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HSC English exam 2026Exams: Tue 13 Oct to Wed 14 Oct · NESA timetable

The first HSC English exam (English Advanced):

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When and how long

  • English Advanced · Paper 1: Texts and Human Experiences9.50 am to 11.30 am1 h 30 min plus 10 min reading time
  • English Standard · Paper 1: Texts and Human Experiences9.50 am to 11.30 am1 h 40 min in total, including reading time
  • English Advanced · Paper 2: Modules9.25 am to 11.30 am2 h 5 min in total, including reading time
  • English Standard · Paper 2: Modules9.25 am to 11.30 am2 h 5 min in total, including reading time

Our English pages cover 2 NESA courses: check which one you are enrolled in.

NESA: the exam start time shown on your timetable is when reading time begins, and you must arrive well before it. Finishing times marked approximate are shown as approx.

Source: 2026 HSC written exam timetable (NESA), checked Wednesday 23 September 2026. Where a start time, reading time or duration isn't shown, the timetable doesn't publish it: check your personal timetable and the front of your paper.

Paper format

Higher School Certificate Examination - English Advanced Paper 1: 40 marks, 1 h 30 min writing time plus 10 minutes reading time.

  • Section I - Texts and human experiences (short answer)20 marks
  • Section II - Texts and human experiences (sustained response)20 marks

Models Paper 1 of the English Advanced HSC exam (2017 syllabus; the new English Advanced 11-12 syllabus is first examined in 2027). NESA specification: 1 hour 30 minutes plus 10 minutes reading time, 40 marks. Section I (20 marks): five or six short-answer questions on stimulus and/or unseen texts. Section II (20 marks): one question requiring a sustained response on the prescribed text. Paper 2 (Modules A, B and C, 60 marks, 2 hours plus 5 minutes reading) is a separate paper.

From the official specification: source.

What the exam covers

We don't have past-paper frequency data for this exam, so here is the course, module by module. Make sure every module is covered.

Night-before and exam-morning checklists

The night before

  • Check your personalised timetable on Students Online: the start time shown is when reading time begins.[2]
  • Confirm your venue and the start time.[1]
  • Pack a clear bag: several black pens (no erasable ink), 2B pencils, sharpener, eraser and a ruler.[1]
  • Pack an approved calculator (check NESA's list) and a compass or protractor if the exam needs them.[1]
  • Fill a clear, label-free water bottle.[1]
  • A plain watch only if you want one (no smart or programmable watch); it goes on the desk.[1]
  • Stop revising around 7 to 8 pm, set two alarms and sleep.[1]

Exam morning

  • Eat a real breakfast.[1]
  • Arrive well before the start time to allow for seating and checks.[2]
  • Leave your phone and other electronic devices outside the exam room.[1]
  • Use the bathroom before you go in.[1]
  • In reading time, read and plan only: no writing, marking or annotating.[1]
  • You can't leave in the first hour or the last 15 minutes.[1]
  1. HSC exam day: what to actually expect
  2. NESA: HSC written exam timetable

Exam-week survival kit: The last 7 days · The night before and exam morning · What to bring, and what's banned · How to use reading time · If you're sick or something goes wrong · Handling exam-week stress.

Last-week revision

Exam date and time from the official NESA 2026 timetable, checked Wednesday 23 September 2026. Not affiliated with NESA; always confirm with your personal timetable.

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