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Getting ready for the exams

HSC enrolment procedures
Application for special examination provisions
School contact people
Time management and study skills

HSC enrolment procedures

Schools are required to advise the Board of Studies by the middle of March of the details of all students who are presenting for the Higher School Certificate. Schools do this via the Board's web site and the Schools Online function.
You can obtain information on all of the courses available for study from the Board of Studies web site.

If your child is studying by self-tuition, he or she needs to contact the Board of Studies for a paper entry form. Self-tuition students must enrol prior to 30 June each year.

HSC Confirmation of Entry
When a school enters a student for the Higher School Certificate, the student should then be provided with a Confirmation of Entry produced from Schools Online.

The Confirmation of Entry will list all the courses the student is entered for, indicate their unit value, and state whether the student is eligible for an HSC and UAI. It will also include the student’s name and address details, and his or her student number.

It is important that your child checks the Confirmation of Entry carefully, signs it and returns it promptly to the school. Any changes or corrections must be communicated to the school immediately.

Note that students cannot change courses unless the school principal is satisfied that they:

• have satisfactorily completed the Preliminary component of the course and
• will be able to complete all HSC course requirements, including assessment tasks.

The Universities Admission Index (UAI) is a measure of academic achievement in the HSC that assists institutions to rank applicants for selection to tertiary education courses. The UAI is calculated by the tertiary institutions and released by the University Admissions Centre (UAC).

It is important to keep the student number in a safe place, as this is a means of identification on all examination booklets and can be used by your child to access his or her results via the Internet or telephone.

Identification photographs
Your child will require at least one passport-size photograph during Year 12.

All HSC students are required to provide photographic proof of identity before sitting for HSC examinations. Students are required to attach a passport-size photograph of themselves which is certified by the principal or a Justice of the Peace and then attached to the Written Examination Photograph Collection Form.

These forms are usually completed and retained at the school and then given to the Higher School Certificate Presiding Officer of the examination location. Some schools have introduced their own student identification cards which may be used in place of the forms. The forms are usually sent to schools in August.

Students enrolled in courses requiring performance before an examination panel, for example music, drama, dance, are required to provide another passport-size photograph for identification purposes. These photographs are usually submitted to the Board of Studies towards the end of Term 2.

Application for special examination provisions

The Board of Studies has specifically developed the special examination provisions program to assist students in completing the School Certificate and Higher School Certificate examinations.

The aim of the Board of Studies is to offer practical support to students through provisions such as special coloured examination papers, rest breaks, writers or readers.

If your child has a special examination need, whether it is related to a physical condition, visual impairment, hearing loss, or trouble expressing ideas in writing, contact the year adviser, school counsellor or subject teacher.

Application forms are available from your school. The closing date for applications is usually in Term 4 of Year 11 and later applications in Term 1 of the HSC year.

School contact people

All students are responsible for meeting the criteria set down by the Board of Studies in order to receive their Higher School Certificate. However, if things become difficult along the way, there are several people in schools who can be of help.

School counsellor The school counsellor is a teacher who has undergone specialised training to assist students, teachers and parents. Assistance covers such areas as developing study skills, exam preparation, responding to difficulties at school situations or family concerns which impact on school life.

Careers adviser The careers adviser is the person to consult regarding

• appropriate course choices for Years 11 and 12
• advice on enrolment and entry into tertiary institutions or work placement
• information regarding open days, careers expos, lectures and study days
• information on the variety of HSC courses on offer, for example Vocational Education Training (VET) , Board Courses, Content Endorsed Courses, credit transfer from HSC to TAFE.

Year adviser or form patron This role differs from school to school but usually this is the person who looks after the welfare of students in the particular year group.

If your child is ill or has suffered a circumstance that may impact on his or her performance in the HSC or any other related activity, consult the year adviser first.

Students requiring special provisions or who need to complete an Illness or Misadventure form should seek advice from the year adviser.

If the student is absent for a period of time or is unable to complete any assessment tasks, the year adviser and head teachers of the relevant subject(s) should be notified.

Subject head teacher or coordinator
Any inquiries regarding a particular subject should be directed to the head teacher or coordinator of that subject. This may include issues such as student performance, course content, and policy on assessment tasks.

Time management and study skills

Many students find it difficult to organise their time and settle down to studying effectively. This can cause great tension in the household as you try to support and encourage your child.

The following sites contain information and strategies that may help.

• Study and Exams node of NSW HSC Online contains advice, strategies and links to a number of helpful sites