The HSC can be stressful enough without unexpected circumstances like illness, injury, or personal challenges affecting your performance. Fortunately, the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) allows eligible students to apply for special consideration to ensure their results fairly reflect their abilities.
This guide explains who can apply, how to apply, and what evidence you need, helping you navigate the process step by step.
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📌 What is Special Consideration?
Special consideration is a formal process that adjusts your HSC marks or provides additional support if circumstances beyond your control negatively impacted your performance.
It can include:
- Adjustments during exams (extra time, rest breaks, or a separate room)
- Consideration when marking your HSC exams
- Changes to assessment deadlines or conditions
Important: Special consideration does not automatically guarantee a mark increase — it ensures your situation is acknowledged fairly.
✅ Who Can Apply?
Students can apply for special consideration if they experience:
- Illness or injury during assessment or exams
- Significant personal or family issues (bereavement, serious illness, or trauma)
- Disability or learning difficulties not already accommodated
- Other serious and unexpected events affecting exam performance
💡 NESA treats applications on a case-by-case basis, so it’s important to provide strong evidence.
📝 How to Apply for Special Consideration
- Notify your school immediately
- Let your teacher, school principal, or HSC coordinator know as soon as possible.
- Some adjustments, like extra exam time, must be arranged before the exam date.
- Gather evidence
- Medical certificates for illness or injury
- Official documents for family emergencies or trauma
- Reports from psychologists or specialists for disabilities or learning difficulties
- Complete the application form
- Most schools provide the NESA Special Consideration Application form.
- Include all relevant evidence and details about how the event affected your studies or exam performance.
- Submit to your school
- Your school submits the application to NESA on your behalf.
- Keep copies of all documents for your records.
- Follow up
- NESA may contact you or your school for additional information.
- Decisions are usually communicated before HSC results are released.
⏱️ Key Deadlines
- Before or during exams: For support during exams (extra time, rest breaks, separate rooms).
- After exams but before results: For consideration in marking due to illness or trauma that occurred during assessment.
💡 Tip: Check your school’s HSC coordinator for exact deadlines — missing them may affect your eligibility.
💡 Tips for a Successful Application
- Apply early — don’t wait until after your exam results.
- Provide detailed evidence — generic letters or vague explanations may be rejected.
- Explain impact clearly — how did your circumstances affect your study, preparation, or performance?
- Keep copies of everything submitted.
Final Takeaway
Special consideration exists to level the playing field and ensure your HSC results reflect your true potential, even when life throws challenges your way. By acting early, gathering strong evidence, and following the proper process, you can increase your chances of a fair assessment.
What is special consideration for the HSC?
Special consideration is a process that allows NESA to adjust exam conditions or marks for students affected by illness, injury, disability, or personal challenges, ensuring fair assessment.
Who is eligible to apply for HSC special consideration?
Students experiencing illness, injury, significant personal issues, disability, or other serious and unexpected events that affect exam performance may be eligible.
How do I apply for special consideration?
You must notify your school, gather supporting evidence (medical certificates, official documents, specialist reports), complete the NESA application form, and submit it through your school.
When should I apply for special consideration?
Applications should be made as early as possible—either before or during exams for adjustments, or shortly after exams for consideration in marking due to circumstances that affected performance.
What kind of evidence is needed for HSC special consideration?
Strong, detailed evidence is required, such as medical certificates, official documents for family emergencies, or specialist reports for learning difficulties or disabilities.
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