Special consideration and special arrangements for assessment
What they are
Students who suffer illness or misadventure that may affect their academic performance may request that they be given special consideration in relation to the determination of their results.
Students who are experiencing difficulty in meeting assessment tasks due to competing essential community commitments may request that special arrangements be made in respect of any or all factors contributing to their assessment.
The Faculty of Science policies on these issues apply to all Mathematics and Statistics units of study. All information relating to these policies, including the Application Packs and instructions on how to apply, can be obtained from
http://www.science.usyd.edu.au/cstudent/ug/forms.shtml.Before applying for special consideration or special arrangements, please read the Faculty Policy to determine whether or not you are eligible.
See below for extra information relating specifically to Mathematics and Statistics.
How to apply
Applications for special Consideration must be made within seven days of the date for which consideration is being sought.
Applications for special arrangements must be submitted at least seven days BEFORE the due date of the assessment or examination for which alternative arrangements are being sought.
The procedure is as follows.
- Obtain the application forms from the web or from the Student Information Office of the Faculty of Science.
- Take the original paperwork, plus one copy for each piece of assessment for which consideration is being sought, to the Student Information Office of the Faculty of Science. Note that applications are to be lodged with the Science Faculty, regardless of the faculty in which you are enrolled (with the exception of Pharmacy). Your copies will be stamped at the Student Information Office.
- Take the stamped documentation to the Mathematics Student Office, Carslaw room 520 (opposite the lifts on Carslaw Level 5). Your personal information must be completed on all the forms, including the Academic Judgement form, before the form will be accepted.
Note that an application for special consideration or special arrangements is a request only, and not a guarantee that special consideration will be granted or special arrangements made.
Special consideration relating to assignments, projects, etc.
If serious illness or misadventure during the week before the due date prevents you from submitting an assignment on the due date then you may request an extension. Unless there are exceptional circumstances any application for an extension must be made before the submission date. An application for an extension is made by submitting a special consideration form.
Late assignments will only be accepted if you have an approved extension, or if you are ill on the due date only, and consequently unable to submit your assignment. In this latter case you must ensure that your assignment is submitted on the next day, accompanied by a special consideration form and supporting documentation.
Special consideration relating to quizzes.
For a junior unit of study, if you miss a quiz through illness or misadventure, then you must go to the Mathematics Student Services Office (Carslaw Room 520) as soon as possible afterwards, as it may be possible for you to sit the quiz in another class. If that turns out to not be possible then you should apply for special consideration. If the application is successful then you will be awarded a pro-rata mark for that quiz, based on your final examination mark in the unit of study.
In intermediate or senior units of study it will usually not be possible for you to sit for the quiz in another class. You should apply for special consideration, and if your application is successful then you will be awarded a pro-rata mark for the missed quiz based on other assessment tasks for that unit of study. Alternatively, at the lecturer's discretion, a make-up quiz may be arranged.
Special consideration relating to end-of-semester examinations.
If you miss an exam due to illness or misadventure on the day of the exam then you should apply for special consideration. If your application is successful then you will be granted the opportunity to sit a supplementary examination. Note that students who have participated only minimally in the unit throughout the semester will not be granted supplementary exams: special consideration applications from such students will be declined.
Please note that illness or misadventure during the week preceding the exam, not on the exam day itself, is not an acceptable reason for missing an exam. You should do the exam and—if you believe that the illness or misadventure impaired your performance—apply for special consideration. If your application is successful then your mark may be adjusted, or you may be offered the opportunity to sit a supplementary exam.
Special consideration relating to attendance.
You should not apply for special consideration for a brief illness or minor misadventure that causes you to miss a single lecture or tutorial, unless
- a quiz or other assessment task was held in the lecture or tutorial you missed, or
- assessment in the unit of study in question involves a tutorial participation mark.
In the latter case you should check with your lecturer or tutor to find out whether it is necessary to submit a special consideration application.
Jury duty, military service, national sporting and religious or cultural commitments.
For matters such as these the Faculty's Special Arrangements Policy applies.