The 2026 HSC written examinations in New South Wales run from Tuesday 13 October to Thursday 5 November 2026. NESA has scheduled 123 written examinations across 18 exam days, starting with English Paper 1 and finishing with Physics.
Find your course and its scheduled times below, then confirm your own exam details in NESA Students Online. This timetable covers written examinations; other assessments may have different dates.
2026 HSC Key Dates
Tuesday 13 October 2026
HSC written exams begin
Thursday 5 November 2026
HSC written exams finish
Wednesday 16 December 2026
HSC results released
The 2026 HSC written examination period covers 18 exam days across four weeks, starting with English examinations and finishing with Physics.
NESA is the authoritative source for the 2026 HSC written exam timetable. Students should also check their personalised timetable in Students Online before their exams.
Popular HSC subject exam dates in 2026
Use this quick-reference table for English, mathematics and several other courses. The listed start time is when reading time begins, not the time you should arrive at the examination centre.
| Course | Date and start time |
|---|---|
| English Standard | Paper 1: Tuesday 13 October, 9:50 am; Paper 2: Wednesday 14 October, 9:25 am |
| English Advanced | Paper 1: Tuesday 13 October, 9:50 am; Paper 2: Wednesday 14 October, 9:25 am |
| Modern History | Friday 16 October, 9:25 am |
| Mathematics Standard 1 | Monday 19 October, 9:20 am |
| Mathematics Standard 2 | Monday 19 October, 9:20 am |
| Mathematics Advanced | Monday 19 October, 9:20 am |
| Mathematics Extension 2 | Monday 19 October, 1:50 pm |
| Biology | Wednesday 21 October, 9:25 am |
| Mathematics Extension 1 | Friday 23 October, 1:50 pm |
| Business Studies | Monday 26 October, 9:25 am |
| Health and Movement Science | Wednesday 28 October, 9:20 am |
| Chemistry | Friday 30 October, 9:25 am |
| Legal Studies | Monday 2 November, 9:25 am |
| Physics | Thursday 5 November, 9:25 am |
Looking for PDHPE? The 2026 HSC timetable lists Health and Movement Science, which has its first HSC written examination in 2026 under the replacement syllabus.
Full 2026 HSC Written Exam Timetable
The course-by-course timetable below is organised by week and follows NESA's published schedule. All dates are in 2026. Start times indicate the beginning of reading time.
An asterisk (*) indicates an approximate finishing time. The † symbol marks a course in the Collaborative Curriculum and Assessment Framework for Languages (CCAFL). Check NESA's live timetable before your exam in case it has changed.
Jump to a week: Week 1 · Week 2 · Week 3 · Week 4.
Week 1: 13–16 October
| Course | Date | Start time | Finish time |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Advanced Paper 1 – Texts and Human Experiences | Tuesday 13 Oct | 9:50 am | 11:30 am |
| English Standard Paper 1 – Texts and Human Experiences | Tuesday 13 Oct | 9:50 am | 11:30 am |
| English Studies | Tuesday 13 Oct | 9:50 am | 12:30 pm |
| English EAL/D Paper 1 – Module A and Focus on Writing | Tuesday 13 Oct | 9:50 am | 11:30 am |
| Classical Greek Extension | Tuesday 13 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Classical Hebrew Extension | Tuesday 13 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:00 pm |
| German Continuers | Tuesday 13 Oct | 2:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Indonesian Extension | Tuesday 13 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Japanese Beginners | Tuesday 13 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:40 pm |
| Japanese Continuers | Tuesday 13 Oct | 2:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| English Advanced Paper 2 – Modules | Wednesday 14 Oct | 9:25 am | 11:30 am |
| English Standard Paper 2 – Modules | Wednesday 14 Oct | 9:25 am | 11:30 am |
| English EAL/D Paper 2 – Module B and Module C | Wednesday 14 Oct | 9:25 am | 10:30 am |
| English EAL/D Listening Paper | Wednesday 14 Oct | 10:40 am | 11:10 am* |
| Music 1 – Aural Skills | Wednesday 14 Oct | 1:55 pm | 3:00 pm* |
| Music 2 – Musicology and Aural Skills | Wednesday 14 Oct | 3:25 pm | 5:00 pm* |
| Indonesian Beginners | Thursday 15 Oct | 9:20 am | 12 noon |
| Classical Hebrew Continuers | Thursday 15 Oct | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Earth and Environmental Science | Thursday 15 Oct | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Tourism, Travel and Events (VET) | Thursday 15 Oct | 9:25 am | 11:30 am |
| Indonesian Continuers | Thursday 15 Oct | 9:30 am | 12:30 pm |
| Agriculture | Thursday 15 Oct | 1:55 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Arabic Continuers | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Chinese in Context | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:40 pm |
| Japanese in Context | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:40 pm |
| Korean in Context | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:40 pm |
| Modern Hebrew Continuers | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Spanish Beginners | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:40 pm |
| Spanish Continuers | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Vietnamese Continuers | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Armenian Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Croatian Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Dutch Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Filipino Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Hindi Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Hungarian Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Khmer Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Macedonian Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Persian Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Polish Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Portuguese Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Punjabi Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Russian Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Serbian Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Swedish Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Tamil Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Turkish Continuers * | Thursday 15 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:10 pm |
| Modern History | Friday 16 Oct | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Japanese Extension | Friday 16 Oct | 9:30 am | 11:30 am |
| Classical Greek Continuers | Friday 16 Oct | 1:55 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Hospitality (VET) – Kitchen Operations and Cookery | Friday 16 Oct | 1:55 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Hospitality (VET) – Food and Beverage | Friday 16 Oct | 1:55 pm | 4:00 pm |
| German Extension | Friday 16 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:00 pm |
Week 2: 19–23 October
| Course | Date | Start time | Finish time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics Advanced | Monday 19 Oct | 9:20 am | 12:30 pm |
| Mathematics Standard 1 | Monday 19 Oct | 9:20 am | 11:30 am |
| Mathematics Standard 2 | Monday 19 Oct | 9:20 am | 12 noon |
| Mathematics Extension 2 | Monday 19 Oct | 1:50 pm | 5:00 pm |
| German Beginners | Tuesday 20 Oct | 9:20 am | 12 noon |
| Engineering Studies | Tuesday 20 Oct | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Latin Continuers | Tuesday 20 Oct | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Primary Industries (VET) | Tuesday 20 Oct | 9:25 am | 11:30 am |
| Textiles and Design | Tuesday 20 Oct | 9:25 am | 11:00 am |
| Spanish Extension | Tuesday 20 Oct | 9:30 am | 11:30 am |
| Automotive (VET) | Tuesday 20 Oct | 1:55 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Society and Culture | Tuesday 20 Oct | 1:55 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Arabic Extension | Tuesday 20 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Chinese Continuers | Tuesday 20 Oct | 2:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Biology | Wednesday 21 Oct | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| History Extension | Wednesday 21 Oct | 1:50 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Business Services (VET) | Wednesday 21 Oct | 1:55 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Chinese and Literature | Wednesday 21 Oct | 2:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Latin Extension | Thursday 22 Oct | 9:20 am | 11:30 am |
| Studies of Religion I | Thursday 22 Oct | 9:25 am | 11:00 am |
| Studies of Religion II | Thursday 22 Oct | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Drama | Thursday 22 Oct | 1:55 pm | 3:30 pm |
| Chinese Beginners | Thursday 22 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:40 pm |
| Chinese Extension | Thursday 22 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Ancient History | Friday 23 Oct | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Electrotechnology (VET) | Friday 23 Oct | 9:25 am | 11:30 am |
| Mathematics Extension 1 | Friday 23 Oct | 1:50 pm | 4:00 pm |
Week 3: 26–30 October
| Course | Date | Start time | Finish time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Studies | Monday 26 Oct | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Science Extension | Monday 26 Oct | 1:50 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Construction (VET) | Monday 26 Oct | 1:55 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Modern Greek Beginners | Tuesday 27 Oct | 9:20 am | 12 noon |
| Human Services (VET) | Tuesday 27 Oct | 9:25 am | 11:30 am |
| Italian Continuers | Tuesday 27 Oct | 9:30 am | 12:30 pm |
| Korean Continuers | Tuesday 27 Oct | 9:30 am | 12:30 pm |
| Modern Greek Extension | Tuesday 27 Oct | 9:30 am | 11:30 am |
| Software Engineering | Tuesday 27 Oct | 9:50 am | 12:20 pm |
| Economics | Tuesday 27 Oct | 1:55 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Entertainment Industry (VET) | Tuesday 27 Oct | 1:55 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Health and Movement Science | Wednesday 28 Oct | 9:20 am | 12:30 pm |
| English Extension 1 | Wednesday 28 Oct | 1:50 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Information and Digital Technology (VET) | Wednesday 28 Oct | 1:55 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Retail Services (VET) | Wednesday 28 Oct | 1:55 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Korean and Literature | Wednesday 28 Oct | 2:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Italian Beginners | Thursday 29 Oct | 9:20 am | 12 noon |
| Korean Beginners | Thursday 29 Oct | 9:20 am | 12 noon |
| Dance Section I – Core Appreciation | Thursday 29 Oct | 9:25 am | 10:30 am |
| Dance Section II – Major Study Appreciation | Thursday 29 Oct | 10:40 am | 12 noon |
| Italian Extension | Thursday 29 Oct | 9:30 am | 11:30 am |
| Modern Greek Continuers | Thursday 29 Oct | 9:30 am | 12:30 pm |
| Enterprise Computing | Thursday 29 Oct | 9:50 am | 12:20 pm |
| Design and Technology | Thursday 29 Oct | 1:55 pm | 3:30 pm |
| French Beginners | Thursday 29 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:40 pm |
| French Extension | Thursday 29 Oct | 2:00 pm | 4:00 pm |
| Aboriginal Studies | Friday 30 Oct | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Chemistry | Friday 30 Oct | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Financial Services (VET) | Friday 30 Oct | 9:25 am | 11:30 am |
| Visual Arts – Art Criticism and Art History | Friday 30 Oct | 1:55 pm | 3:30 pm |
Week 4: 2–5 November
| Course | Date | Start time | Finish time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Legal Studies | Monday 2 Nov | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Geography | Monday 2 Nov | 1:50 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Community and Family Studies | Tuesday 3 Nov | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Investigating Science | Tuesday 3 Nov | 1:55 pm | 5:00 pm |
| French Continuers | Tuesday 3 Nov | 2:00 pm | 5:00 pm |
| Food Technology | Wednesday 4 Nov | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
| Industrial Technology – Automotive Technologies | Wednesday 4 Nov | 1:55 pm | 3:30 pm |
| Industrial Technology – Electronics Technologies | Wednesday 4 Nov | 1:55 pm | 3:30 pm |
| Industrial Technology – Graphics Technologies | Wednesday 4 Nov | 1:55 pm | 3:30 pm |
| Industrial Technology – Metal and Engineering Technologies | Wednesday 4 Nov | 1:55 pm | 3:30 pm |
| Industrial Technology – Multimedia Technologies | Wednesday 4 Nov | 1:55 pm | 3:30 pm |
| Industrial Technology – Timber and Furniture Technologies | Wednesday 4 Nov | 1:55 pm | 3:30 pm |
| Physics | Thursday 5 Nov | 9:25 am | 12:30 pm |
How to Check Your Personalised HSC Timetable?
The general 2026 HSC written exam timetable shows when each examination is scheduled, but you should also check your personalised HSC timetable through NESA's Students Online portal.
Your individual timetable helps you confirm your exam dates, courses and examination centre.
How to access your personal HSC timetable?
1. Visit NESA Students Online. This is the official portal for NSW HSC students.
2. Log in using your NESA student number and PIN. If you haven't activated your account, follow the account activation instructions on the website.
3. Find your personalised HSC exam timetable in your Students Online account.
4. Check your examination details. Make sure all your courses, exam dates, starting times and examination centre locations are correct. Check any practical, oral or optional examinations that apply to you.
5. Contact your school immediately if something is missing or incorrect. Your school can help resolve problems with your examination entries or timetable.
If you have trouble activating your Students Online account, contact your school for assistance.
⚠️ Important: Check your personalised timetable again before your exams begin. NESA advises students to read their schedules carefully, as misreading an examination timetable is not an accepted reason for an illness/misadventure application.
What Time Should You Arrive for an HSC Exam?
The start time listed in the 2026 HSC exam timetable is when reading time begins, not when you should arrive at the examination centre.
NESA recommends the following minimum arrival times for 2026:
What to check before your HSC exam?
Permitted equipment
Bring non-erasable black pens, appropriate pencils, a ruler and a clear, unlabelled water bottle. Calculators must be NESA-approved and permitted for your course.
Prohibited devices
Mobile phones, smart watches and other unauthorised electronic devices must not be brought into the examination room.
Online exams
If you take Science Extension, Enterprise Computing or Software Engineering, confirm the device and lockdown-browser requirements with your school.
⚠️ Important: Misreading your timetable is not, by itself, grounds for an illness/misadventure application. If illness or an unexpected event affects your ability to attend an exam, contact your school immediately.
For complete examination requirements, consult NESA's official HSC exam equipment list and 2026 HSC Rules and Procedures.
Use your HSC exam dates to plan revision
Start by marking any exams that fall on consecutive days or within a short period of one another. Those subjects will usually need more preparation completed before the written examination period begins, because there will be little opportunity for intensive revision between papers.
Then work backwards from each exam date. As the examination approaches, shift some of your preparation towards timed questions and past papers while still reviewing the topics where you are making mistakes.
Do not neglect a later subject simply because there is a longer gap before its exam. A four- or five-day break can be valuable for final revision, but it is rarely enough time to relearn an entire course.
When are the 2026 HSC results released?
The final scheduled written examination is Physics on Thursday 5 November 2026. After the final HSC written examination, NESA makes students' school assessment ranks available through Students Online for four weeks.
The 2026 HSC results are released on Wednesday 16 December 2026. Note that HSC results and the ATAR are related but are not the same thing.
Sources
- NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). (2026). HSC written exam timetable. https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/key-dates/hsc-written-exam-timetable
- NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). (2026). 2026 HSC Written Exam Timetable. https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/noindex/2026-05/2026-hsc-written-exam-timetable-01-05-26.pdf
- NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). (2026). HSC key dates. https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/key-dates/hsc
- NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). (2026). 2026 HSC Rules and Procedures — Term 4. https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/hsc/rules-and-procedures/2026-guide/term-4
- NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). (2026). Students Online. https://www.nsw.gov.au/education-and-training/nesa/hsc/rules-and-procedures/2026-guide/students-online
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