This week sees the release of the 2011 Higher School Certificate merit lists.

First in Course – students who not only come first in a HSC course but whose result is in the top band – will be announced at special ceremony in Sydney on Tuesday December 13 at 12 noon.

The First in Course list of more than 100 high achievers will also be live on the Board of Studies website from 12 noon on Tuesday.

Wednesday December 14 sees the release of not only HSC results, but three more merit lists: the 2011 HSC Top Achievers in Course, All-round Achievers, and Distinguished Achievers. 

Top Achievers in Course are HSC students in the top places in each course who have also achieved a top band score.

Band 6 and band E4 for extension courses are the top bands. Students need to get 90-100 marks to be placed in band 6 or 45-50 marks for band E4.

All-round Achievers are Distinguished Achievers for courses totalling 10 or more units. Most HSC courses are two-unit courses. Students honoured in this All-round Achievers list may have been named in previous year’s Distinguished Achievers lists.

Distinguished Achievers are students whose results place them in the top band of a HSC course.