NSW HSC Minimum Standard Reading exam-day guide
NSW HSC Minimum Standard Reading · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the identification your school or test provider has told you to bring. The exact accepted ID can vary by venue and year, so confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether your student ID alone is sufficient.
Test session details
Know the date, start time, location or login details, and reporting time. Write them down or save them on your phone the week before the test. If anything is unclear, confirm with the provider rather than guessing.
Confirmed test format and device
Check whether you will sit the test on a school computer, your own device, or paper, and whether any practice or familiarisation site is recommended. Confirm with the provider if you are unsure what equipment is supplied.
Approved calculator and stationery
Bring pens, pencils and an eraser in case rough working is allowed. Whether a calculator is permitted and which models are approved depends on the test rules, so confirm with the provider before relying on one.
Any approved adjustments
If you usually receive adjustments such as extra time, a separate room, or a reader, confirm in advance that these have been arranged and how to access them on the day. Ask the provider how adjustments are requested and verified.
Water and a light snack
Bring a clear water bottle and a snack for before or after the session if your venue allows it. Check with the provider whether food and drink are permitted in the test room.
Arrive early
Aim to arrive with time to spare so you can find the room, complete any check-in, and settle without stress. Reporting times vary, so confirm the required arrival time with the provider.
Read the instructions carefully
Before starting, read the on-screen or printed instructions fully, including how to move between questions, how to flag items for review, and how to submit. Ask for help if something is unclear before the test begins.
Check your name and details
Make sure the name and details on your test session are correct before you begin. Report any error to the supervisor immediately so it can be fixed.
Plan your time
Note the total time and the number of questions, and keep an eye on the clock so you can attempt every question. Do not spend too long on any single item.
Know how to navigate and submit
Practise using the test platform if a practice site is provided. Know how to change an answer, flag a question, and submit, and confirm with the provider what happens if time runs out before you submit.
Calm and focus routine
Plan a short routine for nerves, such as slow breathing or reading each question twice. If you feel unwell or anxious, tell a supervisor; ask the provider in advance what options exist.
Plan the day
Confirm the date, time, venue or login details, and reporting time. Re-read any information the school or provider has sent you. Check which ID and equipment you need and set them aside. If a practice or familiarisation site is available, use it once to learn the navigation and question types. Get normal sleep and avoid last-minute cramming, since the test measures everyday reading skills rather than memorised content.
Pack your ID, stationery, water, and any approved items in one place. Confirm your transport and set an alarm. Check whether you need to bring your own device and whether it must be charged; confirm with the provider if unsure. Eat a normal meal, avoid staying up late, and skim any instructions about test format so nothing is surprising on the day.
Eat breakfast and drink water. Arrive at the venue or log in early according to the reporting time. Keep your phone off and stored as directed. Have your ID ready for check-in. Once seated, take a few slow breaths, read the instructions, and check that your name and session details are correct before starting.
Read each question and any passage carefully before choosing an answer. Answer the easier questions first if you can navigate freely, and flag harder ones to return to. Eliminate clearly wrong options, then choose the best remaining answer. Watch the time and leave a few minutes to check flagged questions and submit. If the system freezes or something seems wrong, raise your hand and tell the supervisor rather than trying to fix it yourself.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from supervisors and the test provider. If you are unsure about any rule, such as what is allowed at your desk, ask before the test begins rather than assuming.
Bring and present the identification required by your school or provider. Accepted ID can change between sessions, so confirm with the provider what is acceptable.
Keep phones, smart watches, and other unauthorised devices switched off and stored as directed. Confirm with the provider which devices are permitted and where they must be kept.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test and do not copy or share answers. Treat the test as an individual assessment.
If you need to leave the room, for example for a toilet break, follow the venue's procedure and ask a supervisor. Whether breaks are allowed and how they affect your time depends on the provider, so confirm in advance.
Report any problem immediately, including technical faults, incorrect details, or feeling unwell. Do not attempt to resolve technical issues yourself.
Your result is based on your performance in the test, and the reporting method and any retake or resit options are set by the provider. Confirm with the provider how results are issued and what happens if you do not meet the standard.
Arrive by the required reporting time. Late arrival may affect whether you can sit the test, and the exact policy varies by venue, so confirm with the provider.