Adjustments to assessment – special consideration

RMIT has two processes in place to help students who may need assistance or special consideration in their academic assessment, Special Consideration and Equitable Assessment Arrangements.

Special consideration

Special Consideration is a process that enables the University to take account of unexpected circumstances such as illness, injury or bereavement that affect a student's performance in assessment. The University introduced a number of important changes to its Special Consideration policy in Semester 1, 2007. These changes are designed to simplify the application process for students and ensure a more consistent outcome. Students will note that grading consideration and supplementary assessment are no longer included as forms of adjustment under this policy.

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Special Consideration application flow chart CS web

Special Consideration application flow chart

How to apply

You must apply no later than two working days after the examination or assessment deadline that has been affected. You must complete the Special Consideration Application Form (PDF 55kb 3p) and lodge the original and one photocopy at the Hub, or relevant Student Service centre if offshore. If you have not provided supporting documentation (such as Section B Impact Assessment Statement filled out by a professional practitioner) with your original application, you have a further five working days from the date you submitted your original application to lodge it. The supporting documentation can also be lodged at the Hub. Please note that all applications require supporting documentation and medical certificates on their own are not sufficient. If you are unsure what form of supporting documentation would be sufficient, you can email special.consideration@rmit.edu.au for advice.

In cases where you are able to scan the original application and documents you may also lodge your application via email to special.consideration@rmit.edu.au or fax to 9925 8757. If emailing or faxing your application, you must still lodge the original documents at the Hub within five working days of sending the email.

All communication regarding Special Consideration will be sent to your student email account. Please ensure you check your account on a daily basis.

If your application and/or supporting documentation are not submitted within the necessary timeframe, the application may be cancelled unless there are exceptional extenuating circumstances which are clearly explained and documented.

Extensions of seven calendar days or less:

Students seeking an extension of seven calendar days or less (from the original due date) must complete an application for extension of time for submission of assessable work form and lodge it with the School. The lodgement arrangements can vary according to individual School procedures. It is the responsibility of the applicant to check whether the form should be lodged with the School Administrative Officer or the Course Coordinator (Higher Education) or Program Coordinator (TAFE). Except in exceptional circumstances the application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official due date.

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Assessment process

All applications are considered by a central panel with health and academic expertise, convened by the Academic Registrar. All communication about your lodged application (including notification of the outcome) will be via your RMIT student email account.

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Outcomes

Some of the possible outcomes of an application for Special Consideration include:

  • Deferred or Re-sit Assessment
    A Deferred Assessment is a rescheduling of an assessment to a time when the student has recovered from the condition/s which prevented the undertaking or completion of an assessment. The University has introduced a time limit by which all Deferred/Re-sit Assessments must be carried out. Students should refer to the Deferred and Re-sit Assessment Policy for further information on this.
  • Alternative Assessment
    An Alternative Assessment may represent a variation to the method, or conditions under which an assessment is carried out to provide a reasonable adjustment for a student who is unable to participate in the normal or standard form of assessment. It may also take the form of the original assessment e.g. test, exam, assignment. Further information on Alternative Assessments can be gained from the Equitable Assessment Arrangements Policy.
  • Application Refused
    Where an application is refused, the reasons for refusal will be provided, along with advice on the process to be followed should a student wish to appeal the outcome to the University Appeals Committee.

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Appeals

Appeals against the outcome of a Special Consideration application are to be lodged with the University Appeals Committee.

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Your responsibilities

As all communication regarding your application will be via the email address recorded on the official RMIT student database, it is your responsibility to check your email account regularly (especially where you have lodged an application), respond to any requests for information or action promptly, and ensure the account remains able to receive incoming mail.

Students are expected to communicate any problems or difficulties they have in complying with the Special Consideration policy to the Academic Registrar via email to special.consideration@rmit.edu.au

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More Information

Contact details

Updates on the progress of your application can be obtained from special.consideration@rmit.edu.au

Related links

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