Problems completing your assessment

What do you do if you are unable to complete an assessment.

If you are experiencing difficult personal circumstances you should in the first instance contact your Module or Programme Leader. Generally, tutors will try to deal with personal difficulties by granting individual extensions to coursework deadlines or by setting alternative assessments. You can apply to your module leader for an extension by completing the Personal Circumstances Form via My LJMU.

The personal circumstances procedures only apply when something serious and unexpected happens, for example:

• If you are taken ill just before or during an exam
• If you are involved in an accident or serious incident that prevents you attending the University just before an exam or assignment deadline
• If you experience a bereavement or family illness that prevents you attending the University just before an exam or assignment deadline

Personal Circumstances and Special Mitigation procedures are not intended to deal with issues of long-term illness or disability; the University offers specialised support for students in these circumstances. That’s why you are advised to contact the Student Advice and Wellbeing team, your Programme or Module Leaders or Personal Tutor well in advance of any deadlines so that the University can put appropriate support strategies in place for you.

You will not be able to apply for personal circumstances or special mitigation, if you:

• Sleep in and miss your exam
• Turn up at the wrong time or venue for an exam
• Miss a submission deadline because you didn’t manage your study time properly
• Have a cold or other minor illness

Please note that if you start a time-limited summative assessment task such as an exam or presentation, or submit a piece of coursework, you declare yourself ‘fit to attempt’ that assessment task and claims for personal circumstances are not permitted of that assessment task. However, if your performance in an assessment task, such as an exam, was adversely and seriously affected by circumstances that occurred during the assessment to such an extent that the assessment item could not be completed you may submit a claim for ‘special mitigation’.

You can view the Personal Circumstances Policy here and apply for Personal Circumstances and Special Mitigation using the relevant forms via My LJMU.

If you are experiencing difficulties completing assessments, advice and guidance is available from the Student Advice and Wellbeing Team.