HSC Minimum Standard

From 2020, students in NSW need to meet a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy to receive the Higher School Certificate. It is a standard most students are expected to achieve by the end of Year 12 when they sit their HSC.

To show they meet the HSC minimum standard, students need to achieve Level 3 or 4 in short online reading, writing and numeracy tests of skills for everyday life.

2022 key dates

Term 1

  • 21 February - Enter Years 10 to HSC enrolments for Minimum Standard tests and Practice tests into HSC Minimum Standard tests.

  • 22 February - Years 10 to HSC Minimum Standard tests open.

Term 2

  • 26 April - Enter students into Minimum Standard tests and Minimum Standard test window. Term 2 test window

Term 3

  • 18 July - Enter students into Minimum Standard tests and Minimum Standard test window.

Term 4

  • 10 October - Enter students into Minimum Standard tests and Minimum Standard test window.
  • 10 October - Deadline to sit each test and receive the HSC credential by results day.

How do students meet the HSC minimum standard?

To show they meet the HSC minimum standard, students need to:

  • achieve Level 3 or 4 in the online reading test and
  • achieve Level 3 or 4 in the online writing test and
  • achieve Level 3 or 4 in the online numeracy test.

What happens if a student doesn’t meet the HSC minimum standard?

Students do not need to meet the HSC minimum standard to:

  • study HSC courses
  • sit HSC exams
  • receive HSC assessment and exam results
  • receive an ATAR
  • receive a Record of School Achievement

Only students who meet the HSC minimum standard will receive a Higher School Certificate testamur.

Online Tests

Students will have a number of opportunities to meet the HSC minimum standard. This includes six opportunities each year from Year 10 up to five years after starting their first HSC course. At least 30 calendar days are required before re-attempting a test in the same domain. Students have to meet the HSC minimum standard in reading, writing and numeracy only once.

There have been changes to the minimum standard online test process this year due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Year12 students will now have increased chances to sit the minimum standard online tests. 

There are three 45 minute online tests:

  • an adaptive, multiple choice reading test
  • an adaptive, multiple choice numeracy test
  • a test for writing based on a written or visual prompt

The online tests will be administered by schools. Schools will help students to decide when they are ready to take each test.

For further information about the recent changes for 2022 please go to the NESA website.

Links and resources

Minimum Standard - Reading Resources

Access resources related to Minimum Standard - Reading. AISNSW Member School login required to access.
Access now

NESA

The NESA website has information and resources available, including details about:

  • timeframes
  • online tests
  • demonstration tests and sample questions
  • disability provisions and exemptions
  • resources for students, parents and teachers.


Schools Online

Additional information, support and resources are available in Schools Online to help schools implement the HSC minimum standard and the associated tests including:

  • Online self-paced modules for Secondary teachers
  • Information kits
  • Guidelines

AISNSW

AISNSW Student Services team provides tailored in-school consultancy support. 

Email litnumstrategy@aisnsw.edu.au for further support.