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.
Streamlined Special Consideration process for students impacted by recent global or local events
If you are applying for Special Consideration because you are impacted by concerning global or local events, please use this online application form. You will only need to provide a personal statement that outlines your circumstances in your application. If we require additional information from you, a member of our team will contact you.
| 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 submitted after the original due date of the assessment are considered late.
You cannot apply for a Short Extension of Time after the original due date of the assessment – you must instead submit an application for Special Consideration.
When submitting a Special Consideration application late, you must provide evidence of the exceptional circumstances that prevented you from applying on time.
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.
If you have a LAP and need a Short Extension of Time, you must email your subject coordinator by 11:59 pm (Melbourne time) on the original due date to receive an extension of 7 calendar days. Your coordinator doesn’t need to reply immediately – when you sent your email is what matters.
If your LAP says you can apply for extensions late, your extension will be based on the original due date, not the date you sent your email. For example, if you email 5 calendar days after the due date, you’ll only receive a 2 calendar day extension instead of a 7 calendar day extension.
Visit the Short Extension of Time page for more information.
Specific Assessment Adjustment eligibility information
Short Extension of Time
As per Section 3 of the Assessment Policy, all coursework students are eligible for a Short Extension of Time, unless otherwise stated (e.g. as per the Eligible Assessments table on each subject's LMS site).
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. Visit the Short Extension of Time page for more information.
If you require a further extension beyond the Short Extension of Time or your assessment isn't eligible, you can apply for Special Consideration (if eligible).
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.