Exam format · updated 24 October 2026

HSC exam format by subject

Most HSC science and mathematics exams have a multiple-choice Section I and a written Section II, 100 marks in all (Mathematics Extension 1 is 70 marks), with 3 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time for most courses. English Standard has two papers.

PartOur practice paper formatPapers
Mathematics Standard 2A full practice examination with Section I 15 multiple-choice, Section II 85 marks, 100 marks in all, 2 hours 30 minutes working time plus 10 minutes reading time20
Mathematics AdvancedA full practice examination with Section I 10 multiple-choice, Section II 90 marks, 100 marks in all, 3 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time20
Mathematics Extension 1A full practice examination with Section I 10 multiple-choice, Section II 60 marks, 70 marks in all, 2 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time20
Mathematics Extension 2A full practice examination with Section I 10 multiple-choice, Section II 90 marks, 100 marks in all, 3 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time20
ChemistryA full practice examination with Section I 20 multiple-choice, Section II 80 marks, 100 marks in all, 3 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time20
BiologyA full practice examination with Section I 20 multiple-choice, Section II 80 marks, 100 marks in all, 3 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time20
PhysicsA full practice examination with Section I 20 multiple-choice, Section II 80 marks, 100 marks in all, 3 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time20
English Standard Paper 1Paper 1, Texts and Human Experiences: 40 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes plus 10 minutes reading time in the real exam10
English Standard Paper 2Paper 2, The Modules: 60 marks in three 20-mark sections, 2 hours plus 5 minutes reading time in the real exam10

The table shows the format our HSC practice papers follow. Working time differs by course, so read each row.

Syllabus versions

NSW is introducing new syllabuses in stages. Mathematics and English follow new syllabuses from the 2027 HSC, Biology and Physics from 2028 and Chemistry from 2029, so some courses are in transition. Our Mathematics papers are written for the 2024 syllabuses. Always check the exam date against the syllabus on the NESA site.

Official sources

Practice papers for this exam

Australia · Year 12

HSC Maths Standard 2

20 papers. A full practice examination with Section I 15 multiple-choice, Section II 85 marks, 100 marks in all, 2 hours 30 minutes working time plus 10 minutes reading time.

Browse 20 papersAustralia · Year 12

HSC Maths Advanced

20 papers. A full practice examination with Section I 10 multiple-choice, Section II 90 marks, 100 marks in all, 3 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time.

Browse 20 papersAustralia · Year 12

HSC Maths Extension 1

20 papers. A full practice examination with Section I 10 multiple-choice, Section II 60 marks, 70 marks in all, 2 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time.

Browse 20 papersAustralia · Year 12

HSC Maths Extension 2

20 papers. A full practice examination with Section I 10 multiple-choice, Section II 90 marks, 100 marks in all, 3 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time.

Browse 20 papersAustralia · Year 12

HSC Chemistry

20 papers. A full practice examination with Section I 20 multiple-choice, Section II 80 marks, 100 marks in all, 3 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time.

Browse 20 papersAustralia · Year 12

HSC Biology

20 papers. A full practice examination with Section I 20 multiple-choice, Section II 80 marks, 100 marks in all, 3 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time.

Browse 20 papersAustralia · Year 12

HSC Physics

20 papers. A full practice examination with Section I 20 multiple-choice, Section II 80 marks, 100 marks in all, 3 hours working time plus 10 minutes reading time.

Browse 20 papersAustralia · Year 12

HSC English Standard 1

10 papers. Paper 1, Texts and Human Experiences: 40 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes plus 10 minutes reading time in the real exam.

Browse 10 papersAustralia · Year 12

HSC English Standard 2

10 papers. Paper 2, The Modules: 60 marks in three 20-mark sections, 2 hours plus 5 minutes reading time in the real exam.

Browse 10 papers

Questions

Which syllabus do your Mathematics papers follow?

The new Mathematics syllabuses (2024), first examined in the 2027 HSC. Each Mathematics collection page states the syllabus.

Are these official HSC papers?

Our papers are original practice papers written to the published format. They are not official papers and are not affiliated with, or endorsed by, any exam authority.