HSC Grading and Evaluation Criteria 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In the HSC, what does an ATAR of 99.95 indicate?
- The student scored 99.95% on all exams
- The student ranked in the top 0.05% of their age group (Correct answer)
- The student passed all subjects with distinction
- The student completed 99.95 units of study
Correct answer: The student ranked in the top 0.05% of their age group
An ATAR of 99.95 means the student performed better than 99.95% of their eligible age cohort.
Question 2: Which of the following subjects is typically classified as a Category B subject for ATAR purposes in most states?
- English Advanced
- Mathematics Extension 1
- Visual Arts
- Physical Education (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Physical Education
Physical Education is commonly a Category B subject, meaning it can count toward the ATAR but with limitations on how many Category B units are included.
Question 3: What is the primary purpose of the HSC examination mark moderation process?
- To increase all student marks by a fixed percentage
- To align school assessment marks with external exam performance (Correct answer)
- To penalise schools with low academic standards
- To replace internal assessment marks entirely
Correct answer: To align school assessment marks with external exam performance
Moderation scales school-based assessment marks so they are consistent with how that school's cohort performed on the external exam.
Question 4: A student receives a study score of 35 in a subject. What does this broadly indicate?
- The student answered 35 questions correctly
- The student is in approximately the top 25–30% of that subject (Correct answer)
- The student failed the subject
- The student achieved the average score for the state
Correct answer: The student is in approximately the top 25–30% of that subject
A study score of 35 places a student roughly in the top 25–30% of all students who sat that subject.
Question 5: Which component is NOT typically included in calculating a student's HSC subject mark?
- School-based assessment tasks
- External written examination
- Oral or practical component (where applicable)
- Attendance record (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Attendance record
Attendance is not a graded component; HSC marks are based on assessments, exams, and where relevant, practical or oral components.
Question 6: What does it mean when two students receive the same band but different marks in an HSC subject?
- They performed identically overall
- Their raw marks fell within the same mark range for that band (Correct answer)
- One student was scaled up and the other was not
- They sat different versions of the exam
Correct answer: Their raw marks fell within the same mark range for that band
Bands represent ranges of marks, so students can have different marks yet still fall within the same band.
Question 7: In the context of HSC assessment, what is a 'task notification'?
- An email confirming exam timetable
- Formal written notice to students about an upcoming assessment task (Correct answer)
- A warning letter for academic misconduct
- A reminder to submit study plans
Correct answer: Formal written notice to students about an upcoming assessment task
Schools must provide students with formal written task notifications before each assessment task, outlining the task, weightings, and due date.
HSC Grading and Evaluation Criteria 2
In the HSC, what does an ATAR of 99.95 indicate?