Student Sues School over 99.95 HSC Mark – Lessons for Schools and Students

Summary - Student lost legal case involving discrimination in sitting for her exams and ordered to pay costs.

Facts

Ms Wong achieved fifth place in the state in her HSC chemistry exam when she sat that exam one year early, while still a year 11 student. Upon the completion of year 12 she obtained a university entry rank of 99.95 and gained entry into a combined Science and Medicine degree at the University of Sydney.

So why were complaints and legal proceedings brought by Ms Wong against her school and the Board of Studies?

Ms Wong alleged she had been discriminated against on the ground of disability, that reasonable accommodation had not been provided and that had such accommodation been provided, she would have achieved higher marks than what she achieved.