HSC Grading and Evaluation Criteria 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: If a student is absent from an HSC external exam without an approved reason, what is the most likely outcome?
- They receive the average mark of their school cohort
- They are awarded zero for that examination component (Correct answer)
- They automatically qualify for a supplementary exam
- Their ATAR is calculated using only internal marks
Correct answer: They are awarded zero for that examination component
An unexplained absence results in zero for that exam component, which severely impacts the overall subject mark.
Question 2: What is 'scaling' in the context of the ATAR calculation?
- Converting raw marks into a percentage
- Adjusting study scores to reflect subject difficulty and demand (Correct answer)
- Adding bonus points for Extension subjects
- Removing the lowest-scoring subject from the calculation
Correct answer: Adjusting study scores to reflect subject difficulty and demand
Scaling adjusts study scores so that harder or more academically demanding subjects contribute fairly to the ATAR.
Question 3: How many units of study does the HSC typically require a student to complete to be eligible for an ATAR?
- 8 units
- 10 units (Correct answer)
- 12 units
- 6 units
Correct answer: 10 units
Students must complete a minimum of 10 units across their two years of senior study to be eligible for an ATAR.
Question 4: What is the difference between a 'raw mark' and a 'scaled mark' in HSC results?
- Raw marks are from school tasks; scaled marks are from external exams
- Raw marks are the actual marks earned; scaled marks are adjusted for cohort performance (Correct answer)
- Raw marks exclude bonus marks; scaled marks include them
- There is no difference; the terms are interchangeable
Correct answer: Raw marks are the actual marks earned; scaled marks are adjusted for cohort performance
Raw marks reflect actual exam performance, while scaled marks are statistically adjusted to allow fair comparison across subjects.
Question 5: Which body is responsible for setting and marking HSC external examinations in New South Wales?
- The Department of Education
- The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) (Correct answer)
- The Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority (ACARA)
- The Board of Studies
Correct answer: The NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)
NESA (formerly BOSTES) oversees HSC curriculum, examinations, and credentialing in New South Wales.
Question 6: A student completes an Extension 2 subject. How many units does this typically count for?
- 1 unit
- 2 units (Correct answer)
- 3 units
- 4 units
Correct answer: 2 units
Extension 2 subjects count for 2 units, making Extension subjects a total of 4 units when combined with the associated Standard and Extension 1 course.
Question 7: What does 'band 6' typically represent in an HSC subject?
- A failing grade requiring re-examination
- The highest performance band, usually 90–100 marks (Correct answer)
- A satisfactory pass at the standard level
- Marks between 70–79 on the marking scale
Correct answer: The highest performance band, usually 90–100 marks
Band 6 is the highest achievement band, generally corresponding to marks in the 90–100 range for most HSC subjects.
HSC Grading and Evaluation Criteria 3
If a student is absent from an HSC external exam without an approved reason, what is the most likely outcome?