papers, sections, marks

HSC English exam format

English Advanced, Standard and EAL/D each sit two written papers worth 100 marks. Paper 1 (1 hour 30 minutes plus 10 minutes reading) is the Common Module: 20 marks of short-answer questions on unseen texts and a 20-mark extended response. Paper 2 (2 hours plus 5 minutes reading) has three 20-mark sections, one for each of the other modules. English Extension 1 is a separate 50-mark exam of two 25-mark questions, sat online from HSC 2027.

Last updated . An independent guide by Afterhour, not affiliated with NESA. Quoted syllabus text, exam specifications, marking guidelines and marker feedback are © NSW Education Standards Authority.

At a glance

The HSC 2027–2030 papers follow the 2024 syllabus. Students sitting the HSC in 2026 have the 2017 syllabus papers, underneath. Afterhour's practice papers for Advanced, Standard and EAL/D follow this shape, and every answer is marked; see how answers are marked.

HSC 2027–2030

English Advanced100 marks

  1. Paper 1 · Texts and human experiences1 h 30 min+ 10 min reading

    20Section I20Section II

  2. Paper 2 · Textual conversations, Critical study of literature, and The craft of writing2 h+ 5 min reading

    20Section I20Section II20Section III

block width: marks writing time reading time

English Standard100 marks

  1. Paper 1 · Texts and human experiences1 h 30 min+ 10 min reading

    20Section I20Section II

  2. Paper 2 · Language, identity and culture, Close study of literature, and The craft of writing2 h+ 5 min reading

    20Section I20Section II20Section III

block width: marks writing time reading time

English EAL/D100 marks

  1. Paper 1 · Texts and human experiences1 h 30 min+ 10 min reading

    20Section I20Section II

  2. Paper 2 · Language, identity and culture, Close study of text, and Writing2 h+ 5 min reading

    20Section I20Section II20Section III

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English Extension 150 marks

  1. Online exam2 h+ 10 min reading

    25Question 125Question 2

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HSC 2019–2026

English EAL/D: The exam will consist of two written papers worth 85 marks and a listening paper worth 15 marks.

English Advanced100 marks

  1. Paper 1 · Common Module – Texts and Human Experiences1 h 30 min+ 10 min reading

    20Section I20Section II

  2. Paper 2 · Modules2 h+ 5 min reading

    20Section I20Section II20Section III

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English Standard100 marks

  1. Paper 1 · Common Module – Texts and Human Experiences1 h 30 min+ 10 min reading

    20Section I20Section II

  2. Paper 2 · Modules2 h+ 5 min reading

    20Section I20Section II20Section III

block width: marks writing time reading time

English EAL/D100 marks

  1. Paper 1 · Module A and Focus on Writing1 h 30 min+ 10 min reading

    30Section I15Section II

  2. Paper 2 · Module B and Module C1 h+ 5 min reading

    20Section I20Section II

  3. Listening Paper30 minincl. listening

    15Listening Paper

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English Extension 150 marks

  1. Written paper2 h+ 10 min reading

    25Section I25Section II

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Full specifications, HSC 2027–2030

NESA's HSC exam specifications for the 2024 syllabus, word for word.

English Advanced

The examination will consist of 2 written papers worth 100 marks in total.

Paper 1: Texts and human experiences

Time allowed: 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 10 minutes reading time.

  • The paper will consist of 2 sections.
  • Section I (20 marks)
  • There will be 5 or 6 short-answer questions.
  • Questions may contain parts.
  • Questions will be based on stimulus and/or unseen texts related to Texts and human experiences.
  • At least 3 items will be common to English Standard.
  • Section II (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require an extended response based on the student’s prescribed text.
  • This question may include stimulus and/or unseen texts.
  • The question will be common to English Standard.

Paper 2: Textual conversations, Critical study of literature, and The craft of writing

Time allowed: 2 hours plus 5 minutes reading time.

  • The paper will consist of 3 sections.
  • Section I: Textual conversations (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require an extended response based on the student’s prescribed texts.
  • The question may include a stimulus.
  • Section II: Critical study of literature (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require an extended response based on the student’s prescribed text.
  • The question may include a stimulus.
  • Section III: The craft of writing (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question may be in 2 parts.
  • The question will require an imaginative, discursive, persuasive and/or reflective response.
  • The question may include a stimulus and/or unseen texts.

From English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus (2024): HSC examinations, © NESA.

English Standard

The examination will consist of 2 written papers worth 100 marks in total.

Paper 1: Texts and human experiences

Time allowed: 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 10 minutes reading time.

  • The paper will consist of 2 sections.
  • Section I (20 marks)
  • There will be 5 to 6 short-answer questions.
  • Questions may contain parts.
  • Questions will be based on stimulus and/or unseen texts related to Texts and human experiences.
  • At least 3 items will be common to English Advanced.
  • Section II (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require an extended response based on the student’s prescribed text.
  • The question may include stimulus and/or unseen texts.
  • The question will be common to English Advanced.

Paper 2: Language, identity and culture, Close study of literature, and The craft of writing

Time allowed: 2 hours plus 5 minutes reading time.

  • The paper will consist of 3 sections.
  • Section I: Language, identity and culture (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require an extended response based on the student’s prescribed text.
  • The question may include a stimulus.
  • Section II: Close study of literature (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require an extended response based on the student’s prescribed text.
  • The question may include a stimulus.
  • Section III: The craft of writing (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question may be in 2 parts.
  • The question will require an imaginative, discursive, persuasive and/or reflective response.
  • The question may include a stimulus and/or unseen texts.

From English Standard 11–12 Syllabus (2024): HSC examinations, © NESA.

English EAL/D

The examination will consist of 2 written papers worth 100 marks in total.

Paper 1: Texts and human experiences

Time allowed: 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 10 minutes reading time.

  • The paper will consist of 2 sections.
  • Section I (20 marks)
  • This section will contain 4 to 6 short-answer questions.
  • Questions may contain parts.
  • Questions will be based on stimulus and/or unseen texts related to Texts and human experiences.
  • Section II (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require an extended response based on the student’s prescribed text.
  • The question may include stimulus and/or unseen texts.

Paper 2: Language, identity and culture, Close study of text, and Writing

Time allowed: 2 hours plus 5 minutes reading time.

  • The paper will consist of 3 sections.
  • Questions may contain stimulus and/or unseen texts.
  • Section I: Language, identity and culture (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require an extended response based on the student’s prescribed text.
  • Section II: Close study of text (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require an extended response based on the student’s prescribed text.
  • Section III: Writing (20 marks)
  • There will be one question which will require an imaginative, discursive or persuasive response.

From English EAL/D 11–12 Syllabus (2024): HSC examinations, © NESA.

English Extension 1

Online examination (50 marks)

This examination will be undertaken by students using a computer.

The examination will be worth 50 marks.

Time allowed: 2 hours plus 10 minutes reading time.

Headphones will be required for questions with video and audio stimulus.

The paper will consist of 2 questions.

  • Question 1 – Literary worlds (25 marks)
  • The question will require a response to stimulus and/or unseen material.
  • The question may contain two parts or it may require a sustained response.
  • The question will require a critical or creative response, or both.
  • Question 2 – Electives (25 marks)
  • Students will be required to answer one question based on their elective.
  • The question may include stimulus.
  • The question will require a sustained critical response based on the student’s prescribed texts and related text.

From English Extension 11–12 Syllabus (2024): HSC examinations, © NESA.

Full specifications, HSC 2019–2026

NESA's HSC exam specifications for the 2017 syllabus, word for word.

English Advanced

The exam will consist of two written exam papers worth 100 marks.

Paper 1: Common Module – Texts and Human Experiences

The time allowed is 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 10 minutes reading time.

  • The paper will consist of two sections.
  • Section I (20 marks)
  • There will be five to six short-answer questions.
  • Questions may contain parts.
  • Questions will be based on stimulus and/or unseen texts related to the Common Module.
  • At least three items will be common to English Standard.
  • Section II (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require a sustained response based on the candidate’s prescribed text.
  • This question may include stimulus and/or unseen texts.
  • This question will be common to English Studies, English Standard and English Advanced.

Paper 2: Modules

The time allowed is 2 hours plus 5 minutes reading time.

  • The paper will consist of three sections.
  • Section I: Module A (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require a sustained response based on the candidate’s prescribed texts.
  • This question may include a stimulus.
  • Section II: Module B (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require a sustained response based on the candidate’s prescribed text.
  • This question may include a stimulus.
  • Section III: Module C (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question may contain up to two parts.
  • The question will require an imaginative, discursive, persuasive, informative or reflective response.
  • The question may require students to reflect on one or more of their prescribed texts.
  • This question may include a stimulus and/or unseen texts.

From Assessment and reporting (English Advanced Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)): HSC exam specifications, © NESA.

English Standard

The exam will consist of two written exam papers worth 100 marks.

Paper 1: Common Module – Texts and Human Experiences

The time allowed is 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 10 minutes reading time.

  • The paper will consist of two sections.
  • Section I (20 marks)
  • There will be five to six short-answer questions.
  • Questions may contain parts.
  • Questions will be based on stimulus and/or unseen texts related to the Common Module.
  • At least three items will be common to English Advanced and at least two items will be common to English Studies.
  • Section II (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require a sustained response based on the candidate’s prescribed text.
  • This question may include stimulus and/or unseen texts.
  • This question will be common to English Studies, English Standard and English Advanced.

Paper 2: Modules

The time allowed is 2 hours plus 5 minutes reading time.

  • The paper will consist of three sections.
  • Section I: Module A (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require a sustained response based on the candidate’s prescribed texts.
  • This question may include a stimulus.
  • Section II: Module B (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require a sustained response based on the candidate’s prescribed text.
  • This question may include a stimulus.
  • Section III: Module C (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question may contain up to two parts.
  • The question will require an imaginative, discursive, persuasive, informative or reflective response.
  • The question may require students to reflect on one or more of their prescribed texts.
  • This question may include a stimulus and/or unseen texts.

From Assessment and reporting (English Standard Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)): HSC exam specifications, © NESA.

English EAL/D

The exam will consist of two written papers worth 85 marks and a listening paper worth 15 marks.

Paper 1: Module A and Focus on Writing

The time allowed is 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 10 minutes reading time.

  • The paper will consist of two sections.
  • Section I: Module A – Texts and Human Experiences (30 marks)
  • This section consists of two parts.
  • Part A (15 marks)
  • There will be three or four questions based on stimulus and/or unseen texts related to Module A.
  • Questions may contain parts.
  • Part B (15 marks)
  • There will be one question based on the candidate’s prescribed text.
  • This question may include a stimulus.
  • Section II: Focus on Writing (15 marks)
  • There will be one question which may contain parts.
  • The question will require an imaginative, discursive, persuasive or informative response.
  • This question may include a stimulus and/or an unseen text.

Paper 2: Module B and Module C

The time allowed is 1 hour plus 5 minutes reading time.

  • The paper will consist of two sections.
  • Section I: Module B – Language, Identity and Culture (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require a sustained response based on the candidate’s prescribed text.
  • This question may include a stimulus.
  • Section II: Module C – Close Study of Text (20 marks)
  • There will be one question.
  • The question will require a sustained response based on the candidate’s prescribed text.
  • This question may include a stimulus.

Listening Paper (15 marks)

The time allowed is 30 minutes including listening time.

  • There will be four to six questions.
  • Questions may require an objective or short-answer response.
  • Listening material will relate to content explored in Module A and/or Module B.
  • Questions will assess the ability of candidates to listen with understanding and to respond to a range of verbal cues.

From Assessment and reporting (English EAL/D Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)): HSC exam specifications, © NESA.

English Extension 1

The exam will consist of a written paper worth 50 marks.

The time allowed is 2 hours plus 10 minutes reading time.

The paper will consist of two sections.

  • Section I – Common Module (25 marks)
  • There will be one question in response to stimulus and/or unseen material.
  • The question may require a critical or creative response, or both. It may be a single, sustained response, or it may be in two parts.
  • Section II – Elective (25 marks)
  • There will be one question, which may include stimulus.
  • The question will require a sustained critical response based on the candidate’s prescribed texts and related texts.

From Assessment and reporting (English Extension Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)): HSC exam specifications, © NESA.

Questions

How long are the HSC English exams?

For English Advanced, Standard and EAL/D from HSC 2027, Paper 1 is 1 hour and 30 minutes plus 10 minutes reading time, and Paper 2 is 2 hours plus 5 minutes reading time. Advanced and Standard have the same times in HSC 2019–2026; EAL/D's Paper 2 is 1 hour plus 5 minutes reading time, plus a 30-minute listening paper. English Extension 1 is 2 hours plus 10 minutes reading time.

How many marks is the HSC English exam out of?

English Advanced, Standard and EAL/D: two written papers worth 100 marks in total (from HSC 2027 for EAL/D; in HSC 2019–2026 EAL/D's two written papers are worth 85 marks and the listening paper 15). Each paper has 20-mark sections. English Extension 1 is one exam worth 50 marks, two 25-mark questions.

What's in HSC English Paper 1?

Paper 1 is the Common Module, Texts and human experiences. Section I (20 marks) is short-answer questions on stimulus or unseen texts (5 or 6 questions for Advanced and Standard, 4 to 6 for EAL/D from 2027), and Section II (20 marks) is one extended response on your prescribed text.

What's in HSC English Paper 2?

Three 20-mark sections. For English Advanced: Textual conversations (Module A), Critical study of literature (Module B) and The craft of writing (Module C). For English Standard: Language, identity and culture, Close study of literature, and The craft of writing. For English EAL/D from 2027: Language, identity and culture, Close study of text, and Writing.

Is HSC English Extension 1 an online exam?

From HSC 2027, yes. NESA's specification says it will be undertaken by students using a computer, with headphones required for questions with video and audio stimulus. In HSC 2019–2026 it is a written paper.