Memorandum to Schools 47/2008
20 May 2008
Examination Irregularities
Please find attached an application form for the VCAA’s Examination Irregularities procedure. The use of these forms is described on pages 138–139 of the VCE and VCAL Administrative Handbook 2008. The application forms should not be sent to examination supervisors.
The VCAA aims to provide students with high quality, fair examinations. In some instances, events outside a student’s control occur and the examination may be perceived as giving an unfair assessment of the student. On receiving an application from the school, the VCAA’s Examination Irregularities Panel may rule that an estimate, based on the student’s other available and relevant assessments, is a fairer assessment than the unadjusted examination score. This procedure will ensure that students affected by Examination Irregularities are not given lower scores than expected, thereby providing them with a ‘safety net’.
This intervention in the normal examining process is not to be undertaken lightly, and schools should ensure that all applications are well founded. Examination Irregularity application forms are only to be used by senior school administrative staff, such as the Principal or VCE Coordinator.
Please note that application forms should be mailed or faxed to the return address printed on the form as soon as possible, with all necessary supporting documentation (including, if applicable, a copy of the Examination Incident Report Form used by supervisors to report any incidents during the VCE examinations). Any copies of last year’s Examination Irregularity application form may still be used.
If an Examination Irregularity application is submitted for more than one student in respect of the same examination incident, you need only complete one form but please attach a list of students’ names and numbers.
The VCAA must receive Examination Irregularity applications no later than seven days after the student’s last examination in the relevant examination period.
In October/November there are different closing dates for oral, performance, October LOTE written and October/November written examinations. These dates can be found on the students’ individual Student Assessment Timetables produced in VASS using the menu STUDENT PROGRAMS → VCE Reports → Student Assessment Timetables.
Please note that late applications will only be considered in exceptional circumstances.
Any questions about examination irregularities should be directed to The Manager, VCE Examinations (phone: 03 9225 2359). Additional forms, if needed, may be produced by photocopying the original.
Attachment:
Examination Irregularity Application Form (PDF - 46KB)
