Essential Secondary Science Assessment (ESSA)

ESSA is a statewide Science assessment program based on the NSW Science Years 7–10 Syllabus, which mandates the teaching of science in contexts that assist students to see the relevance of science and to make meaning of scientific knowledge, understanding, skills, values and attitudes.

Download a brochure about the test (2527 kb pdf)

Download a parent  2008 information sheet about the test (30 kb pdf)

The ESSA test is for students who have completed two years of secondary schooling and learning in science. It is mandatory for all Year 8 students in NSW government schools. Non-government schools in NSW and independent schools outside the NSW jurisdiction are welcome to register for the ESSA test.

Download the information and registration package (61 kb pdf) for non-government and independent schools.

Students are asked to demonstrate their:

• knowledge and understanding in science
• skills in planning and conducting investigations
• skills in reading, understanding and responding to a range of scientific texts (which are presented in a stimulus magazine)
• skills in critical thinking and problem solving.

The ESSA test contains:

• three extended response tasks
• approximately 75 multiple choice and short response items.

The test results provide information about student achievements which are used to support teaching and learning programs.

Analysis of these results assists school planning and can be used by schools to monitor development of scientific knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes through time.

ESSA is held in Term 4 (late November) each year.

Schools will receive detailed reports containing data about individual student achievement as well as achievement of various groups within the school and the school's performance as a whole. Reports will be distributed to schools early in the year following the test. School staff will advise parents as to how and when the parent reports will be distributed.

Download a parent information sheet about the report (32 kb pdf)