ADVICE FOR HSC
STUDENTS
JFHS
ADVICE FOR THE HSC FOLLOWING A
REVIEW OF HSC EXAMINATIONS

These points should be read in
conjunction with
– The notes from the marking centres
– HSC Assessment policies
– HSC Performance Band Descriptors
– How your HSC works
These are all on the Board of Studies website
HSC EXAMINATIONS SUMMARY

About 10% of all exams are marked
onscreen via secure internet. The speed,
efficiency and success of this program
means that it will be expanded.
ALERTS FOR 2010 EXAMINATION
SPECIFICATIONS
In 2008 the Board decided to change the
specifications for some HSC examinations
starting from 2010.
 This will result in new formats for some
examination papers this year.
 Full details are on the Board’s website.

GLOSSARY FOR KEY WORDS

The Boards Glossary for Key Words
contains some terms commonly used in
examination questions. The glossary is a
useful guide to question formats, but it is
not exhaustive; HSC students must be
prepared for many kinds of questions.
QUESTION FORMAT

In the past, many HSC students showed a
concern if a style of question was
introduced that had not appeared in
previous exams or specimen papers. Each
year the examination committees follow a
framework for each subject. While these
committees don’t set out to “trick”
students but they will avoid predictive
paper.
QUESTIONS WITH STIMULUS
MATERIAL
Examination committees may change
stimulus material where they believe it is
necessary.
 Carefully read the stimulus material and
use it for the questions specified. Just
because it is not in the previous paper
does not mean it won’t happen.

MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS

A number of students have reported
concern about particular multiple choice
questions. This is designed to test specific
knowledge for the best possible answer,
so answers with partially right content can
be in the multiple choice section.
MANAGING DIFFICULT QUESTIONS
HSC examinations are intended to be
rigorous and to challenge students of all
abilities.
 HSC students should know that there is no
“best fit” answer for each section.
Although there are expectations, you
should be prepared for the questions on
the day, rather than those you think might
be in the examination.

MANAGING DIFFICULT QUESTIONS

Remember, that an attempt is better than
a non attempt, and that if you find it
challenging, chances are that others in the
candidature may find it challenging as
well.
PREPARING FOR YOUR EXAM

Keep looking on your Students Online
facility. Keep your details up to date, and
look for advice. VET exams for our school
are here in the hall, but TAFE exams
might be in other locations.
ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOUR

Clearly, it is unacceptable to create
disturbances during the reading time or
examination, regardless of your feelings
toward the examination, your stress
levels, or any other matter.
COURSES CONTAINING PROJECTS
OR PERFORMANCES
Ensure that you have the correct
information about dimensions of projects,
elements of performances, and when a
project must be submitted. Your teacher
will have these details, and is probably
repeating them often.
 More advice can be found on HSC
Examinations: Projects, submitted works
and performances on the website.

NON SERIOUS ATTEMPTS AND
NON ATTEMPTS
All students have to make a genuine effort at
the papers they sit.
 The Board will consider a non-attempt if there is
no evidence of academic engagement with the
paper. This includes answering multiple choice
only.
 Students with their papers found to be in the
above categories will be asked by the Board to
justify why they should receive a result in the
subject in question. This will render students
ineligible for the HSC.

APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL
PROVISIONS
These are available, but they must be put
in in a timely manner.
 4817 applications were received last year,
2901 were approved in full, 1694 partially
approved, and 222 fully declined.

MALPRACTICE
There have been a number of cases were
students have brought unauthorised material
into the room – aka notes on phones, etc.
 At the commencement of each exam, the
presiding officer asks if there is any
unauthorised material. If you discover any
unauthorised material at this time, you can hand
it in without penalty. However…if discovered
later, and you have not handed it in, it is
malpractice.

ILLNESS/MISADVENTURE
Sometimes things spiral outside of our control. If
this occurs, you may apply for an
illness/misadventure. Last year, 4400 individual
appeals were received, 3987 of these were
upheld, and 413 declined.
 It is very important that you have supporting
documentation for this application.
 Students should never risk harm to attend an
examination.
