NESA HSC English Standard past papers
NESA has published 10 question papers for English Standard from 2021 to 2025, each with its mark scheme. They are listed newest first, and each one opens the PDF on nsw.gov.au in a new tab.
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Find a tutorAbout Tutoring for international studentsHow HSC marks become bands
NESA does not publish the raw exam marks needed for each band, to keep its standard-setting independent from year to year. What is fixed is the reported scale: your exam mark is aligned so that each band starts at the same reported mark every year.
| Band | Reported mark |
|---|---|
| Band 6 | 90 to 100 |
| Band 5 | 80 to 89 |
| Band 4 | 70 to 79 |
| Band 3 | 60 to 69 |
| Band 2 | 50 to 59 |
| Band 1 | 0 to 49 |
Source: NESA, Determining results (opens nsw.gov.au in a new tab)
"Do it in cookie" opens the question paper in a small window beside cookie (a new tab on a phone). Download it, then choose the file in cookie to time yourself, mark it and see its grade, and your score is kept in My papers. It is all optional, and the file stays on your device.
HSC 2025
2 papers
- Paper 1Question paper for HSC 2025 Paper 1 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: HSC 2025 Paper 1Mark scheme for HSC 2025 Paper 1 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 2Question paper for HSC 2025 Paper 2 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: HSC 2025 Paper 2Mark scheme for HSC 2025 Paper 2 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)
HSC 2024
2 papers
- Paper 1Question paper for HSC 2024 Paper 1 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: HSC 2024 Paper 1Mark scheme for HSC 2024 Paper 1 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 2Question paper for HSC 2024 Paper 2 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: HSC 2024 Paper 2Mark scheme for HSC 2024 Paper 2 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)
HSC 2023
2 papers
- Paper 1Question paper for HSC 2023 Paper 1 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: HSC 2023 Paper 1Mark scheme for HSC 2023 Paper 1 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 2Question paper for HSC 2023 Paper 2 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: HSC 2023 Paper 2Mark scheme for HSC 2023 Paper 2 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)
HSC 2022
2 papers
- Paper 1Question paper for HSC 2022 Paper 1 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: HSC 2022 Paper 1Mark scheme for HSC 2022 Paper 1 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 2Question paper for HSC 2022 Paper 2 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: HSC 2022 Paper 2Mark scheme for HSC 2022 Paper 2 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)
HSC 2021
2 papers
- Paper 1Question paper for HSC 2021 Paper 1 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: HSC 2021 Paper 1Mark scheme for HSC 2021 Paper 1 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)
- Paper 2Question paper for HSC 2021 Paper 2 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)Do it in cookie: HSC 2021 Paper 2Mark scheme for HSC 2021 Paper 2 (PDF on nsw.gov.au, opens in a new tab)
Common questions
Where can I find English Standard past papers from NESA?
This page links every English Standard paper NESA publishes for everyone to download, newest first, starting with HSC 2025. Each link opens the PDF on NESA's own website. The most recent series is usually released a year or so after the exam, and it will appear here once NESA makes it public.
Are there mark schemes for these English Standard papers?
Yes, every question paper here has a mark scheme.
Are there grade boundaries for English Standard?
NESA does not publish the raw exam marks needed for each band, to keep its standard-setting independent from year to year. What is fixed is the reported scale: your exam mark is aligned so that each band starts at the same reported mark every year.
How can I practise more English Standard questions?
Once you have worked through the papers, cookie has a practice deck for this course with fresh questions based on the specification and past papers, feedback on what you write, and spaced repetition.
Can I get help with English Standard?
Cookie Tutoring may have tutors for English Standard. The Find a tutor link keeps the subject and qualification filters from this page, so you can check the marketplace without assuming that a suitable tutor is available.
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cookie is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any exam board. Every paper here is a link to the board's own copy on its own website, and the papers belong to the boards that set them. If a link has stopped working, the board's own past paper page is linked on each course.