HSC Chinese Extension exam-day guide
HSC Chinese Extension · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID and NESA student number
Bring the identification your school or exam centre requires. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted, since rules differ between school-based and external candidates.
Confirmation of exam time, room and seat
Check your personal exam timetable and any seat or room notice issued by your school. Arrive early; confirm with the provider how early you should be at the venue.
Approved pens and spare pens
Bring several black or blue pens plus a spare. For Chinese writing, use the pen type your school has told you is acceptable; confirm with the provider if you normally write with a particular pen.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for multiple-choice or short-answer sections that require shading or drafting. Keep them in a clear container if your centre requires it.
Clear water bottle and a light snack
Label the bottle and check the centre's rules on food and drink in the exam room. A snack for after the exam helps if sessions run long.
Printed copy of your exam timetable
A paper backup is useful if your phone is collected or switched off. Note the start time, duration and any reading time.
Analogue watch
Many centres restrict smart watches or phones. Confirm with the provider whether a watch is permitted and whether the room has a visible clock.
Approved Chinese or bilingual dictionary
Dictionary rules vary by course and year. Confirm with the provider whether a dictionary is allowed, which type, and whether it must be inspected before the exam.
Notes or summary sheet for pre-exam revision
Keep revision material outside the exam room. Review key vocabulary, text references and essay structures only until you enter.
Transport plan and backup route
Plan to arrive with a buffer for delays. Confirm with the provider what happens if you are late, since late entry rules are not uniform.
Rest, hydration and a normal breakfast
Avoid last-minute cramming of new material. Sleep and routine matter more than one extra hour of revision.
Medical or special provisions documentation
If you have approved adjustments, confirm with the provider what documentation to bring and where to report on the day.
Plan the day
Move from learning new content to consolidating what you already know. Re-read your summary notes for prescribed texts or topics, practise one timed response in each skill area, and review feedback from past tasks. Confirm your exam time, room and any equipment rules with your teacher or the provider. Prepare your bag and clothes the night before each study day so the morning is calm.
Do light revision only: skim vocabulary lists, key quotations, text titles and character names, and your essay or response plans. Do not start a new topic. Check your ID, pens, dictionary permission and transport plan. Set two alarms, eat a normal meal, and aim for a full night's sleep. Confirm with the provider anything you are still unsure about, such as dictionary use or late arrival.
Eat breakfast and avoid heavy cramming. Glance at your summary sheet for structure and key terms, then put it away. Arrive at the venue with time to spare, follow signage and staff instructions, and use the toilet before entering. Once seated, read all instructions, check the paper for printing errors, and note the marks and suggested time for each section.
Use reading time to survey the whole paper and choose questions carefully. Allocate time by mark value and stick to it, leaving a few minutes to check. Answer in the required language and script, write legibly, and number responses clearly. If a question is too hard, move on and return later. For extended responses, plan briefly, use topic sentences, and support points with specific textual evidence. Leave time to proofread for grammar, characters and completeness.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from supervisors. Do not talk, signal or exchange material once the exam has begun, and raise your hand if you need assistance.
Bring only permitted equipment. Phones, smart watches and unauthorised notes must be left outside the exam room as directed. Confirm with the provider which devices and dictionaries are allowed.
Carry acceptable photo identification and be ready to show it on request. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted for your candidature.
Arrive before the scheduled start. Late entry is at the supervisor's discretion and may not include extra time. Confirm with the provider what happens if you are delayed.
Breaks and toilet visits are usually supervised and may not extend your writing time. Confirm with the provider how breaks are managed at your venue.
Marks are awarded for what is written in the answer booklets. Write in the specified language and script, label questions clearly, and do not write in margins or on question papers unless instructed.
If you believe an exam condition or paper has a problem, tell the supervisor immediately and follow your school's or provider's appeals process afterwards.
Academic honesty applies throughout. Any attempt to gain unfair advantage, including bringing unauthorised material, may be reported and penalised under the provider's rules.