Special Provisions
The School Curriculum and Standards Authority recognises that individual students, under circumstances outlined in the special provisions policy, may need special external assessment arrangements to allow them to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understandings within certain courses. The underlying principle of special provisions is to ensure that appropriate, fair and reasonable arrangements and options are available for students to demonstrate their capabilities where their external assessment is affected by illness, impairment or personal circumstances. Special provisions are available for practical and written examinations.
Students who are eligible for special provisions are not exempt from meeting the requirements for a Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE), or from being assessed in a course.
In considering the eligibility for special provisions, the School Curriculum and Standards Authority is mindful of the need to balance the competing demands of allowing students to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and understandings with the need to preserve the academic integrity of the assessment process. Not all provisions trialed at school may be approved for use in the ATAR course examinations.
There are two types of special provisions for the ATAR course examinations:
- Special examination arrangements – Candidates who have a temporary or permanent disability, illness and/or specific learning disability that could disadvantage them in timed assessments may apply to sit an examination under special conditions. Application is made prior to the examinations.
- Sickness/misadventure provisions – Candidates who suffer from a temporary sickness, non-permanent disability or an unforeseen event close to or during the examinations which they believe may have resulted in performance below expectations or non-attendance in particular examinations are given the opportunity to apply for assessment consideration. Application is made immediately after the examinations.
Specific eligibility criteria apply for each form of special provision.
Select an option from the list below to view its associated information. Documents are available in rich text (Microsoft Word) and PDF (Portable Document Format).
- Equitable Access to Assessment Policy and Guidelines
Last updated: 18th May 2022
Also available in Word Format - Schools Guide to Special Provisions in ATAR Course Examinations 2023 - information for Case Coordinators
Last updated: 13th Jan 2023
Also available in Word Format - Equitable Access Adjustments (Special Examination Arrangements) for the ATAR Course Examinations – Information sheets for candidates
Last updated: 13th Jan 2023 - Application Form for Equitable Access Adjustments 2023 (Interactive format and links).
Last updated: 13th Jan 2023 - Application for Equitable Access Adjustments 2023 (standard format).
Last updated: 13th Jan 2023 - Information for Health Professionals and Evidence Templates.
Last updated: 13th Jan 2023 - Psychometric results template
Last updated: 13th Jan 2023 - PAT-R reading results template
Last updated: 13th Jan 2023 - Modified examination paper requirements template
Last updated: 13th Jan 2023 - Equitable Access Adjustments (Special Examination Arrangements) for Mental Health Conditions
Last updated: 13th Jan 2023 - Alternative format practical examinations for candidates with long-term injury or illness
Last updated: 13th Jan 2023 - Special Examination Arrangements Assessors - Expressions of Interest
Last updated: 13th Jan 2023 - Sickness/Misadventure application form 2023
Last updated: 8th September 2023 - Equitable access adjustments for ATAR course examinations
Last updated: 5th April 2023