About the glossary

The purpose behind the glossary is to help students prepare better for the HSC by showing them that certain key words are used similarly in examination questions across different subjects.

Using the glossary in the classroom

Teachers can use this glossary to help students comprehend what an exam question requires.

Understanding that key words have the same meaning across subjects can help students to approach exam questions effectively.

For instance, students can enhance their responses to 'explain' questions by knowing that in different subjects, 'explain' may require them to:

• show a cause and effect

• make the relationships between things evident

• provide why and/or how.

Key words are best discussed with students within the context of the questions and tasks they are working on, rather than in isolation. It is crucial to avoid rigid interpretations of key words.

When using key words to formulate questions, tasks, and marking guidelines, it is helpful to consider what a particular term in a question demands from students in terms of their response.

Subject-specific interpretations

Teachers must ensure that they do not use these key words in a manner that contradicts their specific meanings within subjects. For example, terms like 'evaluate' require distinct responses in Maths compared to History. Students should be aware of each subjects unique requirements.

Self-explanatory terms in exam questions

It is important to note that the HSC exam questions will continue to incorporate self-explanatory terms like 'how,' 'why,' or 'to what extent.' While key words have a purpose, other subject-based questions will be used in the HSC exam questions.

Click the button below to access the NESA HSC Verbs Glossary

HSC past papers are useful for students to: 

• understand the expectations they should set with HSC exams

• practise their exam skills including timed responses, length and quality of responses etc

• understand the patterns that occur in their subjects' exam questions 

Click the button below to access the NESA HSC Past Papers website. Please note the exam holds the questions only. The marking criteria link provides information on how answers were marked. 

Students who have questions about past papers and/or the marking criteria should speak with their classroom teacher or faculty head teacher. Contacts are available here