World · East Asia & Pacific · 1 day ago
HSC students return to school and libraries for final exam preparation
Year 12 students across Sydney are making final preparations for the Higher School Certificate, or HSC, which begins on Tuesday.
More than 60,000 students are expected to sit the first exam, English paper one, and exams will continue until November.
At Moorebank High, recently graduated students have returned for study sessions, while teenagers are also filling public libraries.
Marrickville Library has extended its opening hours, giving students a place to study and support one another.
Some students have already received early university offers, but Tejal Ingale is preparing for exams because medicine at the University of NSW is not available through early entry.
About three in 10 school leavers use a non-ATAR route to university, and more than 28,000 students applied this year for a scheme that offers places based on year 11 results.
Those offers are due in November, while students without early offers must wait for their exam results and university decisions.
More than 60,000 students are due to sit the first HSC exam, English paper one, on Tuesday.
Year 12 students have returned to schools and libraries for a final period of study before exams begin.
The exams will continue until November.
Moorebank High School is running holiday study sessions, while Marrickville Library has extended its hours for students.
More than 28,000 students applied for the University Admissions Centre’s Schools Recommendation Scheme, which offers some students early university entry based on year 11 results.
- Who
- Recently graduated year 12 students preparing for the HSC.
- What
- Students have returned to schools and libraries to study before their final exams.
- When
- The first exam is due to begin on Tuesday, October 13, 2026; exams continue until November.
- Where
- At schools and libraries, including Moorebank High School and Marrickville Library in Sydney.
- Why
- To prepare for the HSC exams and, for some students, to pursue university courses.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I have to keep going forward. There is no point in losing myself because then I know I am not going to get anything done. Even if I am tired, I just have to push through.
It’s a bittersweet feeling. The end is near.
It has become this fantastic meeting place.
If one of … them is starting to struggle or have problems they’re among friends so that they can get that support.
Classes ended, and year 12 students returned to schools and libraries for final study sessions.
The article reported students preparing for the HSC exams.
The first HSC exam, English paper one, is due to begin.
HSC exams are due to continue until November, and Schools Recommendation Scheme offers are expected to be made.
- First HSC exam
- English paper one
- Students sitting first exam
- More than 60,000
- Moorebank High School
- Sydney’s south-west
- Marrickville Library closing time
- As late as 10pm on Thursday
- Schools Recommendation Scheme applications
- More than 28,000





