Illness and examinations - advice for students
Last updated on: 18/01/2010
Unfortunately, students may sometimes find themselves unable to sit an examination /examinations due to illness.
In such instances you have two options. These are:
Sit the paper(s) at the next available opportunity. You will need to discuss this with your school or college.
Ask your centre to apply for special consideration where you have already completed the majority of the qualification.
Further information on special consideration is available on the JCQ website - http://www.jcq.org.uk/attachments/published/538/25.%20AARASC%200910.pdf
Advice from the General Practitioners' Council (GPC)
The GPC have asked that schools and colleges note that GPs will not provide sick notes in support of special consideration applications.
A medical certificate is not necessary when making an application for special consideration where a candidate misses an exam or their performance in an exam is affected as a result of a temporary illness/injury. As long as the school or college supports the application for special consideration this is considered sufficient evidence.
If you have an ongoing or long-term illness access arrangements should be considered. Information on access arrangements is available on the JCQ website -
http://www.jcq.org.uk/attachments/published/538/25.%20AARASC%200910.pdf
You will need to discuss possible access arrangements with your school or college.