If a student is absent on the day of a scheduled VCE assessment, the following procedures and requirements apply to ensure compliance with VCAA guidelines:
Students must inform the school as early as possible if they will be absent for a scheduled assessment, including School-Assessed Coursework (SAC) and School-Assessed Tasks (SAT). Permission should be sought from the teacher in advance using the Permission for Assessment Absence Form. For absences due to illness or injury, students must instead provide a medical certificate or other documentation from a qualified healthcare professional.
In some circumstances, the school may offer an alternative assessment date. Alternative assessments will be arranged at the discretion of the school, taking into account the student’s circumstances and in line with VCAA guidelines to ensure fairness and equity.
If a student is absent or late for a VCAA external examination, they must notify the school immediately. In cases of extenuating circumstances, a student may apply for a Derived Examination Score (DES). The student must submit a DES application to VCAA, including supporting evidence, to have their scores adjusted based on other assessments they completed in the subject and the General Achievement Test.
If a student misses an assessment without an approved reason or fails to provide the required documentation, they may receive a score of zero for that assessment. This may affect the student's overall satisfactory result for the outcome and/or the unit.