Options

What are HSC practical exam options
Options are an optional component of a practical course that allow students to choose from a prescribed list of subject areas outlined on the course assessment and reporting page.
In HSC Visual Arts, options also refer to the expressive form selected for a student’s body of work.
Submitting and updating options
NESA collects data on the optional component of practical exams for HSC exam scheduling and marking purposes in:
- Dance
- Design and Technology
- Drama
- English Extension 2
- Industrial Technology
- Music 1, Music 2 and Music Extension
- Visual Arts.
Option information is collected and managed through Schools Online.
To ensure that the data collected is accurate, it is essential that schools provide suitable staff with access to the appropriate functions on Schools Online.
NESA does not collect option data for focus areas in HSC Textiles and Design or topics in Society and Culture. Schools do not need to submit this information.
Deadlines
Refer to the timetable of actions for option submission deadlines.
Changes
Option changes can impact scheduling of the HSC practical exams. Supervising teachers are responsible for ensuring the accuracy of submitted data and updating records promptly to help accurate scheduling.
Options can be entered and updated through Schools Online while the function remains open. After the deadline when the function is closed, changes must be emailed to hscpracticals@nesa.nsw.edu.au as soon as possible.
The following details must be submitted:
- school name
- student name and number
- previous option and updated option.
Access to Schools Online
Practical exam supervising teachers should be given access to the following Schools Online functions:
- options
- certification of practical exams and projects
- memos and documents (guides).
Principals are responsible for managing their Schools Online staff profiles. For assistance, contact Student Records on:
Online Testing and Marking
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