on the way to the examination. | The police report, NRMA/RACV/RACQ report or tow truck driver report or statutory declaration. |
| An unforeseeable and major disruption to the public transport system causing extraordinary delays (eg in excess of 1 hour). | A statement from the service provider (eg transport authority) or media statement confirming such disruption or statutory declaration. |
| Armed service postings or unscheduled demands on emergency services personnel. | Official documentation. |
|
Religious observance/obligation. |
A letter from the students' place of worship stating the student is unable to attend examination/s due to religious observance or obligation. |
| Sporting commitments at the state or national representative level; commitments arising from participation in the University's Elite Athlete Program. | Documentary evidence confirming representative selection or a supporting statement from a University Elite Athletes Program Coordinator. |
Students registered with the Elite Athletes Program (EAP) who have sporting commitments during the examination period must provide a Registration letter, invitation or supporting letter from the sporting association/body to prove the student will be unavailable during the exam period.
Examples of circumstances which DO NOT constitute acceptable grounds for the granting of a deferred examination/s include:
- holiday arrangements, travel or accommodation bookings;
- return to home country, in the case of international students;
- work commitments, shift requirements or a call to work at short notice;
- sporting commitments, other than at state or national representative level;
- attendance at functions such as birthday or wedding celebrations;
- misreading the examination timetable;
- sleeping in;
- failure to arrange transport to ensure timely arrival at the examination venue.
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What to do if You Miss Your Deferred or School-based Examination/s
If you were unable to attend, or attempted but did not complete a scheduled deferred or school-based examination/s due to exceptional circumstances, you must complete an Application for Special Consideration (SC) form. See the SC form for details. The SC form must be lodged with the School Office not more than five working days after the scheduled examination date.
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1A completed ORIGINAL ACU student medical certificate must be provided. The service provider would normally be a medical practitioner; however, a certificate from a psychologist or counsellor, including an ACU Student Counsellor, is also acceptable.
