Terminology

Subjects vs Courses

A subject is an HSC area of study (eg mathematics). Within that subject there may be a number of courses (eg Mathematics Standard 2, Mathematics Advanced, Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics Extension 2). If a student studies, for example, Mathematics Extension 1, Mathematics Extension 2, English Advanced, English Extension 2 and Biology they will not meet the four subjects requirement because they have only studied three subjects: Mathematics, English and Biology. 

ATAR

ATAR stand for "Australian Tertiary Admission Rank".

From 2025, there will be no distinction between Category A and Category B courses.

ATAR courses are those developed by NESA for which there are formal examinations that yield graded assessments. These courses contribute to your ATAR.

Units

All courses offered for the Higher School Certificate have a unit value.  Subjects may have a value of 1 Unit or 2 Units.  Most courses are 2 Unit.

Each unit involves class time of approximately 2 hours per week (60 hours per year).  In the HSC, each unit has a value of 50 marks.  Hence a 2 Unit course has a value of 100 marks.

The following is a guideline to help you understand the pattern of courses.

2 Unit Course

• This is the basic structure for all courses. It has a value of 100 marks.

Extension Course                                                                                       

• Extension study is available in a number of subjects.  Extension courses build on the content of the 2 Unit course, and carry an additional value of 1 Unit.  Extension courses are available in English, Mathematics, History, Music and some Languages.                                                    

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

• HSC Extension courses in subjects other than English and Mathematics are offered and examined in Year 12 only

1 Unit Course                                                                                  

• 1 unit equals approximately 2 hours of class time each week or 60 hours per year.

• There are several 1 Unit Board Endorsed Courses.  These courses do not count towards an ATAR. 

•  However, there is a 1 unit Board Developed Course – Studies of Religion I which does count towards the ATAR.