Close to 70,000 HSC students are putting pen to paper as the start of the 2023 HSC written exams officially kicks off with English Paper 1.
Having completed 50% of their course mark throughout the year, the next 18 days of HSC exams are the opportunity for students to demonstrate all they have learned, bringing together their 13 years of schooling.
When the exams come to an end on Friday 3 November, some 68,689 Year 12 HSC students will have sat more than 400,000 unique exam sessions.
Some 124 exams are scheduled over the next 3 and a half weeks, with papers written by more than 300 exam developers, concluding with the Food Technology course exam.
All students will receive their HSC results and ATAR on Thursday 14 December.
The Minns Labor Government has made a record investment in the state’s education system at the NSW Budget, including investing to give the state’s 95,000 teachers a historic pay rise.
$3.5 billion will also go to building and upgrading Western Sydney schools, and $1.4 billion will go to building and upgrading schools in the state’s regions.
$45 million will also be spent on boosting the NSW Education Standards Authority’s cyber, information security and technology program, enhancing the agency’s security.
The Premier, Deputy Premier and Member for Heffron will wish students well at a media event in the Heffron electorate on Wednesday.
Students can visit the Stay Healthy HSC hublaunch for advice and resources on taking care of their wellbeing during exams.
The written exam timetable can be found on the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) website, along with the 2023 HSC Enrolment Snapshotlaunch.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“Today is an important day for our HSC students.
“To everyone sitting their exams, I wish you all the very best.
“All of NSW is behind you as you enter this exam period.
“Do your best – that is all anyone can ask of you.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“This is a big moment for our senior school students and one they have spent months, even years, preparing for.
“My message to the HSC Class of 2023 is to trust in your abilities, reflect on all that you have learnt, and enter every exam room with confidence and determination.
“Balance your exam and study schedule with regular downtime, connect with friends and loved ones and get plenty of sleep.
“I would especially like to thank the parents and teachers who have supported our HSC students to reach this milestone. They have inspired, educated and nurtured a love for learning in their children and students.”
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) Chief Executive Officer Paul Martin said:
“The HSC is a major operation and one that relies on the support of schools, teachers and exam staff. Over the next 18 days we will have completed 400,000 exams.
“Thank you to the school communities, including NSW principals, teachers and school staff who have supported HSC students throughout the year and today as they commence their written exams.
“Parents, families and caregivers – to think 13 years of primary and high school is coming to an end.
“Congratulations to the families who have supported their young people through their education careers. This is an exciting day for many.”