Part A Mathematics and Philosophy Examination Conventions 2025-26

9. Alternative Examination Arrangements and Mitigating Circumstances Notices to Examiners

A candidate in any University Examination with specific learning difficulties or disability/illness may apply through the Senior Tutor of their college for alternative examination arrangements relating to their condition.  Please see http://www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/arrangements for further information on the process.

Candidates who would like the examiners to be aware of any mitigating circumstances that may have affected their performance before or during an examination are advised to discuss their circumstances with their college and consult the Examination Regulations (Part 13). The candidate's college will submit the Mitigating Circumstances Notice to Examiners for forwarding to the relevant chair of examiners.

Where a candidate or candidates have made a submission, under Part 13 of the Examination Regulations, that unforeseen circumstances may have had an impact on their performance in an examination, a subset of the board will meet to discuss the individual applications and band the seriousness of each application on a scale of 1--3 with 1 indicating minor impact, 2 indicating moderate impact, and 3 indicating very serious impact.  When reaching this decision, examiners will take into consideration the severity and relevance of the circumstances, and the strength of the evidence.  Examiners will also note whether all or a subset of papers were affected, being aware that it is possible for circumstances to have different levels of impact on different papers. The banding information will be used at the final board of examiners to adjudicate on the merits of candidates.  Further information on the procedure is provided in the Examinations and Assessment Framework and information for students is provided at www.ox.ac.uk/students/academic/exams/guidance.