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HSC Investigating Science exam 2026Exam: Tue 3 Nov · NESA timetable

Your HSC Investigating Science exam:

Add to calendar (.ics)All HSC exam datesInvestigating Science study hub

When and how long

  • Investigating Science1.55 pm to 5.00 pm3 h plus 5 min reading time

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 - Investigating Science: 100 marks, 3 h writing time plus 5 minutes reading time.

  • Section I - Objective response20 marks
  • Section II - Short answer and extended response80 marks

NESA HSC exam specification for the Investigating Science Stage 6 (2017) syllabus: 3 hours plus 5 minutes reading time, 100 marks. Section I is objective-response questions worth 20 marks. Section II is worth 80 marks: 20 to 25 items (questions may contain parts), at least two of them worth 7 to 9 marks. There is no Section III. The time split per section is our suggestion.

From the official specification: source.

Most-examined dot points

From 230 questions on the official NESA papers (2019 to 2025), mapped to the syllabus. Past frequency is a guide to what to secure, not a prediction.

  1. Data analysis, error and uncertainty38 questions · examined in 7 of 7 years
  2. Variables and experimental design28 questions · examined in 7 of 7 years
  3. Reliability, validity, accuracy and precision25 questions · examined in 7 of 7 years
  4. Evaluating evidence and claims22 questions · examined in 7 of 7 years
  5. Evidence-based policy in Australia21 questions · examined in 7 of 7 years
  6. Peer review and reproducibility18 questions · examined in 7 of 7 years
  7. Science communication and the public15 questions · examined in 6 of 7 years
  8. Risk assessment and ethics in scientific investigation9 questions · examined in 6 of 7 years

See every dot point in the exam trends.

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

Syllabus by module

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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