May 11th, 2009
Exam contingencies for swine flu epidemic
The swine flu (H1N1 hereon in) epidemic has gradually petered out and levelled off, but still more and more cases are being discovered every day. Over 4,700 cases have been confirmed, spreading over every continent of the world except Africa (thankfully, because let’s be honest, it would be a biological massacre) and Antarctica.
Exam time is upon the vast majority of students, with some already completing most of theirs already. Personally, I struggle to worry about exams for the reason being they are a way for me to express my level of intellect to the appropriate body over anything else. I wouldn’t walk into an exam aiming to answer everything correctly, rather answer the questions which appeal to me and demonstrate an accurate portrayal of the knowledge I hold.
With schools in the United States and the United Kingdom being closed, exam readiness is worrying both students and staff. Ofqual, the exam regulatory body for the United Kingdom, are amassing contingency plans which would ensure “fairness to all students”.
As of now, special considerations are offered to students who are suffering from ailments which may prevent an accurate representation of one’s intelligence during an exam. With accidents and emergencies affecting a certain number of students taking exams, from broken legs to full-out strokes, even on rare occasions, considerations are made to ensure the outcome of the results are as accurate as possible.
In such a case at my university, a close friend who died suddenly last August, will be given a posthumous honourary degree in achievement of her high grades during her first year.
Whilst no wider plans have been confirmed, and cancelling examinations is almost an impossibility, despite local rumour and much to the individual students’ displeasure, exams are still likely to go ahead as planned.
Has swine flu had an effect on your revision or exams? Have you been given exam special consideration before? Leave a TalkBack.
Zack Whittaker, the youngest in the ZDNet network, is a British student at the University of Kent, Canterbury, where he studies BA (Hons) Criminology and Social Policy. His insight into the next-generation is unique and first-hand, sharing his knowledge of the here and now but more so what's next and how to get there.
You can read his public biography and his work disclosures of his current and past industry affiliations.
Fire off an email if you feel like sharing a story or insight, or leave a voicemail. You can also follow him on Twitter to keep up to date with his ramblings.
Subscribe to iGeneration via Email alerts or RSS.
