• Section 1 - Purpose and Context
• Section 2 - Definitions
• Section 3 - Policy Statement
• Examination Duration
• Deferred Examinations
• Section 4 - Procedures
• Section 5 - Guidelines

Section 1 - Purpose and Context

(1) The University recognises assessment is an essential part of the teaching and learning process and conducts final examinations as a summative assessment component within some units of study.

(2) This policy provides the principles for centrally administered examinations. Schools may also conduct examinations and should adopt the same principles and procedures.

(3) The policy and procedures should be read in conjunction with the Disability Policy, Assessment Policy - Criteria and Standards-Based Assessment, Award Courses and Units Approval Policy, Records Management Policy, Special Consideration Policy, Student Code of Conduct, Misconduct - Student Academic Misconduct Policy and Misconduct - Student Non-Academic Misconduct Policy.

Section 2 - Definitions

(4) The following definitions apply for the purposes of this policy:

1. Final examination - an examination which takes place during the Formal Examination Period.
2. Deferred Examination - a late examination conducted after the timetabled final examination due to a student's serious misadventure, accident or other extenuating circumstances.

Section 3 - Policy Statement

(5) The University conducts final examinations to:

1. moderate and validate the student's continuous assessment performance;
2. assess the extent to which the student has achieved the learning outcomes;
3. satisfy the requirements of external bodies e.g. professional associations, who may stipulate that a certain component of particular courses must contain some assessment that is undertaken by students independently, and supervised accordingly.

(6) Final examinations must be a valid component of a unit's assessment regime, which must be fit for the purpose of testing the student's achievement of the unit learning outcomes listed in the Learning Guide for the unit.

(7) Deans of Schools:

1. have overall accountability for the preparation of Final Examination and Deferred Examination papers for the units offered by their school and must ensure the examination papers are fit for purpose, and are written in clear and unambiguous language;
2. must ensure their schools have appropriate processes in place, endorsed by the School Academic Committee, to assure the academic quality of the examination questions, model answers and/or guidelines, and moderation of the marking scheme;
3. will report to their School Academic Committee on the discharge of their responsibilities at the conclusion of each formal examination period, identifying any matters that have impacted on the quality and effectiveness of the examinations process within the school.

(8) Unit Coordinators, Directors of Academic Programs, Academic Course Advisors and Deputy Deans are responsible for ensuring appropriate quality checks have been carried out in relation to the preparation, marking and moderation of examinations.

(9) Deans of Schools may delegate some or all of their functions under this policy to Deputy Deans or Directors of Academic Program.

Examination Duration

(10) The normal duration of a Final Examination is two hours including reading time. Students may use reading time to compose themselves, read the examination paper, take notes and commence planning their answers, or they may begin writing their examination answers as soon as they wish.

(11) Examinations of three hours are only permitted where:

1. required for professional accreditation of a course or unit; or
2. an academic case has been presented in the unit approval documentation justifying that this examination duration is essential to fully test whether a student has achieved the learning outcomes; and
3. prior approval has been given in accordance with the Award Courses and Units Approval Policy.

(12) Final Examinations and Deferred Examinations should not exceed three hours duration except where provided in an individual student's Academic Integration Plan.

(13) Each Final Examination must include ten minutes reading time.

Deferred Examinations

(14) A Deferred Examination may be granted:

1. in exceptional circumstances where the severity or gravity of the misadventure, accident or illness prevents them from sitting the examination;
2. where a student could not reasonably have been expected to avoid the circumstances that would lead to them missing an examination; and
3. only where the student has not entered the examination room.

(15) Deferred Examinations are normally held as soon as practicable after the Formal Examination Period and are centrally coordinated by the Assessment and Graduation Unit.

(16) Students who believe their examination performance has been adversely affected by serious misadventure or ill health may apply for Special Consideration in accordance with the Special Consideration Policy.

Section 4 - Procedures

(17) Examinations Procedures.

(18) Deferred Examination Procedures.

Section 5 - Guidelines