The NSW Higher School Certificate written examinations start this morning when more than 16,000 students will sit the Business Studies exam.

The Minister for Education and Training, Verity Firth, today wished this year’s record 67,931 HSC students ‘all the best’ as they embark on the last leg of their school journey.

“These exams mark the end of 13 years of schooling, and over the next four weeks, the class of 2008 will have the chance to demonstrate what they have learned.

“My advice to these students is to do your best on the day and as you finish each exam, put it behind you and take a fresh look at the next one.

“Remember 50 percent of your HSC assessment is already completed; and no matter what happens, there are many paths to reach your educational and career goals.

“I would like to acknowledge the hard work of the state’s Year 12 teachers and the support shown to students by their families.”

Today’s exams also include a number of community languages, Aboriginal Studies and Information Technology (VET) – all in the afternoon.

The two mandatory English exams will follow tomorrow (Friday 17 October) and on Monday 20 October. The final HSC exams take place on Thursday 13 November.

Exams will take place at more than 750 centres around NSW as well as overseas. Once again several schools in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have chosen to offer the NSW HSC rather than local credentials.

Some of the highlights of the 2008 HSC are:

• A total of 110 HSC exams will be held over 19 days in October and November.
• English is the only mandatory subject with 64,509 students
• Mathematics is by far the largest elective subject with 52,262 students
• Around one in three students are studying a vocational education and training (VET) course
• Almost half the students are studying at least one science course
• Almost a third are enrolled in a history course
• 516 sets of twins and 11 sets of triplets – a total of 1065 students – are sitting for the HSC exams.

“The HSC is a recognised world class education credential,” Ms Firth said.

“HSC students can be confident they are working towards a nationally and internationally recognised qualification and that the skills and knowledge they have gained will help them in further study and future careers.”

Year 12 students can access all the Board of Studies’ HSC resources, including their own personalised exam timetable and past papers in their courses as well as all the syllabuses and self-test quizzes, by logging in to studentsonline.bos.nsw.edu.au.

The HSC Advice Line phone service, providing support in 26 major subjects, will operate on 13 11 12 until 6 November.