The HSC Exam Timetable 2026 NSW is confirmed, giving Year 12 students a fixed schedule for the final written examination period. The 2026 written HSC exams will run from Tuesday, 13 October to Thursday, 5 November, with 123 written examinations scheduled across 18 exam days.
English Paper 1 opens the written exam period, while Physics is the final scheduled paper. Personalised timetables have been available since 1 May, allowing students to plan revision around their own subject combination rather than relying only on the statewide exam window.
2026 HSC key dates and major exams
| Milestone | 2026 date |
|---|---|
| Personalised written timetable released | 1 May |
| Language oral exams | 8 August–12 September |
| Written exams begin | 13 October |
| Written exams finish | 5 November |
| HSC results released | 16 December |
English Advanced and Standard Paper 1 are scheduled for 13 October from 9.50am to 11.30am. English Studies and English EAL/D Paper 1 are also held that morning, with the main Paper 2 examinations following on 14 October.
Mathematics Advanced, Standard 1 and Standard 2 take place on 19 October. Mathematics Extension 2 is scheduled that afternoon, while Extension 1 follows on 23 October.
Science students have Biology on 21 October, Health and Movement Science on 28 October, Chemistry on 30 October, Investigating Science on 3 November and Physics on 5 November from 9.25am to 12.30pm. Other major papers include Modern History on 16 October, Business Studies on 26 October, Economics on 27 October, and Legal Studies and Geography on 2 November.
Oral and practical HSC assessments start earlier
The October written timetable is only one part of the HSC calendar. Language oral examinations run from 8 August to 12 September, while practical, performance and submitted-work requirements for courses including Drama, Music, Dance, Visual Arts, Industrial Technology and Design and Technology follow separate schedules.
This means some students will complete important HSC assessments well before the first written English paper. Anyone balancing oral exams, performances or major projects should include those dates in the same study plan rather than treating October as the beginning of the assessment period.
For useful background on how results are interpreted across the state, the 2025 HSC school rankings and results analysis explains what school performance tables measure and where their limitations lie.
Students interested in subject-level patterns can also explore HSC subjects producing the highest scores across NSW schools. Historical results can provide context, but revision decisions should remain focused on a student’s own courses, strengths and confirmed exam dates.
Important changes for the HSC Class of 2026
The Class of 2026 will sit the new Health and Movement Science HSC examination for the first time, replacing the previous PDHPE Years 11 and 12 syllabus. The written paper is scheduled for 28 October.
This is also the final HSC examination year for the current English and Mathematics syllabuses before new syllabuses are examined from 2027. Students using past papers or older study notes should therefore make sure their preparation still matches the syllabus and exam format being assessed this year.
Students can check their personal HSC timetable through the official NESA Students Online portal, which provides individual exam dates and times as well as enrolment and results information.
A current timetable update is also worth noting: Students Online says 2026 HSC assessment ranks will be available from 12.30pm on 5 November until 4 December. HSC results are scheduled for 16 December, with the downloadable HSC PDF package available from 17 December.
Top NSW Schools in the 2025 HSC Rankings: The Confirmed Top 10
Australia’s 2025 HSC Results: Standout Students and Key Numbers
How to plan around the 2026 HSC timetable
The most practical approach is to work backwards from each individual paper. Subjects scheduled close together may need earlier preparation, while longer gaps between exams can be reserved for targeted revision and timed practice papers.
Students should also check the exact starting time rather than remembering only the date, as morning and afternoon sessions do not all begin at the same time. Keeping the personalised timetable alongside a simple revision calendar can reduce last-minute confusion and make the remaining weeks easier to organise.
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