Grade Appeals
What are my options if I have failed an exam?
If you are unhappy with your final grade because you think the results are unfair, you can take the following action:
1. Request to have the exam script returned and go over this by yourself and/or with your lecturer
This option is the best starting point as it is good for you to gauge whether you have answered questions wrong or whether you feel the marking is unfair.
To have your exam script returned, complete a “Request for Exam Script” form (click here, or pick up a hard copy from Student Central), and submit it to Student Central. There is no cost to request an exam script. You can then request to go through your exam script with your lecturer.
2. Request to have your exam marks recounted
If you believe you have identified an error in the calculation of the marks in your exam script, you can apply to have your exam script recounted at a cost of $24.75 (incl GST). The lecturer will check the marking has been added up and correctly calculated. If you would like to apply for a recount on a recent exam script, please complete the “Request for Recount” form (click here, or pick up a hard copy from Student Central) and submit it to Student Central with payment.
Note - This is not a re-marking of your exam script; it is a recount of the marks. You must apply for a recount within 15 days of receiving your result notification.
3. If, after going through your exam script, you still feel the results are unfair, you can book an appointment with a Student Issues Advocate to discuss the possibility of applying to appeal the final grade, or applying for a restricted pass grade
To make an appointment with a Student Issues Advocate:
Email: studentadvocate@unitec.ac.nz
Call: 815 4321 ext 7386
Appealing a final grade
Note – you may only appeal your final grade within 15 working days of the mailing of the results of your final grade.
Note – You may only appeal your final grade on the following two grounds:
a) that additional information has become available which was not available and could not reasonably have been made available at the time the original decision was made; or
b) that there was a material irregularity in the conduct of Summative Assessment on the Course or in the procedures of the Programme(s) Committee or the Faculty Academic Committee.
A material irregularity is broadly defined and means anything that is unfair. Examples include:
- erroneous or incorrect information from Unitec about assessment requirements
- staff have not followed policy
Please note that you cannot contest academic judgement
Applying for a restricted pass
Note – A restricted pass may be awarded if you have narrowly failed and the Programme Committee considers that the marginal failure is compensated by good overall performance.
The Student Issues Advocates can help you along every step of the way.
To make an appointment with a Student Issues Advocate:
Email: studentadvocate@unitec.ac.nz
Call: 815 4321 ext 7386