HSC students can now begin planning for their final exams, with the 2026 HSC written exam timetable officially released today.
From 9am this morning, around 80,000 students will have access to their individual exam schedules through Students Online.
124 written HSC exams will run over an 18-day window, starting with English Paper 1 on Tuesday 13 October and finishing with Physics in the morning of Thursday 5 November.
The release of the exam timetable marks an important milestone in the HSC year, giving students, teachers and families time to prepare for their final exam period.
In 2026, students will sit the new HSC Health and Movement Science exam for the first time, replacing the PDHPE Years 11 and 12 syllabus. This will be the last year that students are examined on the current English and Mathematics syllabuses, with new syllabuses being examined from next year.
Before students begin their written exams, close to half of the cohort will have already completed their first HSC exam – with thousands of students completing practical and performance exams in Term 3 and more than 50 language courses being examined in the oral exams from August.
Having access to exam timetables supports students to organise their study and prepare effectively in the lead-up to exams.
The full 2026 HSC written exam timetable is available on the NESA website, alongside language and practical exam schedules already available online. Schools will also have access to customised timetables through Schools Online.
NSW Education Standards Authority CEO, Paul Martin said:
“The release of the HSC written exam timetable is a significant moment for students as they progress through their final year of school.
“It provides certainty and helps students focus on their preparation as they approach this important stage of their schooling career.
“We thank teachers and school leaders for their continued support of students throughout the HSC journey.
“We wish the HSC Class of 2026 every success and encourage them to prioritise their wellbeing as they prepare for their exams.”
