Alternative assessment arrangements
What is available?
Some students need adjustments to be made to assessment arrangements to ensure they have the same opportunity to demonstrate their learning as other students.
Class-based assessments
The most common and simple adjustment that can be made for students with disability is the provision of extensions for assignments.
Other adjustments may include:
- additional time for lab or practical assessments
- use of scribe or equipment
- consideration of an alternative form of assessment (eg written work instead of class presentation, oral presentation instead of written).
Examinations
Depending on the impact of the student's impairment, alternative arrangements could include:
- rest breaks
- extended writing time
- use of a scribe
- variation of exam presentation such as audiotape or use of computer
- individual venue.
Individual exam venues and supervision
Venues at Burwood, Geelong, and Warrnambool can accommodate most alternative arrangements, but individual supervision or home sits can be arranged where necessary. Discuss your needs with Disability Resource Centre Staff to find out what is possible.
Penalty charges may apply if you make late changes to your examination venue (see the Deakin University undergraduate or postgraduate studies handbooks).
If you require individual supervision you will need to supply the name of a person who is willing to supervise the examination. The supervisor cannot be a student at Deakin University, a member of your family, or a person living with you. Deakin pays the supervisor to invigilate your examination. Deakin reserves the right to nominate a supervisor in some instances.
We recommend that you approach academic staff directly to negotiate extensions and other adjustments to class-based assessments.
The Disability Resource Centre arranges exam adjustments and can also assist you with negotiating other adjustments. Apply now
Planning ahead
Alternative assessment arrangements take time to organise. The earlier your needs are identified, the better we can assist. Discuss your needs with Disability Resource Centre staff as soon as possible; ideally within the first few weeks of the academic year.
Requests for changes to examination arrangements should be made before the release of the exam timetable on Student Connect, or as soon as your circumstances change. Requests cannot be processed less than 10 working days before your scheduled exam date.
Assessment adjustments are designed to address the impact of a disability or ongoing health condition.
Special consideration is designed for any student who has been hampered from performing at their best in a particular piece of assessment because of circumstances beyond their control, such as an illness or an event. Even if you are receiving assessment adjustments, you may still experience a change in circumstances (such as a bout of illness) that warrants special consideration.
Think about applying for special consideration through your Faculty if:
- you haven't been able to apply in time for an examination adjustment
- you experienced changed circumstances that affected your ability to perform in the assessment
- you feel that the adjustments you had were not sufficient to accommodate the impact of your impairment.
