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11–12English Advanced 11–12 Syllabus (2024)

Record of changes
Implementation from 2026
Expand for detailed implementation advice
OverviewRationaleAimOutcomesContentAssessmentGlossaryTeaching and learning support

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.

English Advanced HSC examination specifications

Stage 6 - Year 12

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.

HSC English Advanced – annotated sample examination materials

Stage 6 - Year 12

Further information

Stage 6 - Year 12