QCE exam day: what to actually expect

External assessment (EA) is the one assessment in each General subject that's common to every school, sat at the same time under the same conditions, and set and marked by QCAA. It's worth 50% of your result in Mathematics and Science subjects and 25% in all other General subjects.

Before the day

• Check the timetable and your venue. The 2026 block is 26 October to 17 November.
• Check your calculator is on QCAA's approved list for your subject.
• Pack a clear plastic container or zip-lock bag with your equipment.

What to bring

• Black or blue pens.
• Pencils, eraser and sharpener for diagrams or graphs where appropriate.
• A highlighter if you like, for marking stimulus material (not for writing answers).
• An approved calculator and any subject-specific equipment.
• A water bottle, kept on the floor when you're not using it.
• An ordinary watch if you want one, taken off and placed in clear view on your desk. Smart watches and fitness trackers are prohibited.

Phones and other electronic devices must be switched off and left in your bag outside the assessment room. Don't keep them on you or on your desk.

Arriving

QCAA asks you to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start. If you're running late, contact your school or venue's EA coordinator straight away.

• Arriving within 40 minutes of the start: you can be admitted.
• Arriving more than 40 minutes late: you need permission from the EA coordinator or principal, you won't get perusal or planning time, and your result may be reviewed.

Perusal and planning time

• Perusal time: read the materials, but don't pick up any writing equipment or touch your calculator.
• Planning time: think and organise your response, but don't write in the response book or touch your calculator.

Use this time to choose questions (where there's a choice), plan the order you'll work in and note which questions carry the most marks.

During the exam

• Follow the instructions on the paper for answering and for any multiple-choice response section.
• Put up your hand if you need more paper, have an equipment problem or feel unwell.
• You can't leave in the first 40 minutes or the last 10 minutes, except in an emergency or under approved AARA.
• Don't take any assessment materials out of the room, including planning paper and stimulus or question books.

If something goes wrong

Tell the supervisor straight away. If illness or misadventure affects your EA, your school can apply to QCAA under AARA. Applications can be made from 14 days before the external assessment period until 7 days after your final external assessment. See QCE AARA.

After each exam

• Reset for the next one. Rehashing answers with friends rarely helps.
• Keep perspective. In most General subjects your internal assessments are 75% of your result; in Mathematics and Science subjects the EA is half.

Results are released at 9 am on 16 December 2026 in the myQCE Student Portal. See QCE results day and QTAC offers.