Sick - what now? Important information aboout being unable totake an exam
Sometimes it happens at exactly the wrong time: you fall ill on the day of your exam. If you are ill and therefore unable to take an exam, you must provide proper proof of your inability to take the exam so that you are not disadvantaged. Here we briefly explain how to follow the correct procedure and which form you need.
The most important information first: a normal sick note (German “Arbeitsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung”, certificate of in capacity for work) is not sufficient!
Why not? The certificate of incapacity for work only certified that you are unable to work - it does not say anything about whether you are fit to take the exam or not. Incapacity to take an exam is a legal term. The exmanination board diceides whether it is recognised - and this requires a special medical assessment.
Here`s what to do:
- Download the form ‘Medical certificae of inability to take examinations’ (German “Prüfungsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung”) from the university websebsite (form center).
- Fill out the first part of the form yourself.
- Take it to your doctor and have them fill out the second part completely.
- Submit the complete certificate to the examniation office immediatly, at lthe latest within hree days after the examniations date. The examination day counts as the first working day. (Saturdays also count as working days.)
Using the university's own form ensures that the examination board receives an uniform, comprehensible and legally valid for assessment and can recognise your inability to take the examination if necessary. Proof of inability to take the examination can also be provided informally, provided that the points listed in the form are included.
Good to know: With the ‘Certificate of inability to take a examination’ ("Prüfungsunfähigkeitsbescheinigung”) you protect yourself from having a missed examination counted as a ‘fail’. Corrrect proof of your inability to take a examination means that your right to a second attempt, also called as a resit date, is retained.
Important: In the case of a chronic or long-term illness, it is generally not possible to withdraw from examinations, as in these cases the appropriate compensatory measure is known as disadvantage compensation ("Nachteilsausgleich"). Therefore, the duration of the illness must be specifically stated in the certification of inability to take a examination, which must be completed by a doctor.
Legal basis: The regulations on withdrawal from examinations and proof of inability to take an examination are set out in Section 17 of the Framework Examination ans Study Regulations (RPSO) of the University of Music FRANZ LISZT Weimar (regulation on ‘Absence, withdrawal, deception and breach of regulation’).
