The New Higher School Certificate
Frequently Asked Questions
Now that schools are preparing to implement the New HSC syllabuses questions on aspects of the curriculum and its implementation are being raised with Board officers attending conferences, forums and meetings with principals and teachers.
We will maintain this web page during the implementation phase so that teachers are provided with accurate and timely information.
This page will be updated regularly as further questions arise.
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When are schools able to commence Preliminary courses for the new HSC?
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If a student achieves an HSC mark of 50 does it equate with Band 1 or Band 2?
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What percentage of students can be expected to be placed in Band 1?
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Will internal assessment continue to count as part of the HSC result?
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What is to be the method for determining the moderated assessment mark?
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How does the Board distinguish between a subject and a course?
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How will achievement in Band 1 be different from a U determination?
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Do the required 10 units of HSC courses have to be Board Developed?
When are schools able to commence Preliminary courses for the new HSC?
The Board of Studies determined in May 1998 that
the study of Preliminary courses for the new HSC is to begin on
day 1, Term 1 of the calendar year and that this requirement will
apply for Year 11, 2000.
This determination is in line with the Government's White Paper on reforms for the Higher School Certificate which stated that the study of the Preliminary course for the New HSC will commence on the first day of Term 1 of Year 11. The White Paper noted general support from school education authorities and educational stakeholders for this determination.
The decision on this matter is also related to the intention to
return significance and purpose to the School Certificate and to
ensure that students maintain their Year 10 studies until the end
of the school year when the School Certificate tests are held.
Schools can choose to enhance their Year 10 program to prepare students for their Preliminary courses. This is different from commencing the Stage 6 program during Year 10. Schools would need to clearly differentiate between any enhancement to Year 10 programs and commencement of the Preliminary courses before day 1, Term 1 of the Year 11 calendar year.
If a student completes the study of a 60 hour vocational course in Term 4 of Year 10 following completion of the School Certificate tests can it be counted towards the Preliminary or HSC Record of Achievement?
No. Sixty hour vocational courses completed before the beginning of the Year 11 calendar year will not be counted towards the Preliminary or HSC Record of Achievement.
Will it be possible for a student who completes Year 11 in 1999 to enter Year 12 in 2001 and sit for the HSC examination in that year?
Yes. Students who have completed the current requirements for the
Preliminary course of study will be deemed to have satisfied the
requirements for the new Preliminary course of study even if they
have only completed 11 units of the current Preliminary courses.
Preliminary courses completed up to 1999 can be counted towards completion of HSC courses in and after 2001.
If a student achieves an HSC mark of 50 does it equate with Band 1 or Band 2?
A mark of 50 equates with Band 2, 60 equates with Band 3 and so on.
What percentage of students can be expected to be placed in Band 1?
There is no predetermined percentage of students to be placed in each band. The standards reached by candidates will determine the distribution in each subject.
Will internal assessment continue to count as part of the HSC result?
The internal assessment and the external examination will carry equal weighting in the determination of the student's HSC result. Each component will be worth 50%.
What is to be the method for determining the moderated assessment mark?
For each course the internal assessment marks submitted by the school will be moderated by using the performance of the school course group in the examinations. The moderated assessment and the examination mark will be averaged to provide a composite mark.
Can a one unit course be counted as the fourth subject?
Yes. A one unit course can be counted as the fourth subject. This
one unit course can be either a Board Developed Course or a Board
Endorsed Course.
How does the Board distinguish between a subject and a course?
A subject is the general name given to an area of study
that may have several different courses (eg within the subject English
the courses will include English Standard, English Advanced, English
Life Skills, etc).
A course is a branch of study within a subject. There can be more than one level of study within a course.
How long will the performance bands remain in draft form?
The performance bands will remain in draft form until the 2001 HSC examinations. The descriptions in the performance bands will be reviewed immediately following the 2001 examinations before being used to report student achievement for that year. Where refinements to the descriptions are made this will ensure that they appropriately summarise the different levels of achievement students are demonstrating in the new HSC courses.
It is possible that in some areas further refinements may follow from the 2002 HSC examinations.
How will achievement in Band 1 be different from a U determination?
Students who gain an HSC mark that places them in Band 1, and so
below the minimum standard expected, are deemed to have met the
criteria for satisfactory completion of the course. Students who,
after the appropriate processes have been followed, receive a U
determination are considered not to have satisfactorily completed
the course.
Students who achieve a mark for a course in Band 1 will have the course credentialled on their Record of Achievement while students receiving a U determination will not.
Are all subjects in the New HSC of an equivalent standard?
A standards-based approach is about establishing meaningful standards in particular subjects not about equating standards across them.
All courses in the New HSC will be rigorous in terms of the standard of knowledge, skills and understanding expected of the students undertaking them.
The process of setting standards for each new HSC course has involved:
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an evaluation of the content and outcomes of existing courses
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an analysis of the standards of performance that students are currently demonstrating through HSC examinations. This involved experienced HSC markers analysing student responses to questions in recent HSC examinations including written answers, major works, projects and performances.
The use of information about current standards of performance has meant that the learning outcomes and content for each of the new HSC courses are set at an appropriate standard.
Do the required 10 units of HSC courses have to be Board Developed?
No. To be awarded a Higher School Certificate only 6 of the 10 units need to be Board Developed. However for students wanting a Universities Admission Index (UAI) the calculation will be based on the best 10 Board Developed units including 2 units of English.