Contingency planning for the sudden illness of candidates and invigilators

You can go directly to the relevant section on the page via the links below:

• The general upper secondary school’s preparedness for the matriculation examination
• If a candidate falls ill
• If the general upper secondary school has difficulties arranging the test
• Instructions for a candidate who cannot attend the test due to illness or another reason

The general upper secondary school’s preparedness for the matriculation examination

According to legislation and guidelines, the principal has decision-making authority over the practical arrangements of the examination, including, for example, the allocation of candidates to different rooms. During the examination, a large proportion of the premises are used for the examination and teachers serve as invigilators; this must be taken into account in preparedness planning.

The general upper secondary school should consider at least the following questions:

• How should situations be handled if a candidate or several candidates fall ill before the test? How should situations be handled if a candidate falls ill during the test?
• What should be done if some invigilators are unavailable? Can additional invigilators be obtained?
• What should be done if the principal or another key person for organising the examination is unavailable?
• What should be done if some premises are unavailable? Can alternative premises be obtained?
• How can operations be reorganised if necessary? Can candidates be allocated differently?
• Is it possible, if necessary, to transfer candidates to other general upper secondary schools in the area? How can the school, if necessary, admit candidates from other schools?

If problems arise in arranging the tests, the general upper secondary school must contact the Board. The Board has several means at its disposal to support the organisation of the tests both before the examination day and during the examination day.

If a candidate falls ill

Candidates taking the matriculation examination can reduce their exposure to infectious diseases by maintaining good hygiene and limiting contacts before the tests.

If necessary, the principal may seek input from healthcare services or the student welfare services of the general upper secondary school, such as the school nurse or doctor, to assess the situation of a candidate who has fallen ill. General upper secondary schools have very limited possibilities to provide different types of accommodations.

If it is not possible to sit the test, the principal will clarify the situation to the candidate and instruct them to apply for the cancellation of their enrolment or to consider other possible options.

If a candidate falls ill during the test, their test may be suspended while the situation is assessed. If the candidate cannot continue the test, they will end their test or, if necessary, the invigilator will ensure that the test is ended. If the candidate continues the test after the interruption, the time lost due to the interruption will be compensated.

If a general upper secondary school has difficulties arranging the test

If problems arise in the arrangements for the tests, the school must contact the Board as soon as possible. The Board has several means at its disposal to support the organisation of the tests both before the examination day and during the examination day.

For compelling reasons, the general upper secondary school may appoint disqualified teachers or a disqualified principal as invigilators, as well as reliable persons who do not have experience of the digital test. The number of invigilators may also be temporarily reduced, provided that additional invigilators can be easily called in if needed. The compelling reason, the deviation made, and the safeguards used to ensure the quality of invigilation, the confidentiality of the test, and the prevention of cheating must be recorded in the test record. Situations caused by compelling reasons must be reported to the examination helpline.

The use of recording cameras in test supervision is described in subchapter 2.3.5 of the General Regulations. The decision on camera surveillance is made by the principal of the general upper secondary school.