Deferred Assessment

This Faculty of Engineering and Surveying Policy Statement is to be read in conjunction with Section 3.8 of the Assessment Policy

If a student cannot attend a scheduled examination for reasons which are beyond their control due to medical, family/personal or employment related reasons, the student must submit an application form to apply to defer their exam to the Administration Officer (Assessment), Faculty of Engineering and Surveying within 10 calendar days after the date of the exam.

The application must:

• clearly state the student's name, number and current address
• contain a request for one or more deferred assessments in a specific course (course number and name must be included)
• contain acceptable supporting documentation. The University's Student Medical Certificate should be used and must cover the day(s) of the missed examination(s). A medical certificate stating a student has a 'medical condition', or unsupported student statements relating to family/personal or employment-related reasons will not be sufficient grounds for a deferred examination to be granted.

Only original or suitably endorsed documentation will be accepted and must be received within 10 calendar days after the date of the exam.

The examiner of the course will make a decision on the application at the end of the relevant teaching period.

A deferred examination will normally not be offered to a student if:

• the student cannot pass the course irrespective of the outcome of the assessment
• the basis of the claim is that the student did not have knowledge of the time and place of the examination.

Students who fall ill on or before the day of an examination are advised not to sit the examination. If the student chooses to sit the exam it will be marked accordingly. In such cases students cannot request a deferred examination or other special consideration after receiving a final grade in the course.

Students who fall ill during an exam due to an obvious illness, eg epileptic fit, and cannot proceed with the exam, may apply for a deferred exam. The student should request the examination supervisor to make the appropriate notation on their examination paper. The examination paper will not be marked in this case. 

Successful applicants for a deferred assessment will be notified with the release of the end of semester results and awarded either of the following grades, IDS (Incomplete Deferred Supplementary), IDB (Incomplete Deferred Supplementary + make-up work).

Unsuccessful applicants for a deferred assessment will be notified in writing of the reasons for the decision.

Students who have been awarded a deferred examination should consult with the examiner of the course regarding the format, type and length of time for the examination and check the course specification for details of assessment and course offerings.

Students offered a deferred examination would normally be required to sit for the examination during the examination period of the term when the course is next offered. Students will be advised if this is not the case.

Students who would otherwise be eligible to graduate may be able to sit the deferred examination in the next official examination period where it can be scheduled. They should make this request in their application for a deferred examination. A special deferred/supplementary exam will only be offered to students if it is their very last course to graduate.

Under no circumstances will a further deferment of a deferred examination, or an extension to a deadline for further work be allowed.

Students who are unable to sit a deferred exam due to extenuating circumstances, which are beyond their control, may be able to drop the course without penalty.   Students should refer to Academic Regulation 5.5.8 – Waive Academic Penalty and Fee Reversal Policy, or contact Student Support via email waivepenalty@usq.edu.au