Major public examinations like the Higher School Certificate exams and the School Certificate tests always involve contingency plans in the event of disruptions.

The Board of Studies NSW is experienced in handling cases where students' performances in exams are affected by an illness or misadventure, including floods, fires or illnesses such as human swine flu.

By the time students commence their HSC exams in October 2009, 50 per cent of their marks will have been completed and recorded as their school assessment.

The school assessment provides the Board with an indicator for cases where students suffer illness or misadventure during or just prior to the exams.

The Board has already provided advice to schools on dealing with cases where students' school assessment tasks are disrupted as a result of human swine flu.

Read HSC assesments and swine flu

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