# Special conditions and aegrotats in tests and exams

**Source**: https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/assessment/tests-exams/special-conditions-and-aegrotats-in-tests-and-exams/
**Parent**: https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/

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 — Special conditions and aegrotats in tests and exams

# Special conditions and aegrotats in tests and exams

Ensuring equity in tests and exams is crucial for providing fair opportunities for everyone.

## On this page

- [Definitions](#definitions)
- [Special conditions](#special-conditions)
- [Aegrotat and compassionate consideration](#aegrotat)
- [See also](#see-also)

## Definitions

**Special conditions** refers to those requiring extra time in a test or exam, and/or support provided through [Ratonga Hauātanga Tauira, Student Disability Services](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/student-support/personal-support/students-with-disabilities.html).

**Aegrotat and compassionate consideration** is offered to students experiencing extenuating circumstances that are temporary, unforeseen, exceptional and beyond their control.

## Special conditions

Course coordinators and directors can identify students who require extra support in their studies through their [Faculty Access Portal](https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/resources/students-with-disabilities/). Student Disability Services or Assessment Services will advise and coordinate various learning and teaching adjustments:

- Enlarged fonts, text-to-speech
- Notetaking support via Canvas ‘Observer role’ access
- Extra time for attempting a [Canvas Quiz](https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/learning-technologies/canvas/quiz-assignment/quiz/#extra-time) or an [Inspera test](https://support.inspera.com/hc/en-us/articles/360029195771-Add-extra-time-to-candidates)
- A reader/writer
- Alternative assessments

Students with temporary or permanent disabilities or conditions that affect their ability to sit academic term tests or examinations under the prescribed conditions may [apply for special conditions](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/before-exams/sitting-your-test-or-exam-under-special-conditions/how-to-apply-for-special-conditions.html) through Te Papa Manaaki, Campus Care.

### During academic term tests

Course coordinators/directors can identify those who require extra time through the Faculty Access Portal. Student Disability Services will coordinate with students and examiners to provide an examination room with fewer or no other students present, where appropriate.

### During end of semester exams

Similar to the above, [Assessment Services](https://uoa.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1619/~/examinations-office-contact-details) will coordinate with students and examiners on providing solutions that may include [alternative times (out of time examination) or locations](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/before-exams/alternative-times-locations.html), or different but equivalent assessment options in accordance with the [Inclusive Learning and Teaching of Students with Impairments Guidelines](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/policy-hub/education-student-experience/learning-teaching-practice/inclusive-learning-teaching-students-impairments.html).

If the exam is an online Inspera exam, Assessment Services will automatically add extra time for approved students.

## Aegrotat and compassionate consideration

Procedures for aegrotat and compassionate consideration is a robust process requiring strong evidence of circumstances causing a temporary impairment of performance. The application and determination process can take up to six weeks, sometimes longer.

### For coursework

See our Canvas Gradebook page for [managing aegrotats for coursework](https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/canvas/gradebook/#how-to).

### For academic term tests

According to the [Assessment of Courses Procedures](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/policy-hub/education-student-experience/assessment/assessment-courses-procedures.html), students approved for an aegrotat or compassionate consideration for a test may be permitted (at the discretion of the course director) to either:

> - Sit another written or computer-based test; or
> - Receive a mark for the test based on the average of marks awarded for other tests or exams; or
> - Take a viva voce test; or
> - Have the percentage of marks allocated to the test reallocated to the examination (§ 172).

### For end of semester examinations

When determining an aegrotat or compassionate grade, the course director must be able to certify that:

> - The student’s coursework in the course or performance in a test meets the **minimum pass standard**; and
> - For a student who sat the examination, the mark attained in the examination was lower than expected taking into account the student’s coursework or test scores in the course; and
> - The student is clearly worthy of a pass in the course (§ 160).

Note: The **minimum pass standard** for coursework or test performance is “pass” (C-) grade or above.

And:

No more than one third of the total point value credited to a degree or diploma may be awarded with an aegrotat or compassionate grade (§ 162).

For more on this, including the process for **managing aegrotat grades for tests and exams** via the Aegrotat Applications Portal, visit:

- [Aegrotats and compassionate consideration](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/intranet/teaching-research/examinations/aegrotats-compassionate-consideration.html "login required") (Staff Intranet).

## On this page

- [Definitions](#definitions)
- [Special conditions](#special-conditions)
- [Aegrotat and compassionate consideration](#aegrotat)

## See also…

- [Identifying students with disabilities](https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/resources/students-with-disabilities/)
- [Guidelines for Coursework Extensions](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/staff/education-office/learning-teaching-policies/guidelines-assessments/guidelines-for-coursework-extensions.html)
- [Aegrotats and compassionate consideration](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/intranet/teaching-research/examinations/aegrotats-compassionate-consideration.html "login required") (texts and exams)
- [Submitting final grades](https://teachwell.auckland.ac.nz/canvas/gradebook/#how-to)
- [Special Conditions in Test and Examinations Policy](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/policy-hub/education-student-experience/assessment/special-conditions-written-tests-examinations-policy.html)
- [Special Conditions in Test and Examinations Procedures](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/policy-hub/education-student-experience/assessment/special-conditions-in-test-and-examinations-procedures.html)
- [Assessment of Courses Procedures](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about-us/about-the-university/policy-hub/education-student-experience/assessment/assessment-courses-procedures.html) (§ 147–176)

### Information for students

- [Sitting tests or exams under special conditions](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/before-exams/sitting-your-test-or-exam-under-special-conditions.html)
- [Aegrotat and compassionate consideration](https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/students/academic-information/exams-and-final-results/during-exams/aegrotat-compassionate-consideration.html)

*Page updated 30/10/2025 (stylistic changes)*