The syllabuses for subjects in Stage 6 (Years 11 and 12) consist of two parts. Each 2 unit subject consists of a Preliminary Course, which must be completed satisfactorily before the HSC Course is commenced. The HSC examination and assessment are generally related only to the work covered in the HSC Course, with the exception of Mathematics and VET. However, the Preliminary Course work forms the foundation for success in the HSC Year.
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 course each unit has a value of 50 marks. Hence a 2 unit course has a value of 100 marks.
2 units = 4 hours per week (120 hours per year)
= 100 marks
This is the basic structure for all courses. It has a value of 100 marks.
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, requiring students to work beyond the standard of the 2 unit course. Extension Courses are available in English, Mathematics, History and Science.
English and Mathematics Extension Courses are available at Preliminary and HSC levels. Students must study the Preliminary Extension Courses 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 may be offered and examined in Year 12 only.
1 unit equals approximately 2 hours of class time each week or 60 hours per year.
Religion: Studies of Religion I is a 1 unit course which is studied over two years.