HSC Information

To qualify for the HSC, students must study a minimum of 12 units in Year 11 and 10 units in HSC programs. Both Year 11 and HSC studies must include: 

• At least 6 units from NESA Developed Courses including at least 2 units of a NESA Developed Course in English 

• At least three courses of 2 units value or greater 

• At least four subjects (including English) 

• A maximum of 6 units of Science may be included in the Year 11 pattern of study 

• A maximum of 7 units of Science may be included in the Year 12 pattern of study 

How are Specific Courses Organised? 

• All courses offered for the HSC have a unit value. One unit equates to approximately 60 hours per year with a mark value of 50. Most courses offered in Preliminary and HSC programs are 2 units, studied for approximately 120 hours per year and have a value of 100 marks 

• Extension courses build on the content of a 2-unit course and carry an additional one-unit value (50 marks) and mostly commence in Year 12. Extension courses are available in English, Mathematics, History, Music, Science and some Languages 

• English and Mathematics extension courses are available at Preliminary and HSC levels. Students must study the Year 11 extension course (Extension 1) in these subjects before proceeding to the HSC extensions (Extension 2). Extension 2 requires students to work beyond Extension 1 standard 

Preliminary and HSC Study 

Preliminary studies are undertaken in Year 11 for three terms. The HSC studies which follow, begin in Term 4 of that year and continue until the HSC examinations in October/November of the following year. Satisfactory completion of Preliminary courses is required before commencing the corresponding HSC course level. 

Assessment in the Year 11 and HSC Programs 

School developed assessment tasks form an integral part of both Year 11 and HSC programs. Tasks are designed to measure performance outcomes across a wider range of objectives. 

Tasks may include tests, written or oral assignments, practical activities, fieldwork, reports and projects. 

Teachers will inform students of the types of assessment tasks, the importance of the tasks in comparison with others, the mark value for each task, when the task will be given and the due date. 

Assessment in the Year 11 program assesses the knowledge, skills and understanding expected to be learned by students and their levels of achievement in knowledge, skills and understanding. 

How are the marks for the HSC calculated? 

The HSC mark received by each student will be a 50:50 combination of external examination and school-based assessment marks, which are moderated or adjusted using HSC exam results. 

The HSC assesses students against standards of achievement set for each course. Students will benefit from the use of a standards-referenced approach to the HSC as: 

• The marks the students gain in a subject will be aligned with descriptions of what they know, understand and can do 

• Marks will reflect the standards actually achieved by students rather than just indicating a position in a predetermined distribution 

• There will be meaningful and detailed reports with clear descriptions of the different standards of performance 

• Students who meet or exceed the minimum standard of performance expected will receive a mark of 50 or more. 

To be eligible for the award of the HSC you must: 

• Satisfactorily complete the pattern of study required by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) 

• Complete any prescribed practical, oral or project works required for specific courses 

• Complete the assessment requirements for each course 

• Follow the course developed or endorsed by NESA 

• Apply diligence and sustained effort to the set tasks provided in the course by the school 

• Achieve the minimum course outcome 

• Sit for, and make a serious attempt at all assessment tasks and examinations. 

NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) 

In relation to the Higher School Certificate, NESA is responsible for: 

• Developing Preliminary and HSC courses 

• Organising and overseeing the Higher School Certificate examinations and assessments 

• Calculating and recording Higher School Certificate marks and achievements 

• Issuing Higher School Certificates and Records of Achievement to students 

• Giving advice to schools, employers and the public on educational issues and all matters related to the Higher School Certificate.