My Department is not aware of any case where it was not possible to process an appeal application. The special arrangements appeals committee is prepared to consider appeals right up to the commencement of the examinations.
Applications for special arrangements on behalf of a candidate at the certificate examinations are invited well in advance of the actual examinations, usually one year in advance. This is for the express purpose of providing time for the processing of the applications, conducting any assessment procedures deemed necessary and affording time for appeal.
While a deadline exists for receipt of applications my Department is not inflexible and accepts late applications if circumstances warrant. This can, however, give rise to notification of outcome quite late in the school year. The alternative is to refuse to accept late applications. I believe that would be unfair in situations for example where students' learning difficulties may have only recently been discovered or where, through no fault of the student, there was a failure to make an application to the Department on time.
My Department will continue to make every effort to determine cases as quickly as possible.
