Extra assistance and alternative arrangements , Āwhina atu anō, huarahi atu anō

We may be able to give you extra support to sit your exams if you've been injured, you have an impairment, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. Learn what help you can get and how to apply.

We want to make sure exams are fair for every Massey student. If you have a condition that is likely to impact your performance in exams we may be able to give you extra help or make special arrangements to support you. This is called having 'alternative arrangements'.

The type of support we can give you depends on your reasons for applying. Alternative arrangements might include:

  • a scribe (writer) or reader to help you
  • extra time for resting, writing or typing
  • extra time (10 minutes for each hour of the exam) to breastfeed your baby.

Who can apply

You can apply for alternative exam arrangements if:

  • you have an injury, impairment or disability
  • you're breastfeeding a young baby up to the age of 12 months.

If you miss an exam because you're giving birth or because your baby arrives early, you don't need alternative arrangements. Instead, you should apply for an aegrotat, so we take your circumstances into account when we calculate your course grade.

Find out how to apply for an aegrotat

Apply for alternative arrangements

Deadlines for applying for alternative arrangements and special assistance

You will need to apply for alternative arrangements and special assistance before our deadlines each semester if it is possible to do so.

  • Summer School 2023: 10 January 2024
  • Semester One 2024: 1 May 2024
  • Semester Two 2024: 18 September 2024
  • Summer School 2024: 8 January 2025

If you get injured or ill or something in your life becomes very complex after our deadlines, contact Assessment Services at exams@massey.ac.nz as soon as possible. We'll make alternative arrangements for you if we can.

How to apply

To apply both pages of the Alternative Examination Arrangements Application Form below need to be completed. Please complete the first page of the form yourself. The Alternative Arrangements Medical Support Form (second page) needs to be completed by your doctor, midwife or other registered health professional. Email the completed form to exams@massey.ac.nz.

Be aware that:

  • your doctor or health professional can send us extra information in a separate letter – but they still need to fill out the form
  • we can't accept ACC forms as evidence that you need extra assistance
  • we might contact you or your health professional for more information after you submit the form.

You still need to send us the form, even if you have:

  • had alternative exam arrangements at school or another university
  • registered with Disability Services at Massey.

Cognitive and learning impairment evidence

You need to send us a full cognitive and education assessment from your Clinical or Educational Psychologist, or another qualified specialist if you have a cognitive impairment.

This assessment:

  • should be submitted with the Alternative Arrangements Medical Support Form, not instead of it
  • needs to be less than four years old.

When you'll find out if your application has been successful

We'll let you know whether we can make alternative arrangements for you well before your exam period begins.

  • Semesters One and Two: about four weeks before exams.
  • Summer School: about two weeks before exams.

Duration of arrangements

Permanent conditions

Your alternative arrangements will last for all your time at Massey if your condition is permanent. You won't need to fill out a new form each semester.

We won't make alternative arrangements for mid-semester tests unless we hear from you – if you need them, let us know as soon as you can.

Temporary conditions

If you have a temporary condition, you need to send us a new Alternative Arrangements Medical Support Form every semester. Temporary conditions include:

  • breastfeeding a young baby up to the age of 12 months
  • injuries
  • illnesses or impairments that can change over time, like anxiety or repetitive strain injury.

International students' alternative arrangements

If you're an international student, you will need to cover the costs of alternative exam arrangements.

A reader/writer supervisor session for a three-hour exam costs $80.

Mid-semester tests

To get alternative arrangements for mid-semester tests, you need to:

  • have an impairment or injury – we don't usually make alternative arrangements for students who are breastfeeding for mid-semester tests
  • let us know at least two weeks before your tests.

If your courses have mid-semester tests, let us know as soon as you can. Even if you usually have alternative arrangements for exams, we won't automatically make alternative arrangements for your mid-semester tests.

If you're not sure if your courses have mid-semester tests, ask your course coordinator at the start of the semester. Let your coordinator know if you need alternative arrangements.

How to apply

Students with impairments

You need to register with Disability Services to get alternative arrangements for mid-semester tests.

Contact Disability Services

Students with injuries

If you have an injury that makes it harder for you to sit your tests, we need a medical certificate.

Contacts for mid-semester test arrangements

Contact the right office at your Massey campus to discuss alternative arrangements for mid-semester tests.

Auckland campus – Disability Services

Location

Disability Services is located on level three of the Campus Library.

Palmerston North – Assessment Services

Wellington campus – Disability Services

Location

Disability Services is located on the ground floor of the Campus Library.