Special conditions and aegrotats in tests and exams
Ensuring equity in tests and exams is crucial for creating an inclusive learning environment where all students can succeed. By following these guidelines, you help remove barriers and provide fair opportunities for everyone.
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.
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. 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 or an Inspera test
- a reader/writer
- alternative assessments
Advice for staff on designing accessible assessment tasks may be found on the Inclusive Design for Canvas website; these principles also apply for Inspera.
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 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 will coordinate with students and examiners on providing solutions that may include alternative times (out of time examination) or locations, or different but equivalent assessment options in accordance with the Inclusive Learning and Teaching of Students with Impairments Guidelines.
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 guide for managing excused assignments in Canvas Gradebook.
For academic term tests
According to the Assessment of Courses Procedures, 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).
See also
Identifying students with disabilities
The Faculty Access Portal is the University’s disabilities case management system.
Special Conditions in Test and Examinations Policy
Read about the University’s commitment to students requiring extra assistance for tests and examinations.
Special Conditions in Test and Examinations Procedures
Learn about your responsibility to students who request special conditions for their assessment.
Assessment of Courses Procedures
Refer to sections 147 – 176 for procedures relating to eligibility and application of aegrotat an compassionate applicants and deferment of clinical and performance examinations.
For students: Sitting tests or exams under special conditions
The central website outlines advice for students on what support is offered and how to apply.
For students: Aegrotat and compassionate consideration
This section is student-facing and describes the process that they can expect.
Page updated 08/04/2025 (content moved from tests and exams page)