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11–12Legal Studies 11–12 Syllabus (2025)

Record of changes
Implementation from 2027
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 and understanding of themes 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.

Stage 6 - Year 12

The examination will consist of a written paper worth 100 marks.

Time allowed: 3 hours plus 10 minutes reading time.

The paper will consist of three sections.

Questions may include stimulus.

Section I – Core (15 marks)

  • There will be objective-response questions to the value of 15 marks.

Section II – Core (35 marks)

  • Questions may contain parts.
  • There will be 5 or 6 items.
  • One of these items will be worth 15 marks on The criminal justice system.

Section III – Options (50 marks)

  • There will be one extended-response question for each of the five options.
  • Each question will be worth 25 marks and will have two alternatives.
  • Students will be required to answer one alternative on each of the two options they have studied.
Stage 6 - Year 12
Stage 6 - Year 12