How many units should you do for the HSC 10 or 12?

Struggling to decide between 10 or 12 units for your HSC? Learn the pros, cons, and which option gives you the best chance at a strong ATAR.

12 hours ago • 5 min read

By Manoj Arachige

One of the biggest decisions NSW Year 11 students face heading into Year 12 is: Should I stick with 12 units or cut back to 10 units for the HSC?

On paper, the decision looks simple. You need 10 units (including at least 2 units of English) to be eligible for an ATAR. Many students take 12 units in Year 11, then drop a subject for Year 12. But what’s the right choice for you? Let’s break it down.

How HSC Units Work

Each subject is worth either 1 unit (half subject) or 2 units (full subject).
Most students in Year 12 take 10–12 units.
Your best 10 units are used to calculate your ATAR. This includes at least 2 units of English.

So if you take 12 units, your “extra” subject might not count towards your ATAR—but it can still help in other ways.

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Option 1: 10 Units

Advantages:

More time per subject: Dropping a subject frees up hours each week for study, assignments, and rest.
Less stress: You only need to manage 5 subjects instead of 6.
Focus on strengths: You can dedicate energy to the subjects you’re best at (and the ones that actually count towards your ATAR).

Drawbacks:

No backup: With only 10 units, every subject counts. A bad exam or subject you struggle in can drag down your ATAR.
Pressure: Students sometimes feel “trapped” if they underperform in one subject, since they don’t have extras to fall back on.

Option 2: 12 Units

Advantages:

Safety net: Only your best 10 units count, so you have a buffer if one subject doesn’t go well.
Less pressure per subject: You can take risks with a challenging subject, knowing it might not count.
Broader learning: More subjects mean more opportunities to explore interests and skills.

Drawbacks:

More workload: 12 units = more homework, more assignments, and more exams.
Risk of burnout: Spreading yourself too thin can hurt your performance across all subjects.
Time management challenge: Less free time to revise deeply for your strongest subjects.

How to Decide: 10 or 12 Units?

Ask yourself these questions:

Do I have a clear “weakest subject”?
– If you already know one subject won’t help your ATAR, dropping to 10 units makes sense.
Am I confident in all my subjects?
– If you’re unsure how you’ll perform, 12 units gives you a safety net.
How’s my time management?
– If you struggle with workload now, 10 units can ease the pressure.
What are my long-term goals?
– If you need strong results in specific prerequisite subjects (e.g., Maths Advanced, Chemistry), cutting a less relevant subject could free time to focus.

A Common Strategy

Start with 12 units in Year 11.
Use your Year 11 results and teacher feedback to identify your weakest subject.
At the start of Year 12, drop down to 10 or 11 units if you’re confident.

This way, you keep flexibility but avoid overload in the final year.

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the “10 or 12 units” question. It depends on your strengths, goals, and stress levels. For some, 10 units provides focus and clarity. For others, 12 units offers balance and security. The key is to be realistic about what you can handle—and remember, quality matters more than quantity when it comes to the HSC.

Looking for more study tips to get through HSC? Here are some helpful articles: