Absences from Tests and Examinations

Tests and examinations are integral parts of both formative and summative assessments, and students are expected to attend all assessments arranged by the School. The School will provide assessment schedules in advance so that absences from tests and examinations due to personal matters can be avoided.

Students will receive a zero for missed tests and examinations. Under normal circumstances, the School will only consider exceptional or unavoidable circumstances as acceptable excuses (e.g., if the student is competing as a representative of Hong Kong, China, or the School). Other excuses will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are subject to approval at the discretion of the Headmaster. In all cases, students should complete the form titled “Application for Absence from Tests and Examinations,” which can be downloaded from the School website. The form should be submitted, along with relevant supporting documents, to the Dean of Studies at least 10 working days before the test or examination is due to take place.

If an application for absence from a test is approved by the School, the student will receive a projected test mark based on the subsequent examination mark. If the student is also absent from the subsequent examination, he will receive a zero for both the missed test and the missed examination, along with the remark “ABS” on the report card for the missed examination.

If an application for absence from an examination is approved by the School, the student will be given a makeup examination (except for Chinese Composition, English Composition, and English Literature) as soon as possible, before the answer scripts are returned to students. A student who has been granted a makeup examination but does not take it will have no further opportunity to take another makeup examination. He will receive a zero and be given the remark “ABS” on the report card for the missed examination. Students missing the Chinese Composition, English Composition, and English Literature examinations will only receive a projected examination mark based on the relevant CA mark.

Students missing tests without approval from the School will receive a zero for the missed tests. Students missing examinations without approval from the School will receive a zero and the remark “ABS” on the report card for the missed examinations.

Due to specific requirements set by the International Baccalaureate Organization, IB students should refer to the DBS IB Policies and Guidelines.

Download: Absences from Tests and Examinations Application Form