Record number of students prepare to sit Higher School Certificate

Minister for Education and Training Verity Firth today announced a record 69,261 students across NSW were getting ready to sit their Higher School Certificate.

Ms Firth said written exams would begin on Tuesday 20 October, beginning with Business Studies and Classical Greek.

"With final classes this week and only three weeks until the HSC, this is a challenging time for our students," Ms Firth said.

"However, students should remember that whatever the outcome, they have already accomplished a great deal in reaching this point.

"I wish every student in the HSC class of 2009 well in their exams."

Ms Firth said students would be able to access a range of resources to assist with their exam preparation, including an advice line and website.

"These services offer support in specific subjects, as well as past papers, self-tests and a personalised exam timetable," she said.

"I encourage all HSC students to utilise these services and ensure they get the most out of these final crucial weeks of preparation."

From 17 October, the HSC Advice Line 13 11 12 will provide support in 19 subjects.

Students can also access a wide range of HSC resources on the Board of Studies website at studentsonline.bos.nsw.edu.au.

HSC results will be available to students by internet, SMS and automated telephone message from 6am on Wednesday 16 December.

Students will receive their HSC Results Summary Notice in the mail from 18 December and their formal HSC credentials on 12 January 2010.

• Exams end on Friday 13 November, with the final exam in Information Technology.
• English is the largest course, with 65 171 students.
• 52 455 Year 12 students have chosen to study a Mathematics course, which is the most popular HSC elective.
• Almost one-third (31 per cent) of this year's HSC candidates will gain nationally recognised employment qualifications along with their HSC through their study of Vocational Education and Training courses.
• This year's three most popular languages are Japanese (1627 students), Chinese (1617) and French (1439).
• The female to male ratio remains stable at 52 per cent female students compared with 48 per cent male students - unchanged since 2002.
• There are 578 sets of twins, 16 sets of triplets and 1 set of quads undertaking the HSC. This compares with 516 sets of twins and 11 sets of triplets in 2008.