Special consideration is given to a candidate who has temporarily experienced illness, injury or some other event outside of their control at the time of the assessment.
It is applied when the issue or event has had, or is reasonably likely to have had, a material effect on a candidate’s ability to take an assessment or demonstrate his or her normal level of attainment in an assessment.
Candidates will be eligible for special consideration if they have been fully prepared and have covered the whole course but performance in the examination, or in the production of coursework or non-examination assessment, is materially affected by adverse circumstances beyond their control.
With respect to Examinations
Special consideration will normally be given by applying an allowance of additional marks to each component affected within a specification. The size of the allowance depends on the timing, nature and extent of the illness or misfortune. The maximum allowance given will be 5% of the total raw marks available in the component concerned, including coursework/non-examination assessment.
The decision made by the awarding body will be based on various factors
The centre must be satisfied that there has been a material detrimental effect on candidate examination performance or in the production of coursework or non-examination assessment.
With respect to Non Examined Assessments
Where an individual candidate meets the published criteria for special consideration, i.e. a temporary illness, temporary injury or other indisposition, prior to the submission of their work, it may be possible to allow a short extension to the deadline.
If a candidate has been subject to an unforeseen prolonged illness or other misfortune during the period when the work was being produced, it may, in some subjects, be possible to accept a reduced quantity of work without penalty. However, all of the assessment objectives must have been covered at least once. This will not be possible if the specification only requires one piece.
Candidates must have been fully prepared for the course but unable to finish the work. Awarding bodies will not normally agree a reduced amount of work in advance.