HSC English 2025 Paper 1
Walkthrough of the 2025 HSC English Paper 1 (Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences). Section 1 unseen approach, Section 2 essay strategy, and what the NESA notes from marking centre rewarded.
- Marks
- 40
- Time
- 90 min
- Authority
- NESA
- Updated
What this paper assessed
Paper 1 examines the Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences. Section 1 is unseen short answer (20 marks). Section 2 is one essay on the prescribed text (20 marks).
Section 1 strategy
The 2025 unseen suite continued the established pattern: prose, poetry and a visual or multimodal text. Markers rewarded responses that named the form precisely, chose a small number of well-judged techniques, and linked each technique to a specific aspect of human experience. Allocate 40 minutes for Section 1 with around 15 minutes for the longest question.
Section 2 strategy
The 2025 essay prompt asked candidates to consider how the prescribed text represents the complexities of human emotion. High-band answers held the noun "complexities" in view and showed contradiction or tension in the text rather than smoothing it out. Plan two or three structural moments before writing.
Common errors to avoid
Prepared essays bolted onto the prompt. Section 1 answers that listed techniques without effect. Section 2 essays that read characters as simple representatives of a theme.
What to do with this paper
Sit Section 1 in 40 minutes under exam conditions. Mark yourself against the published NESA notes from marking centre. Then write Section 2 in 40 minutes on your own prescribed text using the 2025 prompt.
Use this paper well
- Sit the paper under exam conditions (90 minutes, 40 marks).
- Mark yourself against the official NESA marking notes.
- Compare against the English hub to find the syllabus dot points this paper tested.