Assessment
Course standards
Course standards are comprised of syllabus standards and performance standards. Syllabus outcomes and content form the syllabus standards that describe what students are expected to know, understand and do. Performance standards, including the Common Grade Scale for Preliminary courses, HSC Performance Band Descriptions and Achievement Level Descriptions (for HSC courses with grades only) describe how well students have achieved in relation to syllabus standards. Performance standards are used to report student achievement on NESA credentials.
Performance Band Descriptions for Music Extension
HSC performance band descriptions summarise the knowledge, understanding and skills typically demonstrated by students at each band level in a particular course. NESA uses these holistic descriptions to report a student's overall level of achievement in an HSC course.
Band E4
A student who performs at this level typically:
demonstrates extensive knowledge and understanding of a variety of music contexts and practices that shape musical intent and effect
demonstrates sophisticated evaluation of the relationship between musical intent and effect supported by insightful understanding and consistent use of evidence
presents cohesive, skilfully refined and sustained performances through the highly sophisticated execution of stylistic interpretation and advanced technical skills OR
presents cohesive, skilfully refined and sustained compositions through the highly sophisticated application of complex compositional techniques and ideas OR
presents an insightful, skilfully refined and sustained musicology essay through highly developed evaluation and the sophisticated application of inquiry skills.
Band E3
A student who performs at this level typically:
demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding of a variety of music contexts and practices that shape musical intent and effect
demonstrates skilful evaluation of the relationship between musical intent and effect supported by clear understanding and consistent use of evidence
presents cohesive, refined and sustained performances through the sophisticated execution of stylistic interpretation and advanced technical skills OR
presents cohesive, refined and sustained compositions through the highly developed application of complex compositional techniques and ideas OR
presents an insightful, refined and sustained musicology essay through well-developed evaluation and the skilful application of inquiry skills.
Band E2
A student who performs at this level typically:
demonstrates sound knowledge and understanding of music contexts and practices that shape musical intent and/or effect
demonstrates evaluation of the relationship between musical intent and effect supported by sound understanding and use of evidence
presents refined and sustained performances through the highly developed execution of stylistic interpretation and technical skills OR
presents refined and sustained compositions through the well-developed application of compositional techniques and ideas OR
presents a well- informed and refined musicology essay through developed evaluation and the application of inquiry skills.
Band E1
Performance reported as Band E1 indicates that the minimum standard expected was not demonstrated.