Frequently Asked Questions - aegrotats and compassionate considerations

Aegrotat and compassionate consideration is the process by which the University seeks to ensure students are not academically disadvantaged when they suffer unexpected and significant impairment (e.g. serious illness) in relation to a test or exam. 

No, an aegrotat or compassionate consideration grade is not an additional mark added because of illness or misfortune or a ‘grade bump.’ The University cannot award a result for a course where it does not have reasonable academic evidence that the appropriate level of understanding of course material has been exhibited throughout the course. Instead, an aegrotat or compassionate consideration grade ensures you have not been academically disadvantaged by your circumstances. The application process includes an academic assessment to ensure your final grade for the course reflects your understanding of course material.

An aegrotat refers to significant circumstances outside your control that are medical in nature, such as illness or injury. Compassionate consideration refers to all other personal circumstances outside your control that are significant in nature, such as bereavement, family issues or technical issues. Whether you are applying for an aegrotat or compassionate consideration, your circumstances must have significantly impacted your ability to sit your test/exam, or seriously impaired your performance and/or preparation. Once the application has been approved and sent to the relevant department for academic review, there is no difference between how an aegrotat or compassionate application is assessed.

For more information about applying for an aegrotat or compassionate consideration.

No, from 15 March 2022, there is no application fee for aegrotat and compassionate consideration applications.

You must submit your application within the 7 day (inclusive) deadline. For example, if your exam is on the 20th of the month, your application must be received by end of day on the 26th. University regulations allow late application only where exceptional circumstances have prevented you from applying within the timeframe. 

Find out more about the application process for an aegrotat or compassionate consideration.

No, aegrotat or compassionate consideration grades do not impact your GPA. The final grade you receive for a course where an aegrotat or compassionate consideration was applied is calculated towards your GPA in the same way as your other final grades.

Yes, if your final grade was changed through the aegrotat or compassionate consideration process, it will show on your transcript as Grading Basis: Aegrotat or AGT (aegrotat) grade.

This is nothing to be concerned about, it is simply a record that reflects the application of an aegrotat for that course.

Under University regulations, no more than one third of the total points value credited to a degree or diploma may be awarded with an aegrotat or compassionate grade.

The University encourages all students to sit their tests and exams if at all possible. Because of this, we ask that you wait until the day of your test or exam to submit your application.

You must include evidence (where able to be reasonably attained) and a personal statement outlining how your circumstances impacted your preparation and/or performance in the test or exam, and you will not know this until you have attempted the test or exam.

This also applies if your circumstances mean you are unable to sit the test or exam at all – you must wait until the day of the test or exam, as sometimes circumstances may change and allow you to complete it after all.

Some students believe they can apply in advance under the “unable to sit” category and that this will mean they have “approval” not to sit their test or exam. This is not the case. You must sit your tests and exams if at all possible, unless your circumstances prevent you from doing so on the day. 

You have seven days (inclusive) from the date of your test, or seven days (inclusive) from the date of your final exam for the semester in which to submit your aegrotat or compassionate consideration application. 

There are some limited reasons why you may be able to move an exam to a different day or time, in advance. This is different from applying for an aegrotat or compassionate consideration. You can learn more about alternative times for exams and the strict criteria that apply by visiting Alternative times for exams.

Applications for aegrotat or compassionate consideration must be submitted within seven days of your test or exams (inclusive). This ensures that applications are reviewed in a timely and consistent manner, and all students are treated fair and equitably.

Only in very exceptional circumstances will a late application be considered. You must submit evidence/documentation outlining the reasons beyond your control that prevented you from applying on time, for example, due to hospitalisation or a family emergency.

Please send a detailed request to aegrotats@auckland.ac.nz. All emails will be treated in strict confidence.

If you are pregnant and your due date is close to or during the exams period, you may want to apply to sit your exams under special conditions (pregnant women sometimes need resting time for toilet breaks etc.). For more information, see Special examination conditions.

You may also need to apply for an aegrotat/compassionate consideration if your baby arrives on or just before the examination date. For more information, please visit Aegrotat and compassionate consideration.

Before applying, please check the Eligibility criteria for applying.

Good luck and congratulations!

Each application will show one of the following statuses in your application history:

• Not submitted: Your application has yet to be submitted. Select your application and click on the edit button (located under your Application History) to submit.
• Submitted: Your application has been successfully submitted for assessment.
• Evidence Incomplete: The moderators and Assessment Services will contact you to provide more evidence.
• Under Review: Your application is being assessed.
  Complete: Your application has been assessed, and the outcome sent to your student email.

To check your application, please visit your Application history.

You can only edit or update applications that have either:

• Not been submitted yet
• Informed you that the evidence provided was incomplete

Instructions

• Scroll down to your 'Application History' in your application portal. Click to highlight the application with a status of 'Not Submitted' or 'Evidence Incomplete.'
• An 'Edit' button will appear on the bottom right-hand corner of the screen. Clicking this button will take you through to your application.

Submitted applications

• Suppose you have already submitted an application and wish to apply for an additional exam. In that case, you will need to make a NEW aegrotat/compassionate consideration application online at aegrotat.auckland.ac.nz/apply.
• Each application is reviewed separately based on the evidence provided
• The submission deadline remains seven days (inclusive) from the date of the exam for which you are making an application

You are required to provide supporting evidence for your application only where such evidence can be reasonably obtained.

If you are unable to supply supporting evidence, for example you are not able to get a doctor or counsellor appointment before the application deadline, then you should still submit an application via the online form before the application deadline. 

You must write a personal statement to support your application outlining how your exam was significantly affected by your circumstance. If you are able to obtain evidence later on, you may submit this manually to support your application. However, your application itself must be received before the deadline to be considered.