New Limit on HSC Take-Home Assessments
From Term 4 2026 a maximum of one take-home assessment, worth no more than 15% of the school-based assessment mark, can be included in HSC courses. The same limit will apply to Preliminary courses from Term 1 2027.
The change will help protect student learning and uphold the integrity of the HSC by ensuring marks reflect a student’s own thinking and knowledge. Some courses with major works, projects or practical exams will be exempt.
Schools still decide the number, type and weighting of all in-school assessment tasks.
The ACE Rules, along with assessment and reporting requirements in each syllabus, will be updated to reflect the changes before the end of Term 3 2026.
What's New
New Agriculture and Agriculture Life Skills 11–12 syllabuses
Agriculture 11–12 will be examined in the HSC for the first time in 2029.
New Geography HSC standards materials available
New Geography HSC standards materials are available to support teaching of the Stage 6 Geography 11–12 Syllabus. The materials provide examples of student responses in the 2025 Geography HSC written exam.
The standards materials can be used by teachers and students to understand the difference between higher and lower band responses and the quality and standard of work that reflects achievement at the borders between performance band levels.
Regards,
David Browne
CEO
Professional Teachers' Council NSW
