Exams

Examinations are a component of all core courses, and some elective courses. All MBA examinations have an open-book policy, the specific details of which may vary between courses. Students should note that full referencing principles apply, and credit will not be given for work copied from textbooks or other materials distributed during courses.

Students MUST make themselves available at the time of their scheduled exam. The exam timetable is set early in the trimester for Adelaide students; for offshore programs, exam dates and times are set at Orientation. This allows ample time for students to provide notice to their employer and make arrangements to be available on the day. A student will fail their course if they cannot sit the exam on the day it is scheduled unless there are genuine reasons for their non-attendance. Genuine reasons include sickness, severe family emergencies, and absolute unavoidable business travel or arrangements.

It is each student's responsibility to read the examination timetable. Misreading the timetable is not accepted as grounds for granting a supplementary examination. The official examination timetable will be available on the web around the middle of each trimester. University staff are NOT permitted to provide examination times to you over the telephone or in response to personal enquiries. Except in exceptional circumstances, and then only with the prior approval of the Head, examinations will be held only at the time and locations stated in the University's Examination Timetable.

Supplementary Exam Policy

Supplementary examinations may be granted on medical, compassionate or academic grounds. Note that supplementary examinations are not granted lightly. For example, part of the application form for a supplementary exam on medical grounds requires completion by a Registered Medical Practitioner and an application on compassionate grounds requires supporting statements from two other parties.

Students who are permitted to undertake a supplementary exam, but do not attend this exam, will fail their course.

Medical and/or Compassionate Grounds

Medical: Where an illness or injury prevents a student attending an examination or significantly impairs his or her preparation for or performance in an examination.

Compassionate: Where exceptional personal circumstances prevent a student attending an examination or significantly impair his or her preparation for or performance in an examination.

Medical/Compassionate: Where a combination of illness or injury and personal circumstances prevents a student attending an examination or significantly impairs his or her preparation for or performance in an examination.

Students who wish to apply for a supplementary examination on Medical and/or Compassionate grounds, should, within 7 days of the occurrence of the condition or circumstances, complete a Supplementary Exam Application form, available from the University website: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/

Where a supplementary examination is granted on compassionate or medical grounds, the student’s final mark is not limited to 50.

Academic Grounds

This is Business School Policy and Practice and it takes precedence over University Policy.

Students must attain, at least, an average value of 50% for all individually assessed components in order to pass the overall course. A student who has not passed the individual components of the course may receive a pass mark but a fail grade, for example 54.

Students achieving an aggregated final mark of 45% to 49% for individual components of the course will automatically be granted a supplementary examination on academic grounds, if they have not previously been offered redemption opportunities during the course.

Students who do not achieve at least 45% for the aggregated individual components of a course assessment, will be deemed to have failed the course and will not be offered the opportunity for a supplementary examination. They must repeat the course.

Students achieving an aggregated final mark of 45% to 49% for all assessment components AND who have attained at least an average value of 50% for all individually assessed components will automatically be granted a form of supplementary assessment on academic grounds.

Where a supplementary examination is granted on academic grounds, the student’s final mark may not exceed ‘50 Pass.’

Students failing a course, or failing a supplementary exam, are required to repeat the course and pay the appropriate course fee.

Applying for a Supplementary Exam

Students must apply by email to the Program Administrator (copy to the Course Lecturer). They must supply all supporting medical or other documentation such as a formal letter from their employer and, if applying on Medical and/or Compassionate grounds, include a Supplementary Exam Application form, available from the University website: http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/exams/ . The Program Administrator will then liaise with the Course Lecturer.

Viewing of Examination Scripts

It is the policy of the University that examination scripts are not returned to students. However, scripts will be held by the AGSB for a period of 12 months following the examination. Students may ask to review their paper and discuss their performance with the Lecturer. After 12 months the scripts will be destroyed.