Prioritising your health during exams

What to do if you’re unwell at this time.

Exam time can be very stressful for many students. That's why it's so important to look after your physical and mental wellbeing while studying for and sitting your assessments. Take some of the pressure off. Remember - you’re more than your results!

The same goes for if you fall ill right before or during an exam. Your health comes first, and there are ways to manage this situation. Here’s how:

If you are feeling unwell on the day, don’t sit for your exam.

You don’t have to sit the exam if you’re sick – in fact, you shouldn’t! The same goes for other extenuating circumstances that may befall you at the last minute. You may be eligible to defer your final assessment if such situations arise at the eleventh hour.

Reasons for deferral may include:

• medical condition

• mental health condition

• loss or bereavement

• family (relationship breakdown)

• victim of crime

• carer responsibilities

• religious or cultural obligations

• other exceptional circumstances beyond your control.

However, other issues like technical issues or mistakes (such as getting the time or location of your assessment wrong) will not be considered under the eligibility criteria.

Make sure to apply before 11:55pm on its set date. You can find out more about applying for a deferral here.

You can also apply for a rescheduled deferred assessment.

If you’ve already deferred your exam but still need more time, you may be eligible to apply for a rescheduled deferred assessment even later. Please note, the eligibility criteria for this is much stricter. In most cases, you will need to prove that an ongoing or extreme circumstance has occurred.

Applications for this must also be completed within 90 calendar days of the results release for the original assessment period.

Again, be sure to apply before 11:55pm on its set date. You can read more about rescheduling a deferred assessment here.

If you get sick during your exam, ask for help immediately.

In the unlikely event that this happens mid-exam, you need to call on an invigilator and let them know what’s happening. From there, they can direct you to a medical professional for assessment. They must deem you unfit to continue with your exam, and you must get that opinion from them in writing. If you don’t you will not be granted a second attempt.

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Do you have more questions?

If you need help with applying for a deferred exam, or are unsure about anything else to do with exams this year, touch base with us at mga-advocay@monash.edu.