If you are not satisfied with the decision made in connection with a final exam, or if you are not satisfied with conditions during the examination, you may make a complaint.
The rules for making examination complaints are found in the examination order.
Here is an overview:
First, address your complaint to the head of the Language Education Center
You must first complain to the head of the Language Education Center that held the exam. Your complaint must be in writing.
There is a deadline of four weeks:
- If you wish to complain about the examination conditions, you must make your complaint no later than four weeks after the examination
- If you wish to complain about the grading of your exam, you must make your complaint no later than four weeks after you are notified about the decision or the grade given.
You are entitled to, without charge, receive a copy of your written exam answer and of the examination basis for oral exams.
After you have made your complaint
The head of the Language Education Center will ask for statements from the internal and external examiners. They will normally be given two weeks to make their statements.
You will then be given the opportunity to comment on the statements from the internal and external examiners. You will normally be given one week to make your comment.
The head of the Language Education Center will determine if your complaint is rejected, or if you are offered a new examination. The head can also decide to pass on the case to the Ministry of Education.
The head must pass on the case to the Ministry, where:
- significant procedural deficiencies were present during the examination or grading processes; or
- other special circumstances apply, which give rise to legitimate doubts over the grading.
The Ministry may reject the complaint or offer you one of a re-grading or a re-examination.
You can appeal to the Ministry
If you are not satisfied with the decision made by the head of the Language Education Center in your complaint case, you can appeal that decision to the Ministry of Immigration and Integration. You must appeal within four weeks of being notified of the decision.
The appeal must be in writing, and it must be sent through the head. The Ministry will also receive a statement by the head. You will be given the opportunity to comment on the head’s statement.
The Ministry may reject your appeal or decide that a re-grading must be made, or that you must be offered a re-examination.
