Assessment
HSC examinations
The external HSC examination measures student achievement in a range of syllabus outcomes.
The external examination and its marking relate to the syllabus by:
- providing clear links to syllabus outcomes
- enabling students to demonstrate the levels of achievement outlined in the Performance Band Descriptions
- applying marking guidelines based on criteria that relate to the quality of the response
- aligning performance in the examination each year to the standards established for the course.
Examination questions may require students to integrate knowledge, understanding and skills developed through studying the course.
The Year 11 course is assumed knowledge for the Year 12 course.
Some students with disability may be eligible for HSC exam provisions when completing the HSC examination.
Dance HSC examination specifications
The HSC examination will consist of a written paper worth 30 marks, a practical performance worth 35 marks and a practical choreography worth 35 marks.
Written paper (30 marks)
Time allowed: 1 hour plus 5 minutes reading time.
The paper will consist of 2 extended-response questions.
Question 1 (15 marks)
- The question will require a response based on the prescribed dance work.
Question 2 (15 marks)
- The question will require a response based on the student’s prescribed practitioner and their body of work.
Practical examination: Performance (35 marks)
The Practical examination: Performance consists of two solo dance works and a structured interview.
Students will perform TWO solo dance works.
The first solo dance work requires the student to demonstrate the components of performance to communicate the intent specific to the context of the dance work. The first solo dance work will be 3–4 minutes duration and is worth 15 marks.
The second solo dance work requires the student to demonstrate dance technique and stylistic characteristics to communicate the intent of the dance work. The second solo dance work will be 2–3 minutes duration and is worth 10 marks.
The two solo dance works must be contrasting in the use of components of performance.
At the conclusion of the performance, a structured interview worth 10 marks will require students to communicate and physically demonstrate their applied knowledge and understanding of the context, style and the components of performance in the TWO solo dance works. The structured interview will be between 6–8 minutes.
Practical examination: Choreography (35 marks)
The Practical examination: Choreography consists of a choreographed solo dance work and a structured interview.
Students will choreograph a solo dance work of between 3–5 minutes duration worth 25 marks, to be performed by the student themselves or by another student from the school.
The choreographed dance work must be different from those presented for the Performance examination. Students must draw on their research of a prescribed practitioner as stimulus for the choreographed dance work.
At the conclusion of the practical component, a structured interview worth 10 marks will require students to communicate and physically demonstrate their understanding and skills related to the choreographic process, context and the components of choreography. The structured interview will be between 6–8 minutes.
During the structured interview, the student will draw on their research of a prescribed practitioner. The student will demonstrate how this research was used as stimulus and led to the intent of the choreographed dance work.
HSC Dance – Sample examination materials
Further information
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- Adjustments to assessment for students with disability
- Life Skills
- Assessment Certification Examination (ACE)