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Illness or valid absence from exam

If you are unable to sit your exam or other forms of assessment due to illness or other special personal circumstances, you will need to apply for valid absence from your exam.

The application form Registration of valid absence and the doctors certificate or other documentation must be submitted within five days of the exam in question. 

You can apply for valid absence from an exams or assessments such as tests, assignments etc. where a independently/separate character is given. If the absence concerns something else, please read more in the section below about absence from another type of assessment.

What happens if your application for valid absence from an exam or assessment is approved:

  • you will not use one of your attempts to pass the course.
  • you will not pass the course/don't get a grade, but can sign up for a new exam (konte) if this is offered or you have to take the course again the next time it is arranged.
  • Absence related to portfolio assessment or compulsory activities - not independently weighted assessment

    If you are absent from portfolio related work, tests or absent from compulsory activities etc. you must contact the course responsible directly. You should not submit the application form for valid absence. The reason for this is that if a valid absence is registered you will not receive a grade in the course.

    Please contact the course responsible or study supervisor if your absence concerns:

    • deferred submission deadline
    • work or test that is part of a portfolio assessment, i.e. that the work is not given a separate independent grade.
    • unable to attend an outing
    • compulsory attendance/work/teaching
    • other
  • Certificate issued by a professional

    The doctor's certificate must be submitted with the electronic form for application for valid absence.

    Alternatively, the medical certificate can be sent per post, it must then be postmarked no later than five (5) business days after the date for the exam in question and must be sent to Arkivet NMBU, Postboks 5003, 1432 Ås.

    The certificate must must contain the following:

    • Date/time of your absence
    • What exam/course, with course code, the certificate applies to
    • The certificate must state that you were too sick to attend your exam
    • The certificate must be signed and stamped by the doctor or other medical professional

    Documentation from HelseNorge etc

    If you receive digital documentation for your absence the document must confirm that it is from HelseNorge or similar. We will contact you if we have questions. In some cases, you may be asked to have a digitally sent document signed and stamped. Please contact eksamen@nmbu.no should you have any questions regarding documentation.

    Re-examination

    If you submit valid documentation/certificate you may be entitled to a re-examination if this applies to the exam in question. If you submit valid documentation/certificate the examination and/or assessment in question will not be counted as an attempted examination. 

    Submitted certificate prior to the exam

    Please note. If you submit a certificate prior to your exam but still sit your exam, the certificate will not be valid. If you sit your exam the result from that exam overrule the certificate, no matter the mark on the exam. Even if you fail the exam, gets a low grade or submit a blank answer the certificate will not be valid.

    NB: Please note that a submitted answer cannot be withdrawn from marking even if a medical certificate or self-certification is submitted after the examination.

  • Suddenly illness during your written exam at campus

    If you become suddenly ill during your written exam and have to leave before you have finished your examination answer the following applies:

    • Inform the examination guards about your illness.
    • The examination guards will ask you to fill in the form Sudden illness during exam, you must complete the and submit uit to the guards BEFORE you leave the venue.
    • Remember to check the box indicating whether you want your answer paper to be graded or if you want to submit a blank paper/withdraw from the exam. Read more about the differences below.
    • The examination guards will submit the form to the examination office

    Submit your exam answer

    • If you like to submit you exam answer for grading you may do so. The marking will be the result for that exam and you use on of three attempts to pass the exam.
    • Please note: If you submit a medical certificate after your exam, the certificate will not be valid. The result for that exam will overrule the certificate, no matter the grade. 
    • If you fail the exam you may register for re-examination (konte) if such an exam is offered for the course.

    Submit a blank exam answer/withdraw from the exam

    Exam on paper

    • If you want to submit a blank exam answer/withdraw from the exam you must complete the white and yellow cover sheet only.
    • You will be registered as having attended the exam, with a result of fail (F), and you will have used one of your three attempts to pass the course. You can register for a re-exam (konte) if such an exam is offered in the course.
    • You can submit a medical certificate within five (5) days, see more information below.

    WISEflow exam

    • If you want to submit a blank exam answer/withdraw from a WISEflow (digital) exam a technical guard will assist you.
    • You will be registered as having attended the exam, with a result of fail (F), and you will have used one of your three attempts to pass the course. You can register for a re-exam (konte) if such an exam is offered in the course.
    • You can submit a medical certificate within five (5) days, see more information below.

    Submit a medical certificate

    Remember! A valid medical certificate must be submitted within five (5) days of the exam in question and contain the following:

    • Date/time of your absence
    • What exam/course, with course code, the certificate applies to
    • The certificate must state that you became suddenly ill during your exam
    • The certificate must be signed and stamped by the doctor or another medical professional

    A valid medical certificate must be submitted with the application form Registration of valid absence or sent by post to Arkivet NMBU, Postboks 5003, 1432 Ås.

    If you submit a valid medical certificate you will be registered with a valid reason for absence for the exam in question, the exam will not be counted as an attempt of examination, and you may register for re-examination (konte) if such an exam is offered for the course.