Exam Postponements,
Cancellations
& Appeals

CRITERIA:
• A student cannot sit the final exam for personal medical reasons, i.e. their illness or injury.
• Minor illnesses such as colds, sore throats, headaches, digestive problems etc., would not normally be acceptable.
• Must be relating to the student themself – not a family member

EVIDENCE:
• Doctor's certificate (relating to the date of the final exam)
• Medical circumstances that do not relate directly to the assessment date in question or cannot be attributed to affecting the assessment will not be considered – i.e.
o A statutory sick pay certificate
o Minor illnesses that could be treated with over the counter remedies (e.g. colds, coughs, sore throats etc.)

CRITERIA:
• Pregnancy-related illness

EVIDENCE:
• The requirements for illness, hospitalisation etc., should be followed if there is a specific incident during pregnancy.

CRITERIA:
• Long-standing Medical Condition
• A confirmed Disability
• Hospitalisation

EVIDENCE:
• Confirmation of the illness, the impact the illness has had on the affected assessment(s) and the dates concerned.
• There should be a confirmed diagnosis by a registered doctor specifying the nature of the illness. If currently undergoing assessment and no diagnosis has been reached, then documentation by a registered doctor specifying symptoms will be considered.

CRITERIA:
• A student is unable to access the online exam room as they have not fully completed all the required steps in their PoE by the due dates before the exam to be fully prepared for the online exam

EVIDENCE:
• Student must demonstrate that there were extreme circumstances beyond their control that prevented them from completing their PoE and pre-checks.
• Failure to complete the PoE or have the required resources, does not qualify.

CRITERIA:
• If a student experiences scheduled load shedding or an unexpected power failure during the exam and cannot enter the exam.
• Students must have contacted the ICB immediately after power is restored to request assistance and additional time if applicable.
• Students will be granted additional time during the exam session at the ICB's discretion to complete the exam where possible. If this were deemed sufficient to complete the exam – any postponement request would be declined.

EVIDENCE:
• Load shedding schedule indicating that load shedding occurred during the exam.
• Independent confirmation of power failure indicating power outage during the exam.
• Ticket/chat logged with the ICB during the exam period immediately after power was restored to request assistance.
• The Academic Board will review only issues outside of the student's control.

CRITERIA:
• The student is unable to start or complete the exam due to poor network connectivity. If the student was using a "fixed line" connection for the exam, contacted the ICB for assistance and provided proof of connection and network speed during the exam.

EVIDENCE:
• Proof of attempt during the exam (i.e. Ticket/chat logged with the ICB during the exam session)
• Proof of connection type and speed test received during the exam
• Student accurately completed the pre-exam technical checks with the same resources
• Proof that student was using a fixed-line connection (i.e. not Wi-Fi or hotspot or data etc.)

CRITERIA:
• Unexpected internet interruption - If a student experiences an internet failure through their internet service provider during the exam and cannot complete the exam.
• Students will be granted additional time during the exam session at the ICB's discretion to complete the exam where possible. If this were deemed sufficient to complete the exam – any postponement request would be declined.

EVIDENCE:
• Independent confirmation from the internet service provider indicating that their service was down during the exam.
• Ticket/chat logged with the ICB during the exam period immediately after connectivity is restored if during the exam.
• Proof that student was using a fixed-line connection (i.e. not Wi-Fi or hotspot or data etc.)

CRITERIA:
• If the student has been involved in a crime incident, that has affected their ability to write the final exam.

EVIDENCE:
• Police report (including a crime reference number).
• If the incident has resulted in the student seeking medical attention, then the requirements for illness should be followed.

CRITERIA:
• If the student has been involved in a transport incident, either as a passenger or driver.
• The student's responsibility is to arrive at the assessment on time, irrespective of the form of transport used or relied upon.
• This criteria applies to specific accidents only and not any other transport delays

EVIDENCE:
• Evidence must be provided detailing the time and place that the incident occurred, including:
• A police report (including a crime reference number)
• Insurance reference number/record of the event.

CRITERIA:
• Legal proceedings requiring attendance at court as a witness

EVIDENCE:
• Documentary evidence from the court or a lawyer/advocate including the dates of the legal proceedings and the requirement for the student to attend.

CRITERIA:
• Where a student's immediate family member has a serious illness, independent confirmation of both the illness and how the illness affected the student's assessment(s) should be provided.
• Other relationships may be considered subject to there being sufficient evidence of the closeness and impact.

EVIDENCE:
• A medical report from a qualified medical practitioner or a copy of a death certificate, coroner's report, a letter from a medical professional.
• Accompanied if necessary by formal documentation confirming relationship with deceased.
• A letter from a doctor or employer verifying the impact would be considered as independent confirmation.
• Whilst a death certificate is a sensitive and often difficult document to obtain, it is required to prevent fraudulent claims.

CRITERIA:
• Severe adverse personal/family difficulties
• This can include a whole range of issues, such as separation from spouse/partner, conflict with others, caring duties that couldn't be done by anyone else, etc.
• Examination stress is a common experience and not normally considered a personal mitigating circumstance as some level of sleep disturbance or feeling nauseous can be usual

EVIDENCE:
• Confirmation of the circumstances and/or independent confirmation (where appropriate) of the effect on the student sitting the assessment(s) and the dates concerned.
• A letter from a doctor, employer, or counsellor verifying the impact would be considered independent confirmation.

CRITERIA:
• If the student experienced disruption that caused a significant impact on the student's exam performance, such as:
• Significant noise.
• Disruption during the examination.
• Significant environmental impact, e.g. heating/lighting
• Power outage

EVIDENCE:
• This must be reported to the invigilator before leaving the exam centre, and evidence of reporting must be included in your application. The invigilator will have an appropriate form.

1. I have read and understood the ICB Examinations policy regarding applications for Postponements.
2. This is the first and final submission for this Postponement request
3. I understand that the ICB's evaluation will be done on information supplied. Any evidence that is not submitted now, will not be accepted at a later date.
4. This application is within the prescribed deadlines (usually up to 48 hours after an exam)
5. I understand that even if the online exam was attempted, and this postponement is granted, that submission will be automatically forfeited and it will be a requirement to resit the next exam.
6. That the information submitted has been done with absolute honestly with the utmost integrity.