About the HSC exams
Eligibility
Read the requirements to be awarded the internationally recognised HSC.
Inclusive and flexible, the HSC is designed to meet the diverse needs of students with a range of abilities, backgrounds and post-school goals. This includes the opportunity for students to take up to five consecutive years to complete the 10 units of HSC courses required to be awarded the HSC.
Setting the exams
Each HSC exam is designed to assess the extent to which students have achieved the learning outcomes from the BOSTES syllabus for the course.
The exams are written by exam committees made up of expert teachers and academics.
View past exam papers.
Sitting for the exams
View the 2015 HSC enrolment snapshot.
See exam timetables.
Read the list of authorised equipment for exams.
To maintain the integrity of the HSC, students are required to read and agree to the HSC Rules and Procedures.
BOSTES takes cheating and other breaches of the rules and procedures very seriously, with consequences including the non-award of the HSC.
Students with a permanent or temporary disability may apply for disability provisions to help them respond to their HSC exams.
View disability provisions statistics.
Students affected by illness, emergencies or natural disasters just before or during the HSC exams may apply for illness and misadventure consideration.
Marking the exams
Read about the HSC marking process.
Results and high achievers
Students will receive their HSC results on Wednesday 16 December 2015.
Students with questions can call the HSC Inquiry Centre on Tel: 1300 13 83 23 from 8 am on Wednesday 16 December 2015.
The ceremony for students who come First in Course is held on Tuesday 15 December 2015. The list is published on the BOSTES website.
View First in Course lists.
A further three HSC merit lists are published on the BOSTES website on Wednesday 16 December 2015 including:
- All round achievers who have achieved results in the highest band in 10 or more units of HSC courses
- Top achievers who have achieved one of the top places and a result in the highest band in one or more HSC courses. The number of top places for each course is determined by the number studying the course
- Distinguished achievers who have achieved a result in the highest band in one or more courses.
View HSC merit lists.
Read the 2015 HSC fact sheet.
HSC statistics are available.
Read the HSC media protocols.
View media releases, news and contacts.
NSW Government