The essentials for tackling the HSC

Whether you choose to pursue higher education, vocational training, or dive straight into the workforce, remember that you are in control of your abundant potential and the possibilities are endless.

I want to thank the teachers, support staff and principals throughout the state who have brought you to this point. It is the passion, expertise and quality of our teachers and educators who ensure HSC students leave school with the knowledge, skills and drive to be anything they choose.

To the tens of thousands of parents, carers, families and friends who support our students through the HSC and final year of school, I know this can be a challenging time for you also, as you encourage the best for your young people.

In this guide, ReachOut has some really practical tips for HSC students and their families. I encourage you to read more and have constructive conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

To the HSC Class of 2024, I extend my heartfelt wishes for success and fulfillment in all of your endeavours.

Welcome to the 2024 HSC Study Guide

As the exams draw closer, I want to assure you that the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA), as well as your teachers and schools, are here to support you to do your very best in the HSC.

NESA is committed to making sure there are accessible resources to help you feel well-prepared, including this guide and a range of materials available on our website.

Produced with The Sydney Morning Herald, this guide is a gateway to valuable information – stories, tools and other resources – developed to motivate and inspire as you prepare to do your best in exams.

Some famous faces have joined together with some impressive recent graduates to share their stories, tips and post-school triumphs, while the state’s HSC exam markers, all experienced teachers themselves, share their dos and don’ts.

Each section has been curated to help you navigate this final part of your school journey. Get exam-day ready by testing your knowledge with the multiple-choice quiz and head to NESA’s website for more past papers.

I hope you get a lot of value from this guide and wish you the very best as you undertake the 2024 HSC.

Paul Martin, CEO, NSW Education Standards Authority

Find even more content in our digital edition.

Five tips for students

Year 12 can be tough and there may be times when you feel stressed, which can impact your wellbeing. ReachOut’s clinical lead Linda Williams shares her top tips for taking a proactive approach to your mental health this year.

Look after the basics: Just simple, uncomplicated things like exercise, healthy snacks and regular sleep will keep your mood up and from this, life tends to flow more smoothly.

Break down the workload: Break your goals into small, achievable steps. This is less daunting and it can be fun to track your progress and celebrate each one as you finish.

Understand your pressure points: Identify your main stressors so you can create some effective self-care strategies to avoid, limit or manage them.

Practise self-care: Year 12 is not a sprint, it’s a marathon, so pace yourself. Taking breaks to do things that make you happy is crucial and will help to keep you motivated through to the finish line.

Seek help: Stress in year 12 is normal and can be motivating, but if it’s constant or overwhelming it can be harmful. If you are feeling this way, ReachOut.com or your GP are both good places to seek help.

Supporting your child through year 12

Here are ReachOut’s Linda Williams top tips for parents, carers and families who often play a significant role in their teen’s year 12 journey.

Keep communication open: Regular check-ins are important during year 12. Chats can be brief but use them to give positive feedback and share your personal experiences, to help students feel supported and less alone. Find ways to connect through common interests or hobbies.

Boundaries for technology: We know technology use can hinder students’ concentration, yet it is also necessary for study and relaxation. Discuss your expectations regarding both social media and gaming and agree on some boundaries.

Take breaks together: Regular breaks are crucial for year 12 success. Family breaks can ease pressure and foster bonding. Schedule some simple activities that they like to do and use this downtime for informal check-ins.

Help to make home study-friendly: Many parents feel overwhelmed about how to support their teens through year 12. Start with the basics, such as helping them set up a functional study space and stocking up on quick, healthy snacks.

Be aware of the warning signs of too much stress: Signs of excessive stress include sleep disturbances, changes in eating habits, low self-esteem, increased irritability, or health problems. If you notice any of these, talk to your teen about it, and seek support from ReachOut.com and your GP.

Busting HSC myths

Many misconceptions surround the HSC – from “best performing” courses to students receiving “extra marks” with Disability Provisions. NESA experts bust some of the most frequent myths.

Myth: Students should be strategic about the courses they choose to study for the HSC, to maximise their results.

Reality: Choose courses that you are interested in, passionate about and that align to your post-school plans. That’s when you will perform your best, which will be reflected in your final results.

Myth: Some courses scale better than others.

Reality: There is often confusion between the processes NESA undertakes to moderate and report HSC marks, and the process that the University Admission Centre (UAC) undertakes to scale courses to calculate the ATAR. However, the premise is the same for both – your HSC and ATAR will reflect how well you performed in your courses. So, selecting the courses that are right for you, doing your best throughout year 12 and preparing as best you can for your HSC exams will put you in good stead - rather than worrying about selecting courses because you heard it scales better than another course.

Myth: Students are at an advantage or disadvantage if exam questions are easier or harder than they have been in previous years.

Reality: There are three ways NESA ensures that students receive the marks they earn.

• NESA undertakes rigorous processes to write and review exam questions that align to the syllabuses.
• During marking, the demonstration of knowledge, understanding and application is rewarded.
• As each year’s examination can vary in difficulty, an annual standard setting process is conducted to determine how to align examination marks to the performance bands for the course.

Myth: The best way to study is to prepare essays and memorise them for the exams.

Reality: Marks are awarded for how well the response answers the complete question. Memorised responses often don’t respond to the actual question being posed. Instead, devise a study plan that is structured and has some consistency. A regular and consistent pace of study is the key to long-term learning. Remember, students who have reproduced memorised work that is not their own will be investigated for cheating. This could result in a loss of marks, or not being awarded the HSC.

Myth: Students who are approved for Disability Provisions receive extra HSC marks.

Reality: Disability Provisions are adjustments made in the exam environment, so that students can do their best on exam day. They do not confer an advantage or equate to “bonus points” or extra marks. Appropriate evidence of a diagnosis and its impact on the student sitting the exam is required before students are approved for specific provisions.

Students who need provisions should apply. Speak to your school about preparing an application. NESA’s fact sheet outlines important tips for students and their families. Find more information on the NESA website.

One of last year’s recipients of The Brother John Taylor Memorial Prize and 2022 HSC alum Harrison Crisp shares how provisions supported him to sit exams and show what he knew.

Myth: Students who apply for illness and misadventure receive extra HSC marks to recognise their disadvantage.

Reality: If you are unwell on the day of an exam, or experience any other misadventure, notify your school immediately. You will also need to produce evidence of your illness or misadventure. Where you are unable to attend the exam, or it is not safe to do so, you will receive your moderated school assessment mark if approved. If you are well enough to attend your exam, you will receive the higher of your moderated school assessment mark or your exam mark.

These explanations of HSC moderation which is conducted by NESA and calculation of the ATAR conducted by the University Admission Centre (UAC) will help you understand the difference between HSC results and the ATAR.

Here’s how moderation is done

The University Admission Centre’s Dr Helen Tam explains how the ATAR is calculated.

HSC: a journey not a destination

While there are many different, effective study techniques, having a good plan in place will not only help you feel prepared in the lead up to exams, but also benefit your overall wellbeing.

Here are our steps to help guide you through your final year:

Check your exam timetable: Your personalised HSC exam timetable is now available. If you haven’t already, get it from your Students Online account.

Use your syllabus as a road map: The syllabus is a good place to start your study planning. It gives you a good idea of what to expect from HSC exams. It details the course content and outlines the skills and knowledge you need to demonstrate. View all current syllabuses.

Start practising: For a quick practice session, take our multiple-choice quiz and check out more quizzes on NESA’s website. You can also test yourself with past exam papers, which include marking guidelines and marker feedback.

Lift your standards: See real examples of the standard of work expected at different performance band levels. That way you know what to aim for.

Learn the lingo: For example, make sure you know the difference between “explain” and “analyse” by checking out the glossary of key words. It includes the most common terms used in exam questions.

Mentally prepare: As exams approach, you may feel the pressures mounting. Some stress is normal, but it shouldn’t overwhelm. Read the advice from mental health expert Linda Williams from ReachOut.

Exam day checklist

• Get a good rest the night before exams.
• Know the rules and consequences of breaking them.
• Check your exam timetable and arrive with plenty of time before your
  exam.
• Make sure you have the right equipment for your exams.

Results day: By this time the HSC will be behind you and now comes the wait for your HSC results on December 18. You will get your results by email and text message. You can also access your HSC results, credentials and VET qualification documents by logging into your Students Online account.

• Read our other HSC Study Guide 2024 stories
• Check out Campus, our higher education hub, including an interactive course search tool