Assessment Extension or Extenuating Circumstances Application (ECA)?
It can be confusing to determine which process you need to follow if you find yourself having difficulties completing an assessment on time or facing extenuating circumstances during the examination period. Please refer to the flow chart below to help determine when to submit an Assessment Extension Request Form or an ECA. Please note that you can only use one form per assessment item—you cannot apply for both an Assessment Extension and an ECA for a single assessment item.
The ECA must be lodged within five (5) working days of the assessment due date or scheduled date of examination.
Helpful websites and policies
Extenuating Circumstances Application website
Policy: Student assessment (coursework)
Procedure:Â Student assessment (coursework)
Assessment Extension Request and ECA Form
Late submission of assessments in CSS courses
Please ensure that you refer to each course outline/class summary for the courses you are enrolled in every semester to determine whether late submission of assessment items is permitted within that specific course. Some CSS courses permit late submission with appropriate late penalties, while others do not permit late submission at all unless a formal assessment extension is approved. University policy outlines extension of assessment due dates and times, the late submission of work without an extension, and associated penalties. These matters are addressed in Policy: Student assessment (coursework).The procedures governing the application of this policy are set out in the Procedure: Student assessment (coursework).
Where an extension is approved, no penalty will apply for period covered by the extension.
Examinations
Unless otherwise specified, all CSS end of semester course examinations are held in-person and are centrally invigilated.
These examinations are timetabled and held on-campus during the university examination periods and can be viewed via the Exam Timetables website.
- Exam Conduct - explains what is expected of you when you attend an exam.
Deferred examinations
Deferred and supplementary assessments for ANU College of Systems and Society courses are conducted during the formal ANU Deferred and Supplementary Examination period. The dates can be found on ANU University calendar,and students will be given adequate notice of the form, time and place of the supplementary assessment.
Upon formal application, the University may approve alternative provisions for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students who are unable to attend a formal examination at the scheduled time due to extenuating circumstances. For eligibility criteria and details on how to apply, please read the information on Deferred Examination website carefully. Students will be notified of the outcome of the application via their student email account.
For Deferred Exams, the ANU Examinations Office will contact students via their student email account if an application is incomplete. Please note that amongst other reasons holidays, travel plans or other foreseeable, planned activities are not considered valid reasons for deferring an exam. Any further deferred examinations for a CSS course - granted only in exceptional, extenuating circumstances through the ECA process - will be scheduled at the discretion of the relevant school (for example, during the semester break following the primary Supplementary and Deferred Exam Period - i.e. after week 6).
Viewing exam papers
Students who wish to view examination script books must contact the course convener to request a time to view the exam. If there are a large number of requests, then Academic Services may set up viewing times. Students will be advised and required to register their attendance at these sessions. Please note that exam script viewing is a formal examination event and the following rules apply:
- Please bring your ANU student identification card with you to view exams. No other form of identification will be accepted.
- Student only allowed to view their own exam script.
- No phone, iPads, laptops, bags, paper or pens.
- No talking/discussion during viewing session.
- Multiple choice answer sheets are not available for viewing.
Any questions regarding the marking of the examination paper must be directed to the course convener.
Assessment appeal
If you consider the final published result of a course to be inappropriate or incorrect, you may appeal the outcome.
Prior to your appeal:
We encourage you to seek advice from an independent person knowledgeable about the process and aware of potential outcomes. The Dean of Students and the ANU Student Association (ANUSA) are available to provide you with advice. Depending on your circumstances, Student Safety and Wellbeing, ANU Counselling or ANU Accessibility may be able to provide assistance.
Please refer to ANU assessment appeal policy for detailed information or contact CSS Student Services if you need assistance.