Below are some frequently asked questions. If they do not answer your specific query, please contact your college tutorial office or email eamc@admin.cam.ac.uk
Q. How often are Examination Access and Mitigation Committee meetings scheduled?
The Examination Access and Mitigation Committee meetings are held on a monthly basis. The dates of the meetings can be found here: Dates of meetings | Student Registry (cam.ac.uk)
Q. How are applications to intermit (disregard terms) made?
The Examination Access and Mitigation Committee only considers applications to disregard terms that have been made via the College on the student's behalf. The EAMC regards it as essential that the student should be fully aware of all the documentation being submitted by the College.
Q. How long does the intermission application process take?
Cases for intermission are considered one of two ways:
1. Via Committee consideration at a meeting. The deadline for applications and dates of meetings can be found on the 'dates' page on the left and outcomes are relayed back to Colleges up to 10 days after a meeting. The College is responsible for informing the student of the outcome.
2. Where the case is deemed to be straightforward, such as a first period of intermission, or clear medical evidence, the Secretary can consider applications under delegated authority. In these cases, an outcome would normally be sent back to the College within two working weeks. This may extend during peak periods over the long vacation.
Once there is an outcome from an application, a letter is sent to the College who are responsible for informing the student of the outcome.
Q. How do you return to study if you are intermitting?
An application to resume study must be submitted by your College to the Examination Access and Mitigation Committee by the deadline given in the outcome letter. The deadlines for resume study applications are:
- Academic Year - 24th August
- Calendar Year - 24th November
- Easter Term - 24th March
The guidance notes and application form can be found online here and the EAMC regards it as essential that students should be fully aware of all the documentation being submitted by the College.
Q. How will I be informed of the outcome of an application to intermit or resume study?
Once a decision has been made about an application for intermission or returning to study, an outcome letter will be produced and sent to your College. Your College is responsible for informing you of this outcome, this will not come directly from the Examination Access and Mitigation Committee.
Q. What applications can be considered under delegated authority?
If an application is deemed to be straightforward or there is clear medical evidence, the Secretary of the Examination Access and Mitigation Committee may be able to consider the application under delegated authority. Disregarding terms and resuming study are the only applications delegated authority applies to, all other applications must be considered during an Examination Access and Mitigation Committee meeting.
Q. What type of medical evidence is needed to accompany applications?
Medical evidence should be from a medically qualified practitioner and should include the nature and severity of the illness. It should state how the illness/condition is likely to have affected preparation, performance or academic progress. If available, it should offer a clear diagnosis and where appropriate a treatment plan.
Statements from a College nurse can be considered in the instances of 'routine' illnesses with measurable and visible symptoms.
Supporting letters from relatives or friends, irrespective of whether they are medically qualified, or anecdotal sources of information do not constitute medical evidence and are not acceptable to the Committee.
Evidence should be provided in English - where a translation has been provided this should be carried out by an independent third party and not the student.
Q. Who will my medical evidence be disclosed to?
Strict confidentiality is observed regarding medical evidence. Medical evidence is only disclosed to the medical members of the Examination Access and Mitigation Committee (although it is accepted that this will also be seen by the Secretary to the Examination Access and Mitigation Committee and those administrative staff collating the application). No other members of the Examination Access and Mitigation Committee see this evidence unless the student explicitly asks that they should do so. Students are required to submit a declaration form giving permission for their medical evidence to be disclosed to the medical members of the EAMC.
Q. When should an application for an Examination Allowance be submitted?
Applications for Examination Allowances should be submitted within 3 months from publication of results. They are usually only considered after the examination has finished and the outcome is known. Applications received before the known outcome will not normally be considered and will be returned with instructions to submit a new application once the outcome is known.
Q. Can students apply directly for Examination Allowances?
Yes. Students can submit applications directly for Examination Allowances.
All other applications (disregard terms, resume study, fee remission, coursework/dissertation extensions, illegal combination of papers and conditional allowance of a term) must be submitted by College on behalf of students.
Q. I have submitted an application for an Examination Allowance directly. How will I find out the outcome?
Once a decision has been made about an application, an outcome letter will be produced and sent directly to you. Where an outcome affects the College, for instance they need to support provision of the allowance, the College will also be informed.
Q. Is DDH the same as being Classed?
DDH is Declared to have Deserved Honours.
DDH is not a Classed award and may not be acceptable for some professional qualifications. Students should be aware that if a Class is removed and replaced with a DDH, this may need to be continually explained to prospective employers in the future.
Q. Is it possible to be Classed by disregarding a paper?
The Examination Allowance of 'reconsideration of an original result' would be the correct application to make in this instance. This allowance is available where a student has been Classed or in cases where a student has not met the pass mark. Applications are usually only considered after the examination has finished and the final outcome is known.
It should be noted that in instances where the Class will not change, the Examination Access and Mitigation Committee are unable to act and a technical decline will be issued.
This allowance is not intended to be used for:
- General underperformance for whatever reason
- Medical circumstances that affected the overall examination
- Existing medical conditions for which reasonable adjustments would have alleviated any disadvantage
- Students who are legitimately just below borderline
- Students who have received a mark adjustment due to academic misconduct
Q. My application for reconsideration of an original result has been approved, why does my transcript still have the old mark?
If an application is approved, the mark(s) will not be removed from the transcript - only the overall Classing will change.
The allowance relates to mitigating circumstances, it doesn't negate academic fact, so the enrolment and mark awarded will remain on your permanent academic record and will be displayed on your transcript.
Q. How do I request a review of an EAMC decision?
If you are dissatisfied with an outcome then you may request a review of the EAMC decision - this process is managed by the Office of Student Conduct, Complaints and Appeals. The request for review form should be completed within 14 days of the formal outcome being issued to you. Further information regarding this process can be found here: Reviews of Decisions of University bodies | Student Complaints (cam.ac.uk)