HSC 2021 exams to be delayed by a week due to Covid lockdown

Remote learning due to the Covid pandemic has led to a revised timetable for Year 12 students doing their HSC, with exams pushed back.

HSC exams will be delayed by a week for the second year in a row and plastic screens will separate students from markers in oral language exams.

Masks will be mandatory for everyone in exam halls except the HSC students.

The written exams will begin one week later than planned on October 19 and HSC results will now be released on December 17.

Senior students have been given a two-week extension on their major projects, while Industrial Technology have been granted an extra four weeks to submit their major works.

The music performance exams will continue as scheduled, running from August 30 to September 10, but drama performance exams have been rescheduled to run between September 6 and 17.

Covid lockdown will delay HSC exams this year.

Students will still receive their results, ATAR and university offers this year despite written exams being delayed by a week, according to the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Covid-19 Response Committee chairman Peter Shergold.

“We know students want certainty about their exams, our priority is to limit disruption to HSC students,” Professor Shergold said.

“Our aim is to give students as much clarity as possible so they can focus on their studies, their goals and their personal wellbeing.

“We recognise that students and schools across the state are operating under a variety of different circumstances.

“We will outline a special illness and misadventure process and any other contingency arrangements needed to ensure equity and fairness for all students.”

Oral language exams were rescheduled earlier this week and will now start on August 14, with perspex dividers between students and examiners.

Educators have gone to great lengths to ensure exams are fair and safe, according to NESA CEO Paul Martin.

“The changes to the exam timetables mean all students have some additional time to prepare for exams or complete their project,” Mr Martin said.

“I can assure markers and exam supervisors that their safety, as well as the students, is our priority.”

Originally published as HSC 2021 exams to be delayed by a week due to Covid lockdown