Skip to content

A NSW Government website

Welcome to the NSW Curriculum website

NSW Government
NSW Curriculum
NSW Education Standards Authority
ACE Rules

NESA has published clarified ACE Rules on the NSW Curriculum website. Stay up to date with the clarified ACE Rules by visiting this website. 

The clarified rules come into effect from 14 October 2024. Schools must not implement the clarified rules before this date. Schools must use the current ACE Rules on Loading... until 14 October 2024.

To learn more about how NESA has clarified the ACE Rules, refer to the information sheets.

Completing HSC exams

Last updated:
Previous rule

NESA is authorised under sections 20A(2), 95 and 95A of the Education Act 1990 (NSW) to grant the HSC to students who have, to NESA's satisfaction:

  • participated in and completed appropriate courses of study approved by the Minister; and
  • met all other eligibility criteria.

Categories

HSC (assessment)HSC credentialHSC (curriculum)MalpracticeVET

About completing HSC exams

  1. A student must complete the required HSC exams for a course and:
    1. make a serious attempt at the exam
    2. write in English (unless instructed otherwise)
    3. follow NESA exam rules outlined in the Loading...
    4. follow the directions of the Presiding Officer, and
    5. follow the rules of the school where they sit their exam.
  2. A student who does not comply with exam rules may have their exam paper, oral exam, performance or submitted work for that course cancelled, potentially making them ineligible for their HSC.

Online resources

Related ACE Rules

For further information

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