Students Undertaking Unit 3/4 Studies: Special Examination Arrangements

This notice is to advise of the availability of Special Examination Arrangements for students undertaking studies in Unit 3/4 studies in 2023. 

Please also note that students who applied and were granted Special Examination Arrangements in 2022 must submit a new application for 2023.

Applications to the VCAA for Special Arrangements are NOT automatic.  Parents and Guardians must advise if they wish to initiate an application for their student to be considered for these arrangements. 

Eligibility for Special Examination Arrangements 

Students may be eligible for Special Examination Arrangements if it can be demonstrated that their capacity to access the examination is impaired due to:

·         Severe Health Impairment or Physical Disability

·         Significant Mental Health Condition

·         Specific Learning Disorder

·         Hearing Impairment

·         Vision Impairment

·         Severe Language Disorder

In each case, the application will require appropriate Health Professionals to provide information to support any requested special arrangements.

Special Examination Arrangements may take the form of:

a.    Extra reading time. This will not exceed 15 minutes per examination.

b.    Extra writing time. This will not exceed 10 minutes per hour other than in exceptional circumstances such as for a student with a significant physical disability or severe vision impairment.

c.    Rest breaks. These will not exceed 10 minutes per hour other than in exceptional circumstances such as bathroom procedures for the physically disabled students. If a student requires a rest break to stand and stretch or leave the room under supervision, these must be specifically requested in the school's application.

d.    Alternative format examination papers such as enlarged print, coloured paper, Braille and/or recorded examination papers. (Vision impaired students are eligible to apply for exemption from the GAT because Braille and recorded GAT papers are not available.)

e.    Permission to use special technological aids such as a computer or microphone for a hearing-impaired student.

f.     A reader and/or a scribe. Any person who has a close association with the student is not permitted to act as a reader or a scribe in an examination.

g.    A clarifier (only approved for a student with a serious hearing impairment or severe language disorder). Any person who has a close association with the student is not permitted to act as a clarifier in an examination.

h.    Alternative examination venue, such as separate room, home or hospital.

Applications for all of the above Special Examination Arrangements must meet the VCAA eligibility criteria. 

Additional requirements such as an IQ Test, PAT-R Reading Comprehension and Prescribed Essays are required for those requesting additional writing time. 

Students should provide a copy of their 2022 November English Examination as one of the prescribed essays required. (The PAT-R and Prescribed Essays are undertaken at the school). A copy of the Mathematics Examination paper is also required if you wish for these provisions to be available for any Mathematics subjects.

This advice is being shared with parents now to make time for appropriate appointments and to gather the required information prior to the application deadline.  All application information must be completed and returned to me by 22nd March.

Please be reminded that the VCAA is responsible for determining eligibility and for granting approval of Special Examination Arrangements.

If you feel that you should be considered for Special Examination Arrangements, please advise me at your earliest opportunity to initiate an application and to provide you with additional information regarding requirements for your situation.

Below is a copy of a brief checklist which was used previously as a guide to the evidence required for applications.

Ms Michelle Gilkes