Eligibility Criteria
Assessment Adjustments are intended to support you if you have experienced, or are experiencing, unforeseen or exceptional circumstances that have impacted, or will impact, the completion of an assessment task.
Where an Assessment Adjustment is granted, you may be given an extension, removal of late penalty, an alternative assessment, a rescheduled assessment or deferred final assessment. More information can be found on Possible outcomes.
You may seek support from Student Advocacy, ASK La Trobe, Health, Wellbeing and Inclusion or your Student Advisor when considering making an application for an Assessment Adjustment.
The following information contains eligibility criteria for a Short Extension of Time and Special Consideration. Please visit Replacement Examination Dates for more information regarding changes to scheduling of an assessment or examination.
How do I know what Assessment Adjustment to apply for?
Follow the below guidelines to assess which Assessment Adjustment you may be eligible for.
| Assessment Adjustment | Reason for Adjustment | Example Circumstances |
|---|---|---|
Short Extension of Time | Short extension required for any reason (to submit assignments, essays and projects only). |
|
| Special Consideration and Replacement Examination Dates (RED) | Unavoidable commitment or responsibility, known in advance. |
|
| Special Consideration and Replacement Examination Dates (RED) | Unforeseen, adverse circumstances, with a short-term impact. |
|
Late applications
Applications for Special Consideration and Short Extensions of Time submitted after the due date of the assessment are considered late.
Applications after this time can only be submitted as a Special Consideration and required you to provide evidence for the exceptional circumstances that prevented you from applying on time.
Students with a LAP can apply for a Short Extension of Time after the original due date, providing the application is submitted within 7 calendar days of the original due date of the assessment. The extension granted will be applied from the original due date (e.g. an application that is submitted 5 calendar days after the original due date will be granted a 2 calendar day extension).
Exceptional circumstances must have occurred during the period in which an application would normally be made, be accompanied by evidence, and are limited to:
- medical incapacitation or hospitalisation
- an emergency event, such as an accident
- death of a close family member
- an exacerbation of a condition provided for in a LAP
Applications for Special Consideration cannot be accepted where the results for a subject have already been released.
Specific Assessment Adjustment eligibility information
Short Extension of Time
As per Section 3 of the Assessment Policy, all coursework students are eligible for Short Extension of Time.
You will automatically receive a Short Extension of Time of 3 calendar days, and students with a Learning Access Plan (LAP) will receive an extension of 7 calendar days upon the provision of their LAP. Please see below for more information for students with a LAP.
If you require a further extension, beyond the Short Extension of Time, you should apply for Special Consideration (if eligible).
You can apply for a Short Extension of Time using the Assessment Adjustment Form in StudentOnLine.
If you have an approved LAP that includes up to 10 days extension, please submit a Short Extension of Time application to receive the automatic 7 days extension. You can then apply for an additional short extension of 7 days for the same assessment, if required.
When submitting an additional Short Extension of Time application, if your extension request is 7 days beyond the first extension date, and your LAP states you can apply for up to 10 days (LAP), enter your adjusted due date from your first approved extension when prompted to enter original due date.
For example:
- First Short Extension of Time application: if your assessment was due on 10 March, enter 10 March as the original due date.
- Additional Short Extension of Time application: if your assessment was originally due on 10 March, enter 17 March the original due date (i.e. the new due date from your first Short Extension of Time application).
Special Consideration
To be considered eligible for Special Consideration, you must be able to prove you have experienced circumstances considered to be of short-term impact, outside of your control that have or will have a significant impact on your ability to complete an assessment task.
Once you have identified that your circumstance may may align with the requirements for Special Consideration, you must:
- Provide the necessary documentation outlined in Reasons and Documentation to support your application
- Submit your application before the due date of your assessment
Students with a LAP can apply for Special Consideration where there is an exacerbation of their ongoing condition, or for unrelated circumstances of an acute nature. A copy of your LAP must be included with the application, as well a personal declaration explaining how your current circumstances have impacted your ability to complete the assessment task.
Please note: If you are applying based on circumstances that are not outlined in your LAP, you must provide the additional supporting documentation necessary.
Other circumstances
Some circumstances are not handled via Special Consideration. To find out about other supports for assessments and exams please visit the problems with assessments and exams website.
Please visit the Assessment Procedure - Adjustments (including Special Consideration) procedure for more information.