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Grades are coming! Here’s the lowdown on when to expect them, what the mystery placeholders mean, and what to do if things didn’t quite go to plan.

Huge shoutout to u/mugg74 on the Unimelb subreddit for his infinite wisdom regarding grades :-)

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When will grades be released?

Mark your calendars: grades should drop by either the end of June or the end of November (Semester 1 and Semester 2, respectively). The actual timing depends on department schedules, not when you sat your exams. Some faculties (cough Law cough) like to keep you guessing and might take an extra week.

What’s this “WAF” on my transcript?

A WAF (Withheld Assessment Finalised) is basically a “TBC.” It’s often used when grades aren’t ready yet (e.g., if you had an extension). However, the most likely reason is that you are being investigated for misconduct (plagiarism, AI, etc.).

• If it’s linked to minor misconduct, you’ll likely need to attend an educative response hearing. Take it as a learning moment, not the end of the world.
• No drama? It’ll disappear once your final grades are sorted.

What does an “MIS” mean?

An MIS (Missing) grade is a placeholder to meet deadlines. Usually, it just means your actual grade hasn’t been uploaded yet.

S grade with 50+?

Congratulations, you passed! 🎉 No special exam needed. If you’ve got one scheduled but don’t want to sit it, submit the Decline Special Exam form and don’t open the exam when it appears. Pro tip: skip it if you’re aiming to graduate this semester; otherwise, you could miss the August ceremonies!

S grade with 49 or below?

Uh-oh - you’re currently failing. Time to gear up for that special exam.

How can I see my exam?

Wait until the date stipulated by your subject coordinator (this will generally be announced in an email or on Canvas), then head here for all the details.

I failed the hurdle but passed overall?!

Two possibilities:

1. The hurdle was scaled down (lucky you).
2. The subject coordinator made an error. If you point it out, they might “fix” it… but that could land you with a 49(NH). Proceed with caution.

What’s the difference between a Special Exam and a Supplementary Exam?

• A Special Exam is granted through special consideration and replaces your original one. Your grade is calculated normally.
• A Supplementary Exam (e.g., FSA) is extra and caps your final mark at 50%. If you fail the supplementary, you get the new (lower) mark, so choose wisely.

I have a Special Exam. Will it be harder?

Not necessarily - it’s just a different exam. However, don’t assume it’ll be scaled the same way. Special exams often attract a different mix of students, so they can vary.

I got a 49(NH) - can I ask for 1 more mark?

Short answer: no. A 49(NH) means you failed a hurdle, even if your raw score is over 50. If it’s an attendance hurdle or something non-exam-related, there’s probably no way to fix it now.

Scaling and Standardisation - what’s the deal?

• Exams are often scaled, but special exams and supplementaries aren’t guaranteed the same treatment.
• Each cohort is different, so results depend on who’s sitting the exam and how everyone performed.

Will my grades change between the release and the official release date?

Very unlikely. Grades might only change if there’s a subject-wide error that needs correcting.