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HSC

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Mitchell Burriss, a top achiever in Science Extension in 2024, is now studying a bachelor of economics and advanced science at UNSW.

The HSC science subject in which most students get a top band

Most students who take this subject get a strong result, with the warning it can be “blood, sweat and tears”. Which science subjects should you choose for success?

  • Penry Buckley

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Laura and Clara Ebba, 18, both studied HSC Standard English in 2024 and received marks in their 80s.

More than 30,000 students do this HSC subject. Fewer than 200 get top marks

More students are choosing standard English over advanced English in the HSC – and a large performance gap has opened up between the courses.

  • Cindy Yin
Australia has startlingly low levels of financial literacy and the solution could start in schools.

Bright students let down by limited subject offerings

It is disappointing that some schools fail to offer extension levels of English and mathematics to students. 

  • The Herald's View
Naomi Habib, now a UNSW law student, had to study English Extension 1 through distance education because her western Sydney high school did not offer the subject.

The majority of students get top marks in these HSC subjects – if their school offers them

When selecting HSC subjects, NESA recommends students pick a subject they love. However, for many kids, doing a subject they are passionate about is not always feasible.

  • Emily Kowal
**AFR FIRST USE** Generic gen23 exam test high school certificate education students testing hsc. Photographed at Northern Beaches Secondary College Freshwater Snr Campus in Sydney on June 20, 2024. Photo: Dominic Lorrimer

Rise of AI risks undermining HSC fairness

The NSW Education Standards Authority believes it is the responsibility of individual schools and school sectors to manage policies for the use of AI in their establishments.

  • The Herald's View
HSC cheating

HSC cheating doubles as take-home assignment offences rise

Principals say schools are ramping up in-class work and handwritten tasks in a bid to combat the rapid rise of generative artificial intelligence.

  • Lucy Carroll and Nigel Gladstone
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Saachi Singh is one of 19 students whose work was selected for the Young Writers showcase. Photo Jessica Hromas

These students aced HSC English Extension. This is how they did it

Last year, almost 1500 students did English Extension 2. Just 19 made it into the Young Writers Showcase – this is what they shared in common.

  • Emily Kowal
Students at Macarthur Girls High

The HSC subjects students are most likely to drop in year 12

The Herald analysis is based on subjects with more than 500 enrolled students, and shows how choices shift into the final year of high school.

  • Emily Kowal, Nigel Gladstone and Lucy Carroll
Clancy Catholic College principal David Costin with year 12 students.

The ‘unfair’ HSC system distorting the subjects students choose

One of the state’s school sectors is urging reform of the HSC, saying students are being nudged towards easier subjects.

  • Lucy Carroll
Medical student Daniel Ouyang.

Daniel wasn’t coached for his medical school test. But too many of his peers were

The group which administers the medical school exam for year 12 students has removed a section due to its “high coachability”. Try it yourself.

  • Christopher Harris

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/topic/hsc-5yf