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.

2020 key dates

• 10 February: Updated practice minimum standard tests open with new student feedback reports for reading and numeracy and new sample questions
• 17 February – 30 November (on school days): Students may sit the reading, writing and numeracy minimum standard test
• 30 November: Deadline to sit each test and receive the HSC credential by results day

Who needs to sit the HSC minimum standard tests?

Online Tests

Students will have a number of opportunities to meet the HSC minimum standard. This includes four 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. Year 12 students yet to meet the HSC minimum standard will be able to attempt each test up to six times in 2020, with 14 calendar days between re-attempts.

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.

Links and resources