Year 12 students across the New England start their Higher School Certificate exams tomorrow, Tuesday, 13 October. Schools across the region have taken to social media, wishing them well.
Bundarra Central School has shared tips for students and families as the exams begin. Students should check their timetables carefully and know when each exam is. They should arrive 15 minutes early for each exam at the Bundarra Central School BVET Shed Classroom. The start time on the timetable is when reading time begins. Students must sign in and out at the school office.
Students should also check that they have the approved equipment and that they bring nothing that is not allowed in the exam room. They should pack black pens and a few spares, 2B pencils, a sharpener and an eraser, highlighters, a clear ruler, a clear, unlabelled water bottle and an approved calculator.
Phones and smartwatches must stay at home. So must Bluetooth earphones or headphones, notes or scrap paper, correction tape or white-out, and calculator lids or covers. Food and flavoured drinks are also out, unless approved. A normal watch is fine, but it needs to come off and sit flat on the desk.
Once inside the exam room, students should check their desk and papers carefully and follow all written and verbal instructions. They must not finish an exam in the first hour or leave in the last 15 minutes. The school also asks students to behave politely, take exams seriously and follow the PBL RISE expectations of Responsibility, Involvement, Success and Excellence.
Students who are unwell, have an accident or suffer another misadventure at the time of an exam can use the illness and misadventure process.
Families should contact the school immediately. If a student is unwell, they should get a medical certificate. The full written exam timetable is online at https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/key-dates/hsc-written-exam-timetable
Armidale Catholic Schools has also sent its best wishes to the Class of 2026. It said years of study, growth and perseverance have brought students to this point.
“We are immensely proud of the resilient and capable young adults across our system,” Armidale Catholic Schools wrote.
In Narrabri, CUC North West shared its own message for Year 12 students as they finish this chapter of their school journey. “You’ve put in the hard work, now it’s time to take a deep breath, stay focused and do your best!” wrote CUC North West.
New figures from the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) show what this year’s students are choosing to study. There are 84,053 students enrolled in at least one HSC course in 2026. Of those, 74,542 are completing their HSC this year.
More than a quarter of HSC students now include a vocational education and training (VET) course among their subjects. VET enrolments grew by 6% compared to last year, and 28% of the cohort now studies a VET course. Since 2020, HSC VET enrolments have risen by 20%.
Hospitality remains the most popular VET course with 9,250 students, followed by Construction with 4,188 and Business Services with 3,158. Financial Services jumped by 82% to 215 students, while Human Services rose by 21% to 1,182.
More students can now study more than one VET course and have their results count towards their ATAR, following changes that came into effect last year. NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said the trend is welcome.
“It’s fantastic to see more students choosing to study VET subjects for their HSC, with the reputation and recognition of VET as a valuable pathway continuing to grow,” said Minister Car.
The State Government is also spending $11.6 million to expand the Educational Pathways Program. It helps schools connect students with employers for work experience, school-based apprenticeships and traineeships. The program will run in an additional 24 high schools next year, bringing the total to 207.
Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan encouraged younger students to think about VET when they choose their HSC subjects. “I encourage our younger high school students to consider a VET course when they make their HSC subject selections,” said Minister Whan.
Outside VET, Mathematics has the highest enrolments after compulsory English. More than 40% of students are studying a science subject, and around 35% chose at least one course with a major work or performance component. NESA CEO Paul Martin said the snapshot shows the breadth of choice in the HSC.
“There are thousands of study patterns for students to choose from, in line with what they are good at and interested in, and what they want to do after school,” said Mr Martin.
Dr Amanda Jefferys, a Senior Lecturer and Acting Director of the Clinical Psychology Program at UNE has written a blog on the UNE website with advice on handling the stress of high school exam time.
Dr Jefferys has relived the HSC eight times with members of her blended family. She said good routines matter.
“Stay active, get adequate sleep and remain connected with your community,” said Dr Jefferys.
She also encouraged students to keep a flexible study plan and to make a start on big tasks. “Break tasks down into smaller chunks and make a start,” said Dr Jefferys.
Students should not be afraid to ask for help. “Ask for whatever level of support you might need, even if only to debrief,” said Dr Jefferys.
She said early warning signs that a student is feeling overwhelmed include cynicism, negativity, or blaming others or the process. That is the time to reach out to additional supports or a professional.
Dr Jefferys also had a message about results. “I’ve been on the ground a long time and no one has ever asked me what mark I got for the HSC,” said Dr Jefferys.
Results will be available in Students Online in December and will be sent by email and SMS. Students who are eligible for the HSC will receive a hard copy of their testamur by mail from the end of January.
For Dr Jefferys, the message for students is simple. “Your wellbeing is more important than any exam,” said Dr Jefferys.
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