RACGP Examinations Special Arrangements

1. Introduction

This guidance document provides further information on the application process for special arrangements in the RACGP Assessments and Examinations. It has been developed to support the RACGP Assessments and Examinations Special Arrangements Policy.


2. Definitions

  1. Candidate means a person who is enrolled in and applying for special arrangements in an RACGP Examination
  2. RACGP Assessments and Examinations includes the following:
    1. Applied Knowledge Test (AKT)
    2. Key Feature Problem (KFP)
    3. Clinical Examination, which depending on the time of sitting, is the Objective Structured Clinical Exam (OSCE), Remote Clinical Exam (RCE) or Clinical Competency Exam (CCE)
    4. Candidate Assessment and Applied Knowledge Test (CAAKT
    5. Practice Experience Program Entrance Assessment (PEPEA)


3. Guidance

3.1 Circumstances not generally considered to be grounds for special arrangements

The following are not generally considered grounds for special arrangements:

  1. minor illnesses or medical conditions;
  2. stress which would ordinarily be associated with preparation for or performance in assessments and/or examinations;
  3. stress related to the result of travel arrangements made by the Candidate;
  4. stress such as resulting from relationship difficulties, minor illness or medical condition affecting the individual;
  5. pre-existing illness or medical condition affecting the immediate family member, partner or close relative;
  6. stress relating to excessive work commitments, including specific rostering arrangements leading up to the assessment or examination;
  7. stress relating to excessive educational and/or personal commitments; and
  8. work-related stress such as may be met in the course of normal medical practice.

3.2 Evidence and supporting documentation

Supporting documentation may only be accepted from appropriate professionals, provided that the person issuing or signing the document is not a family member, close associate or colleague of the Candidate, or a candidate in the same assessment or examination.

  1. Applications for special arrangements on medical grounds must be accompanied by a medical certificate on the RACGP template from the treating health practitioner, including the following details:
    • the consultation date;
    • the diagnosis;
    • the severity of the medical condition, including likely duration;
    • the health practitioner’s opinion on the impact of the condition on the Candidate’s performance in an RACGP Assessment or Examination; and
    • the medical practitioner’s opinion on the special arrangements that should be accommodated by the RACGP.
  2. Applications for special arrangements on the basis of pregnancy must be accompanied by an appropriate medical certificate confirming the stage of pregnancy at the date of the assessment or examination.
  3. Applications for special arrangements for nursing mothers must include a statutory declaration detailing the expected date of delivery, or birth date of the child
  4. Applications for special arrangements on religious observance grounds must include a statutory declaration and other evidence, if required, from a religious leader of the Candidate’s congregation advising that a dispensation from religious observance has not been allowed. Please see clause 3.3 below for further information.

Candidates may be required to provide further information or documentation, as requested by the RACGP.

Vocational Training Pathway candidates are encouraged to discuss their application with their Training Organisation, and to submit a letter of support from their Training Organisation as part of their application to the RACGP.

3.3 Applications on religious observance grounds

  1. If the Candidate requires time during an RACGP Assessment or Examination for special prayers or observances, the RACGP may grant breaks during the assessment or examination. Additional exam time will not be granted. The Candidate must provide a statutory declaration from their religious leader, which details the specific times at which the Candidate must pray or otherwise observe their religion.
  2. If the AKT or KFP coincides with a day of religious observance, the RACGP may allow the Candidate to sit the examination on an alternative day. The Candidate must produce a religious observance calendar signed by their religious leader, which identifies the date of the examination as a date on which non-religious activities should be avoided.
    Alternative day sittings are not available for the Clinical Examination, CAAKT or PEPEA.


4. References

RACGP Assessments and Examinations Special Arrangements Policy

RACGP Assessments and Examinations Special Arrangements Medical Certificate

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