Non-serious attempts

Last updated: 28 September 2023

NESA is authorised under sections 20A and 95 of the Education Act 1990 (NSW) to:

prepare and distribute to schools information relating to the conduct of exams and other forms of assessment for HSC candidates
determine rules and procedures for the conduct of the HSC exams
consider all alleged breaches of exam rules found to have a case to answer and determine penalties.

About non-serious attempts

NESA expects students to make a serious attempt at all school-based assessment tasks, HSC exams, and HSC minimum standard tests.
HSC students who do not make a serious attempt at the exam may not receive a result in the course concerned. This may render some students ineligible for the award of the HSC.

10.3.1 Non-serious attempt in an HSC exam or HSC minimum standard test

To meet the eligibility requirements for the HSC, students must attend and make a serious attempt in all their HSC exams.
For an HSC exam or HSC minimum standard test attempt to be considered a serious attempt, students must:
1. respond to and demonstrate academic engagement, and
2. answer in English, unless specifically instructed otherwise.1
Non-serious attempts include but are not limited to:
1. answering only multiple-choice questions, and/or
2. responses containing objectionable material:
  1. abuse directed at a member of school staff, Presiding Officer or NESA, and/or
  2. obscene symbols, drawings, or comments.

Please contact Student Support on (02) 9367 8117 or by email at studentsupport@nesa.nsw.edu.au.

10.3.2 Appealing a non-serious attempt

Students identified as making a non-serious attempt in an HSC exam will not receive a result in the course.
NESA will:
1. suspend the course at the release of HSC results
2. notify the student of the decision, and
3. provide the student with an opportunity to formally respond to the non-serious attempt determination.
To respond, students must:
1. submit a response by the date outlined in NESA’s correspondence to justify why they should receive a result in the course, and
2. include any supporting documentation they would like considered by NESA in its review of the non-serious attempt determination.
NESA may reinstate a course where there are reasonable grounds.
Students who fail to respond or provide insufficient reasons are subject to review by the Examination Rules Committee (ERC).
The ERC may impose penalties, including:
1. zero or reduced marks for the exam, and/or
2. course cancellation.
Penalties imposed by the ERC may render the student ineligible for the HSC.

Where NESA determines a student has made a non-serious attempt at an HSC minimum standard test, it will not be used to demonstrate the HSC minimum standard.
NESA will:
1. cancel the test result at the release of HSC minimum standard test results, and
2. notify the student of the decision.
Students may appeal NESA’s non-serious attempt determination on the basis that:
1. their responses do not constitute objectionable material, and/or
2. they have reached the maximum number of attempts for the test.
To appeal, students must:
1. submit a response to justify why they should receive a result in the test, and
2. include any supporting documentation they would like considered by NESA in its review of the non-serious attempt determination.
NESA may reinstate an HSC minimum standard test result where there are reasonable grounds.

Please contact Student Support on (02) 9367 8117 or by email at studentsupport@nesa.nsw.edu.au.