C.D-T., CSC Docket No. 2019-3172

BackgroundC.D-T. requests to retake the promotional examination for Forensic Scientist 2, Law and Public Safety (PS7480P), State Police.

By way of background, 52 employees applied for the subject examination and all were deemed eligible. The examination was administered on April 4, 2019. C.D- T. indicates that while taking the examination, she experienced a medical condition that was unknown to her which interfered with her ability to clearly read the computer, the test booklet, and the clock. This led to her skipping questions and only completing half the test before time ran out. She attaches a doctor’s note, dated April 30, 2019, which describes the medical condition and the steps that she will undergo to recover from the medical condition. C.D-T. requests to retake the examination after her medical condition is resolved, which she estimates will take two weeks.

CONCLUSION

RuleN.J.A.C. 4A:4-2.9(a)2 provides in pertinent part that make-up examinations may be authorized for serious illness or disability of the candidate on the test date, provided that the candidate submits a doctor’s certificate specifying that the candidate was not able to take the test on that day for medical reasons.

AnalysisIn this matter, a review of the record indicates that the appellant participated in the examination. Further, she indicates that she did not tell the proctor that she was experiencing issues. Instead, several days after the examination was administered, the appellant contacted this agency and requested to retake the examination. As such, in fairness to other candidates, the appellant is precluded from taking the same examination again as she already took the examination and was provided with an opportunity for review of the examination and scoring key. In other words, make-up examinations are for candidates who do not take the examination when they are originally administered. See In the Matter of Zelva Hannibal (MSB, decided December 17, 2003), aff’d on reconsideration (MSB, decided May 5, 2004). Further, while it is unfortunate that the appellant had medical issues while taking the examination, absent medical documentation indicating that the condition precluded the appellant from participating on that date, there is no remedy that the Civil Service Commission can provide.

ORDER

Therefore, it is ordered that this request be denied.

ClosingThis is the final administrative determination in this matter. Any further review should be pursued in a judicial forum.