Sick or something goes wrong during SACE exams: special provisions and derived results (2026)

Getting sick in exam fortnight is the worst, and it happens to real students every year. The SACE Board handles it through special provisions, and for exams that usually means a derived result. The deadlines are short, so here's the whole process in one place. It all comes from the SACE Board's special provisions pages and its information sheets for schools (linked at the bottom).

Step 1: talk to your SACE coordinator

The SACE Board says students should start by speaking with their SACE coordinator. You apply through your school, and for a sudden illness or unforeseen incident you can apply for special provisions at any time. The SACE Board also runs a special provisions line on 1300 322 920 if you or your family have questions.

Step 2: see a doctor or psychologist on the day

This is the step people miss. For illness, you must consult a medical practitioner and/or psychologist on the day of the exam.

• The report (Section 2 of Form 32) should be emailed straight to your SACE coordinator within 3 business days of the consultation.
• It needs to be more detailed than a medical certificate.
• The doctor or health professional must not be related to you.

Step 3: your school applies, fast

Your school submits the request to use a derived result (Form 32) to the SACE Board within 3 business days of your last exam. The SACE Board says applications outside this period will not be considered. Every request needs a clear recommendation from your principal.

If your request isn't granted, you'll be told at the end of the exam period. If it's granted, you'll be told before results are released. You can appeal a decision.

Who can apply?

You may be eligible if you have an illness or impairment, or experience an unforeseen incident beyond your control. The SACE Board's examples include a family death, an accident, or an interruption during an exam. It also mentions misadventure like a car accident or a fire alarm during an exam, and personal circumstances like a death in the family or cultural obligations.

You can request a derived result if you're unable to attend an exam, or if you sit an exam while ill.

What doesn't count

The SACE Board says special provisions don't cover:

• things you could have avoided, like misreading the exam timetable;
• things you chose, like a family holiday;
• unfamiliarity with the English language.

It also lists birthdays, weddings, holidays and watching sports events as not valid grounds.

How a derived result works

A derived result is a calculated score that may be used instead of your actual exam result if your application is approved. It's based on:

• your predicted exam result (from your school);
• how the cohort performed in that exam; and
• your school assessment results.

You receive the higher of your actual or derived result, which is why the SACE Board encourages students to attempt their exams where possible.

The SACE Board doesn't show special provisions on your Record of Achievement or certificate.

If you get sick during the exam

• If you become ill and miss a small part of an exam, you should be given extra time at the end to make up what you missed.
• If you miss a large part or the whole exam because of sickness, misadventure or personal circumstances, your school applies to use a derived result (Form 32).
• If the exam is interrupted by an emergency such as a fire evacuation and can continue, the lost time is made up after the scheduled finish.
• In an e-exam, the SACE Board says no student is disadvantaged if their device stops working: your answers are saved and you can resume on another device with no time lost.

If you're running late

If misadventure makes you late, you may still be admitted with the full exam time if your principal recommends it (a statutory declaration may be needed), on the understanding that your answers may not be accepted by the SACE Board. Contact your school as soon as you can.

Look after yourself

The SACE Board's "Are you OK?" page lists support including Kids Helpline, free and open 24 hours on 1800 55 1800. Our exam-week stress guide has quick things that help in the moment and who to talk to. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000.