HSC exam timetable 2026

HSC exam timetable 2026 for maths and science

This table lists every written exam for maths, science and the computing courses we cover, in date order, read from NESA's 2026 HSC written exam timetable. NESA numbers the exam days "HSC Day 1" to "HSC Day 18", shown in the first column. The times are as printed on the timetable, which means the start time is when reading time begins.

The Mathematics Advanced paper, the first of the maths exams, was HSC Day 5. A student taking Biology, Chemistry and Physics had 15 days between the first science exam on 21 October and the last on 5 November. Mathematics Extension 2 was on the same day as Mathematics Advanced, in the afternoon.

How the 2026 HSC exam period was laid out

NESA ran the exams over four weeks: week 1 from Tuesday 13 to Friday 16 October, week 2 from Monday 19 to Friday 23 October, week 3 from Monday 26 to Friday 30 October, and week 4 from Monday 2 to Thursday 5 November. Monday 12 October and Friday 6 November had no exams. Our subjects fall in weeks 2 to 4, with maths in week 2, Chemistry in week 3 and Physics in the last week.

Start times, arrival and the rules on the day

• The start time on your timetable is when reading time begins. NESA says to arrive well before it, to allow for seating, checks and instructions.
• No extra time is given if you miss an exam because you misread your timetable. Check it carefully, and if anything is missing or wrong, tell your school immediately.
• Your personalised timetable, on Students Online, also lists other exams such as languages orals and performance exams.
• If a VET HSC exam is not on your timetable, you are not entered. Contact your school as soon as possible.
• NESA says it will update the timetable and tell schools directly if any dates change.

NESA's timetable page also points to its advice on exam equipment, including approved calculators, and to the 2026 Higher School Certificate Rules and Procedures guide. Read both before the day.

After the exams: results and what comes next

NESA says HSC results are released on Wednesday 16 December 2026, and UAC releases ATARs on its website from 9 am the same day. Students can see their assessment ranks on Students Online for four weeks after the last written exam. Read HSC results 2026 for what comes with the results and HSC bands explained for what a band means.

Next year's HSC dates

NESA has published the main 2027 dates but not yet the subject timetable. HSC written exams start on Wednesday 13 October 2027 and finish no later than Friday 5 November 2027, and HSC results are due on Wednesday 15 December 2027. NESA expects to release the 2027 personalised written exam timetable on Friday 30 April 2027. We will not list exam days for 2027 until NESA publishes them.

Use the daily papers as a short trial

Our papers are short timed papers of 8 questions worth 25 to 35 marks, not a full HSC exam. Sit Year 12 Maths before the Mathematics exam, or Year 12 Physics, Year 12 Chemistry or Year 12 Biology before yours, to practise working to the clock. See HSC trials for how the trial exams fit into the year.

Common mistakes with the HSC timetable

• Reading the start time as the writing time. The time on the timetable is when reading time begins.
• Using a friend's timetable. Your enrolments set your timetable, and some courses have more than one paper.
• Relying on a school list. The timetable on Students Online and the NESA page are the ones that count.
• Arriving at the start time. NESA says to arrive well before it.

Read next

Australia · HSCHSC Maths: Courses, 2027 Exams and Practice QuestionsHSC maths explained: Standard, Advanced, Extension 1 and 2, the new syllabus first examined in 2027, exam formats, worked questions and free daily trials.