Special consideration for admissions tests

Which circumstances should be reported?

1. Test day clashes with national holidays and faith days: every effort is made to avoid clashes with national holidays and faith days across the world but this is not always possible. Often, candidates find a way to observe their faith day and to take their test however we are aware that on occasions this is not possible, especially when there are restrictions on the use of technology and/or other particular circumstances. Please report these circumstances (as outlined in the section below entitled ‘How to request special consideration before your test’).

2. Personal safety: if travelling to the test centre places your personal safety at risk, for example due to dangerous natural occurrences (e.g. hurricanes, earthquakes, etc.) and/or you would have to enter a conflict zone (e.g. local, regional or national riots or war) to reach the test centre. Please report these circumstances.

3. Moderate or major injury, illness, or other personal circumstances: the following circumstances should be reported, where they significantly inhibit your ability to attend your test booking, and would normally be deemed significant enough to trigger special consideration. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Severe injury or serious physical or mental illness, where this results in hospitalisation and/or significant medical treatment;
• Flare-up of a long-term, severe medical or psychological condition;
• Circumstances relating to immediate family members, for example severe injury or serious physical or mental illness, death or serious and personal trauma. Immediate family would normally include any parent, guardian, sibling, child, spouse, or partner.

4. Public examination clashes: very occasionally, a candidate is expecting to sit a public examination at school or college on the same day and at the same time as taking an Oxford admissions test. Where possible, we would ask that the candidate’s school supports the candidate to put in place the necessary quarantine arrangements so that the candidate can take both their public examination and their Oxford admissions test. However, it is recognised that there may be occasions when this is not practical.

Supporting evidence is normally required, where the circumstances relate to personal safety, exam clashes or injury/illness, in order for special consideration to be permitted. For example, evidence from your GP, a medical professional or in certain circumstances a family member or member of school/college staff such as your year head/UCAS coordinator/head teacher or principal (on school or college letterheaded paper or from an official school/college email address). Supporting evidence is not required where the circumstances relate to a faith day.

Which circumstances should not be reported?

The relevant circumstances must be outside of your control and must be related directly to the timing of the test booking. If a candidate is on holiday or unable to attend the test centre on time as a result of other circumstances such as school trip, these circumstances will not normally be accepted for special consideration.

Minor illness/injury or minor personal circumstances: these circumstances should not be reported and would not be deemed significant enough to trigger special consideration. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Common colds, coughs, headaches or minor infections;
• Hay fever and other minor allergic reactions;
• Physical injury where this does not significantly inhibit your ability to take the test, for example cuts, sprains and strains;
• Normal stress relating to examinations and tests;
• General personal or home/family problems.

How to request special consideration for circumstances before your test

Should you encounter any of the relevant circumstances (i.e. those outlined in the section above entitled ‘Which circumstances should be reported?’) before sitting the test, this should be communicated via your Oxford Admissions Test account as soon as possible, with explanation of the circumstances and supporting evidence provided (where this is applicable).

If these circumstances are not reported before taking the test it will not normally be possible for them to be taken into consideration.

How to request special consideration for circumstances during your test

Should you encounter any of the relevant circumstances (i.e. those outlined in the section above entitled ‘Which circumstances should be reported?’) from the time at which you enter the test centre or immediately before your test booking, this should be reported via your Oxford Admissions Test account within 48 hours of your scheduled test, with explanation of the circumstances. Supporting evidence should be provided (where this is applicable) as soon as possible, however it is understood that this may not be possible within 48 hours and so the evidence can be provided within four working days of the test date if necessary.

If the circumstances are not reported within 48 hours of your scheduled test it will not normally be possible for these to be taken into consideration.

How Oxford will consider your request for special consideration

When there is no test score: where a candidate reports special circumstances (with supporting evidence where required) and this means they are not able to attend their test booking, their Oxford application will then be considered without a test score.

Every year there are some candidates who, through no fault of their own, are unable to take their admissions test on the scheduled date. In such instances, we have a well-established process for special consideration which carefully ensures that an applicant is neither advantaged nor disadvantaged by not having a test score. The strength of a candidate’s application is considered on the basis of the available evidence. If this suggests that, had the candidate achieved a reasonable test score, they would have been shortlisted, then it is recommended that they should be called to interview. If the available information about the candidate is insufficient to make a valid decision not to interview, similarly the applicant should be called to interview.

When there is a test score and you feel that your performance has been affected by special circumstances: where a candidate reports the relevant special circumstances, with supporting evidence, which demonstrate that their test performance may have been significantly inhibited, a flag will normally be added to their results record.

This flag will state the severity of the reported circumstances and will provide additional details. Oxford retains discretion to take account of these circumstances as appropriate, as part of Oxford’s admissions processes and decision-making procedures. Where there are test results, these will not be adjusted as a result of applying for special consideration.