Welcome to our exam resource page, where you will find the exam timetable, detailed examination instructions, essential online exam information for students, guidelines for rescheduling, special provisions and considerations, and a thorough overview of the examination procedures.
This content supports the Examination Procedure by providing an overview of key points as they relate to students. It should be read in conjunction with the Examination Procedure document.
The official exam period is outlined in the Academic Calendar. Whether enrolled on-campus or by distance mode, students are required to be available to undertake examinations throughout the official exam period relevant to their course.
The Examination Timetable is published on this page by the end of the fifth week of the semester. Students must be available at the date and time when their exam is scheduled, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Oncampus exams: at the campus on which you are enrolled.
Where students believe they have extenuating circumstances which may allow them to attend their examination on the other campus, they need to submit a written request to the Director, Student Administration Services, or delegate, no later than 15 working days prior to the commencement of the relevant examination period, with their reason for the request.
Distance exams (students who live within 100 kms of the oncampus examination venue): at the oncampus examination venue scheduled for your unit examination.
Distance exams (students who live more than 100 kms from the oncampus examination venue): either at the oncampus venue scheduled for your unit examination, or at an appropriate off campus venue. Students will need to liaise with the Exam Centre to identify a suitable person to supervise their examination off campus.
Online exams: you should identify a quiet environment where you can set up your computer to complete your exam without being interrupted. This may be at home, work or any other suitable location.
Where students can’t access a suitable location, Avondale has a limited number of exam spaces on campus that they can apply for. To apply, students must email the School Office staff at least 2 weeks ahead of their examination date/s. Email contact details for the School Office admin staff can be found in your Unit Information document.
If circumstances prevent students coming on campus, alternative provisions may be made be on a case-by-case basis.
Students may enter an examination venue or commence an online exam up to 30 minutes after the exam has commenced. Students who arrive late will not be given additional time beyond when the examination was due to end. Students who arrive after 30 minutes has elapsed will be denied entry by the examination supervisor. In extenuating circumstances, the student may apply for Special Consideration.
Students may leave any time after 30 minutes has elapsed, but only after their exam script has been collected by the supervisor, and in the case of online examinations, once the supervisor has confirmed receipt.
A student who leaves early is not permitted to re-enter.
Students must bring their Avondale student ID card to the examination as proof of identity.
Students must supply their own writing implements for an examination. Writing implements, if in a container, must be in a transparent case (e.g. transparent pencil case or a clear plastic bag).
If a drink bottle is present, it must be an unannotated clear drink bottle. Drink bottles which are not transparent are not permitted on the student’s desk or within reach.
No caps, hats or hoods are permitted to be worn during an examination.
No glasses cases are permitted on the student’s desk or within reach.
Mobile phones, smart watches and other unauthorised electronic devices are not permitted on the student’s desk or within reach.
Additional allowed material (e.g. calculator, non-marked Bible) is only permitted if specified on the examination cover page.
In the case of an open-book exam, the Unit Coordinator and/or lecturer will advise what material the student may bring into the exam, limited to printed materials such as texts, personal notes, other reference materials, a Bible, a dictionary, etc.
Clear your workspace of all papers, books, and clutter, with the exception of material permitted for your exam.
For an open book exam, make sure you have all your notes, required materials and other resources organised, easily accessible and ready to use.
Have some rough paper and a pen available for reviewing and planning your approach to the exam.
If completing your exam at home:
Your phone may be used for the exam onboarding process, however it cannot be on your desk during the exam, and will need to be placed out of reach (i.e. on the floor under your chair).
Also see Online Examinations: Instructions for Students below.
Restarting your computer before you commence the exam and ensuring all unnecessary applications are closed can prevent technical issues occurring.
If you are using a laptop, ensure it has sufficient battery reserve or is plugged in so your battery does not run out during the exam.
Ensure your internet connection is working correctly and that you have sufficient data available if relevant.
Ensure your computer will not run updates at the time of your exam. Attend to this in the days prior.
If you’re in a multi-user environment, ask others to limit internet use (e.g. Netflix) if they can while you’re doing your exam.
Also see Online Examinations: Instructions for Students below.
Once students have entered the exam venue or online exam, they must follow all directions provided by the supervisor/s.
Supervisors will ensure that students who have officially been granted special provisions are provided those arrangements during their examination. No variation to the specified conditions will be permitted.
Online examinations will be conducted using a teleconference platform and the Learning Management System (Moodle). During the examination students must have their camera on at all times, and their microphone muted. Any questions to the supervisor are to be asked using the direct chat mechanism.
Online examination papers will be made available via one of three methods:
Lecturers for each unit will inform students taking online exams about which option will be allowed for the exam.
Students are not to communicate with anyone other than the supervisor and must remain seated for the duration of the exam, with the exception of toilet breaks.
Students are to request permission from the supervisor before leaving their seat during an exam for any reason. Any visit to the bathroom should be less than five minutes, and no additional time will be added to the exam duration.
If a student becomes ill during an exam, they should let the supervisor know immediately. If they need to discontinue the exam, they may apply for Special Consideration within 24 hours.
Students are expected to complete all assessment tasks with academic integrity. Any perceived incidents of academic misconduct in any form will be handled in accordance with the Academic Integrity Policy. Students completing their exam online will be required to accept the Exam Integrity Confirmation Statement prior to receiving their exam paper.
Students must write their Student ID number clearly on all pages of the examination question paper and/or answer sheet and/or examination writing booklet.
In the case of oncampus and distance exams, once students have completed their examination, they must remain seated until their examination scripts have been collected by the supervisor.
In the case of online exams, students may keep a copy of the exam question paper and answers for 24 hours, and then destroy these as per the Exam Integrity Confirmation.
Students should advise the supervisor immediately. If the student is unable to contact the supervisor, the student should phone the Helpline number provided for exam support. Students may use their phone during the exam to contact the helpline.
If technical issues impact exam completion, it’s recommended that students record screen captures, error messages, or other evidence of the issues that occurred, and email this to the supervisor of the exam.
If technical issues prevent exam submission through Moodle, but students still have access to email, it’s recommended that the completed or partial submission is emailed to the supervisor.
Students who experience technical difficulties in accessing the examination may, at the supervisor’s discretion, be provided additional time equivalent to the time lost to technical difficulties. Students may apply for Special Consideration in extenuating circumstances.
Students who have to leave the examination prematurely due to an emergency (for example a fire alarm) should inform their supervisor as soon as practicable and apply for Special Consideration within 24 hours.
Also see Online Examinations: Instructions for Students below.
See Guidelines for Examination Reschedule, Special Provisions and Special Consideration below.
See Guidelines for Examination Reschedule, Special Provisions and Special Consideration below.
Students affected by long-term circumstances, such as a chronic or recurring medical condition, are encouraged to register with the Equity Office. The Equity and Disability Support Officer is available for consultation with students who have a disability, language difficulty or a medical condition who are seeking support.
Applications for Special Provisions through the Equity Office must be made prior to the deadline published in the Academic Calendar for the relevant semester, in line with the Disability Policy and must be supported by verifiable, appropriate documentation from a relevant professional.
Students who have been granted special provisions through the Equity Office will receive an official letter from the Director, Student Administration Services prior to the exam period detailing the specific conditions granted for them.
Students should advise the supervisor immediately, or as soon as practicable.
See Guidelines for Examination Reschedule, Special Provisions and Special Consideration below.
In the case of exceptional situations or serious circumstances which are beyond your control and are unavoidable, you may be eligible for adjustments to exam conditions, as outlined below. Exceptional situations may include illness, injury and misadventure.
Possible adjustments include:
If your application is approved, we will apply an adjustment to support you and ensure that you receive fair and equal academic treatment. This could be in the form of a different date for the examination, different examination conditions, or an alternative assessment.
It is not guaranteed that your application will be approved. Even if you’re eligible for adjustments, special arrangements are not always possible.
If you are affected by long-term circumstances, such as a chronic or recurring medical condition, we encourage you to register with the Equity Office.
The Equity and Disability Support Officer is available for consultation with students who have a disability, language difficulty or a medical condition who are seeking support.
Applications for Special Provisions through the Equity Office must be made prior to the publication of the draft examination timetable for the relevant semester, in line with the Disability Policy and must be supported by verifiable, appropriate documentation from a relevant professional.
If you are registered with the Equity Office, you should only apply for Special Provisions for situations related to your disability if:
If you experience illness, misadventure or circumstances beyond your control that has nothing to do with your disability but affects your studies for an examination, you may also be eligible to apply for Special Provisions as per the information above.
If you experience adverse circumstances outside of your control that may affect your preparation for or ability to attend an examination, you may request a Reschedule.
Your reasons for applying to Reschedule your examination may include:
The following situations will not normally be approved as reasons to Reschedule an examination:
The evidence you provide will be used in assessing your application, so it is very important to provide all relevant supporting documents.
Eligible supporting documentation may include, but is not limited to:
Where obtaining documentary evidence is impossible, a statutory declaration may be acceptable. The appropriate statutory declaration form and information about using a statutory declaration can be obtained from: https://www.jp.nsw.gov.au/Pages/justices-of-the-peace/nsw-statutory-declaration.aspx Statutory Declarations will not be accepted for health grounds.
If you are studying remotely and have an examination scheduled between 10pm and 7am in your local time, you will be able to apply for it to be rescheduled and held at a time within your local business hours.
Special Consideration will not be granted if you fail to realise an examination is being conducted at AEST/AEDT.
Applications must be submitted at least 10 working days prior to the commencement of the examination period unless there are extenuating circumstances.
If, before an examination, you feel unwell to the point that you believe you cannot sit it, you should follow these steps:
No, not unless there are exceptional circumstances.
EXAMINATION ADJUSTMENTS APPLICATION
If, leading up to an examination, you are injured or experience some other short-term health condition, but still wish to attend the exam, you may apply for Special Provisions during the exam. Special Provisions aim to minimise or eliminate the impact of a recent injury or onset of an illness while maintaining academic standards. Examples of such situations may include, but are not limited to, injury to your writing arm or hand, an inability to sit for a prolonged duration.
Special Provisions may include, but are not limited to, additional time, use of scribe or a laptop, separate supervision or rest breaks.
Students who have a disability or chronic medical condition which may impact their ability when attending examinations should apply to the Equity Officer for Special Provisions. Such applications must be made prior to the publication of the draft examination timetable for the relevant semester, in line with the Disability Policy and must be supported by verifiable, appropriate documentation from a relevant professional.
The evidence you provide will be used in assessing your application, so it is very important to provide all relevant supporting documents.
Eligible supporting documentation must include a letter or medical certificate from an accepted health professional, which must include the dates and duration of the injury or health condition and the extent of possible impairment.
Your application must be submitted as soon as possible, normally within 24 hours of the injury or onset of the acute illness, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
EXAMINATION ADJUSTMENTS APPLICATION
If you experience serious circumstances outside of your control during an examination, which you consider may have impacted on your performance, you may apply for Special Consideration. Reasons for this could be, but are not limited to, if you experience an acute medical issue or if a problem occurs in the examination environment such as an emergency evacuation or power failure. However, applications will only be approved in exceptional circumstances.
By sitting an examination on the scheduled date, you are declaring that you are fit to do so and cannot later apply for Special Consideration, unless if during the examination you feel unwell to the point that you cannot continue. If this occurs, you should take the following steps:
The following situations will not normally be approved as reasons for Special Consideration for an online examination:
The evidence you provide will be used in assessing your application, so it is very important to provide all relevant supporting documents.
If your application refers to a medical issue which you experienced during the examination, a letter or medical certificate from an accepted health professional is expected. Unless there are exceptional circumstances this should be dated within 24 hours of the examination.
For any other issue experienced during the examination, if the supervisor does not make a general announcement, you should speak with the supervisor during, or immediately after, the examination. The supervisor will notify the Director, Student Administration Services in writing immediately after the examination has concluded.
All applications must be submitted within 24 hours of the conclusion of the examination, unless there are extenuating circumstances.
EXAMINATION ADJUSTMENTS APPLICATION
You must submit your application by email to [email protected] from your student email account.
Yes, just provide details of all relevant units on the same application form and provide one set of supporting documentation.
Appeal
If you are unsatisfied with the result of an application you can appeal the outcome by following Avondale’s Appeal process set out in the Appeal Procedure (Academic).
Student Life Services can assist you with a wide range of questions and can be contacted at Student Life
You should refer to the Examination Procedure for further information.
