Minimum Standards
NAPLAN HSC
The requirements to meet the HSC minimum standard have been simplified from this year. Students need to pass an online Reading, Writing and Numeracy test of everyday Reading, Writing and Mathematics skills to show they meet the minimum standard of literacy and numeracy required to receive the HSC. The minimum standard online tests are based on the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) with students' results reported as a level of achievement from 1-4.
The test achievement level descriptions describe the skills needed for each of the four levels. Level 3 skills indicate a nationally agreed level of functional literacy and numeracy.
Minimum Standard Reading and Mathematics Tests:
45 multiple choice questions
Adaptive — meaning it tailors to a student's ability. Questions become harder or easier depending on whether a student is answering questions correctly or incorrectly.
Marked electronically according to the achievement level descriptions
Minimum Standard Writing Test
One question based on a visual or text prompt with up to a 500 word-response
Marked by trained markers according to the achievement level descriptions and the following, equally weighted, criteria: relevance of writing to the topic; structure and sequence of ideas and control of language
To get help on understanding these tests, go to: http://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/11-12/hsc/hsc-minimum-standard/online-tests/what-to-expect-in-the-tests
Students are required to achieve at least Level 3 in each of the three online tests to meet the HSC minimum standard.