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Assessment Certification Examination (ACE)
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA)

COVID Changes for 2021

Changes to the RoSA and HSC rules and requirements for 2021

Last updated: 4 November 2021

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, changes have been made to curriculum and assessment for the RoSA and the HSC, as well as the conduct and operations of the HSC in 2021.

This ACE rule applies until 31 December 2021 or until it is revoked.

RoSA Requirements

Minimum Curriculum and Indicative Hours

The amendments below supplement ACE 4007, ACE 4006, ACE 4010, and ACE 4021 until 31 December 2021 or until this rule is revoked.

The related rules ACE 4003, ACE 4024, ACE 4030, ACE 4031 are unaffected and still apply to students in 2021.

Changes in 2021

Schools may select the outcomes and content that will form the basis of the educational program for Kindergarten to Year 10 students.

The educational program does not need to address all outcomes or all content of the syllabuses.

Schools will not be required to make up any lost hours or mandated requirements of the RoSA in future years as a result of changes made to rules and requirements in 2021 due to COVID-19. NESA will continue to provide principal discretion as per ACE 4016 in determining that a student has met the requirements for the award of a RoSA. For 2021, schools will be considered to have met indicative hours provided that they had in place timetables and arrangements that would have meant that in ordinary circumstances these requirements would have been met.

For more information

More information about mandatory curriculum requirements for 2021, including examples of flexible teaching and monitoring student progress, is available on NESA’s website.

Preliminary and HSC school-based assessment

School-based assessment of HSC Board Endorsed Courses

The amendments below supersede the corresponding information in ACE 8075 about the number and type of school-based assessments in Board Endorsed Courses until 31 December 2021 or until this rule is revoked.

This amendment also applies to assessments for grading as set out in ACE 5003.

The related rules ACE 5002, ACE 5004, ACE 8083, ACE 8095, ACE 8074, ACE 8093, ACE 8050 are unaffected and still apply to students in 2021.

Changes to school-based assessment in 2021

NESA has given principals and system authorities the authority to determine the number, type and weighting of tasks for Year 11 and Year 12 school-based assessment in 2021.

NESA’s principles of assessment continue to apply. Provided social distancing measures are maintained, school-based assessment should continue to be:

  • based on a range of syllabus outcomes
  • based on measures made throughout the HSC course
  • informed by the components identified in the assessment and reporting documents for each of the syllabuses
  • inclusive of and accessible for all students.

Weighting of marks for HSC school-based assessment

The amendments below supersede the corresponding information in ACE 8077 about weighting of school-based assessment tasks until 31 December 2021 or until this rule is revoked.

The related rules ACE 8083, ACE 8095, ACE 8074, ACE 8093, ACE 8050 are unaffected and still apply to students in 2021.

Changes to school-based assessment in 2021

NESA has given principals and system authorities the authority to determine the number, type and weighting of tasks for Year 11 and Year 12 school-based assessment in 2021.

This includes making determinations about all mandated tasks that are internally assessed in the following courses:

  • Aboriginal Studies
  • Community and Family Studies
  • Design and Technology
  • English: English Studies, English Standard, English Advanced, English EAL/D, English Extension 1 and English Extension 2
  • Engineering Studies
  • Geography
  • History: Ancient History, Modern History, History Extension
  • Language in Context Stage 6 (Chinese, Japanese and Korean)
  • Mathematics: Mathematics Standard, Advanced, Extension 1 and Extension 2
  • Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Earth and Environmental Science, Investigating Science, Science Extension, and Depth Studies).

NESA’s principles of assessment continue to apply. While schools are abiding by Health orders, school-based assessment should continue to be:

  • based on a range of syllabus outcomes
  • based on measures made throughout the HSC course
  • informed by the components identified in the assessment and reporting documents for each of the syllabuses
  • inclusive of and accessible for all students.

VET

The amendments below supersede the corresponding information in ACE 6012, ACE 8027, and ACE 8028 about VET mandatory work placement until 31 December 2021 or until this rule is revoked.

The related rules ACE 8019, ACE 8021, ACE 8032, ACE 8094, ACE 8099 are unaffected and still apply to students in 2021.

VET mandatory work placement

Students undertaking VET courses in 2021 will remain eligible for the Preliminary or HSC credit units if unable to complete work placement due to the direct impact of COVID-19.

Students commencing a 240-hour, 300-hour or 360-hour VET course in 2021 (and continuing the course in 2022) that has a mandatory work placement requirement, will meet the course requirement if they complete 35 hours of work placement. This is a reduced requirement for most courses. It is anticipated that the placement could be completed later in 2021, or in 2022.

Schools/colleges should remind students that the CHC Community Services, HLT Health and SIT Tourism, Travel and Hospitality Training Packages determine the work placement requirement for the following VET courses:

  • Active Volunteering – Stage 6 (VET BEC)
  • Disability (VET BEC)
  • Early Childhood Education and Care (VET BEC)
  • Hospitality (Framework)
  • Human Services (Framework)
  • School Age Education and Care (VET BEC).

Unit(s) of competency for qualification pathways available through these courses require demonstrating evidence of the activities outlined in the performance criteria during a defined period of work. Students unable to complete the qualification will receive a Statement of Attainment listing units of competency achieved. They remain eligible for the Preliminary or HSC credit units.

Students undertaking the VET course related to their school-based apprenticeship or traineeship (SBA/T) will remain eligible for the Preliminary or HSC credit units if unable to complete their minimum on-the-job training days in 2021. Training Services NSW determine the minimum days required for apprenticeship or traineeship qualifications. Schools/colleges should contact their school sector for further advice.

Schools/colleges should contact their school sector and/or registered training organisation (RTO) for advice regarding potential impact on competency-based assessment because of reduced work placement hours.

Work placement hours still need to be recorded in Schools Online. These should be actual hours completed, not the minimum hours required for the course. If no work placement is completed, zero (0) should be entered.

For more information

More information about VET mandatory work placement in 2021 is available on NESA’s website

HSC Minimum Standard

Minimum standard online tests

The amendments below supersede ACE 4062 until 31 December 2021 or until this rule is revoked.

The related rules ACE 4060, ACE 4061, ACE 4063, ACE 4064 are unaffected and still apply.

This rule must be read in conjunction with the eligibility criteria for the HSC minimum standard for Year 12 students in 2021, under the ‘COVID-19 Special Considerations Program’.

Students in Years 10 to 12 may demonstrate the HSC minimum standard by achieving Level 3 or above in the NESA minimum standard online reading, writing and numeracy tests.

Principals must nominate a test coordinator to administer the minimum standard tests.

Student entries for the minimum standard tests

In 2021, Schools may enter students no more than six times per calendar year to sit for each minimum standard test (ie six reading test attempts per year, six writing test attempts per year and six numeracy test attempts per year).

Students reattempting a test in the same domain must wait at least 14 calendar days after their previous attempt at that test.

Students may not sit for a minimum standard reading, writing or numeracy test if they have already demonstrated the HSC minimum standard (ACSF Level 3) in that test domain, unless they are leaving school.

Minimum standard test conduct, equipment and rules

Students must be supervised while sitting the minimum standard tests at school. Test Coordinators will work with principals and other teaching staff to arrange appropriate supervision. Schools should follow up-to-date advice from NSW Health when administering tests eg ensuring there is an appropriate distance between each student.

The minimum standard tests are delivered via a lockdown browser, which must be installed on the device used to undertake the tests. Schools can decide whether the tests will be taken using school computer equipment or student laptop/tablet devices.

Students may take a pen/pencil and a ruler into the minimum standard tests. The test supervisor will provide paper once students enter the test room. Students cannot bring their own paper into the test room. Paper must be checked by a test supervisor before the test to ensure it is blank.

The following other items are not permitted to be used:

  • calculators (where a numeracy question requires the use of a calculator, an online calculator will appear with the question)
  • mobile phones, smart watches or programmable watches
  • dictionaries
  • notes.

Students are not permitted to leave the test window, view any other websites during a test or access notes or unauthorised materials during the test.

Malpractice and breaches of minimum standard test rules

Schools must notify NESA of any instance of suspected malpractice or breaches of test rules as soon as possible after the test has been completed. Notifications should be forwarded to studentsupport@nesa.nsw.edu.au.

Results from a test where a student has been found guilty of malpractice or a breach of test rules may not be used to demonstrate achievement of the HSC minimum standard. In addition, students found to have engaged in malpractice, breach of test rules or have written a response considered offensive may not be permitted to re-sit the test for a period of up to 12 months.

Illness/misadventure for the minimum standard tests

Where a student is prevented from a reasonable attempt at a test due to school-verified illness or misadventure, the student may re-sit the test at another time.

If an incident occurs before a test starts, the school can arrange for the student to sit the test later in the same test window.

If the incident occurs during a test, the school may:

  • arrange for the student to sit another test at another time, or
  • request that NESA cancel the test, which would allow re-enrolment in the same test at another time.

Illness/misadventure enquiries should be forwarded to LNsupport@nesa.nsw.edu.au.

NESA makes no provision for school-based assessment or estimated marks to be substituted for minimum standard online test results.

HSC Examination Operations

HSC Examinations: setting up the examination centre

The amendments below supersede ACE 9013 until 31 December 2021 or until this rule is revoked.

This rule must be read in conjunction with the ‘COVID-19 Special Considerations Program in 2021’.

Each presiding officer consults with the principal on the physical set up of the centre. The principal may nominate a staff member as coordinator.

Before the first examination, attention needs to be paid to:

  • current COVID-19 requirements as specified by the HSC COVID Safe Written Exam protocols, supported by School Sectors and NSW Health
  • accommodation, furniture and examination equipment (with specific regard to COVID-safe protocols)
  • students with disability provisions approval, including visiting students (see also information on the Higher School Certificate Disability Provisions Program)
  • receipt and secure storage of examination answer booklets and other material.

HSC Examinations: accommodation

The amendments below supersede ACE 9008 until 31 December 2021 or until this rule is revoked.

This rule must be read in conjunction with the ‘COVID-19 Special Considerations Program in 2021’.

Schools must provide suitable accommodation for the Higher School Certificate examinations.

Accommodation must be adequately lit and ventilated and as free as possible from external noise. Accommodation for students requiring disability provisions needs particular attention.

For the health and safety of students and supervisors, this accommodation must comply with the HSC COVID Safe Written Exam protocols, supported by school sectors and NSW Health.

A student’s home school provides the examination centre for all of his/her examinations, even if the course is studied through TAFE, another school or a private provider.

External disturbances such as bells need to be kept to a minimum for the duration of the examinations.

COVID-19 Special Consideration Program 2021

The COVID-19 Special Consideration Program is available for the HSC written examinations for students who have suffered severe disruption in learning from home and completing their HSC coursework during lockdown.

The program is also available to eligible Year 12 students who have not met the HSC Minimum Standard yet and for students whose performance exam, submitted work or major project has been significantly impacted by COVID-19 restrictions.

HSC written examinations

The amendments below apply to students who are enrolled in HSC courses with examinations in 2021 only.

The amendments below do not affect related rules ACE 8042, ACE 8095, ACE 8096, ACE 9015, ACE 11002, ACE 11003, ACE 11004 and ACE 11005. These rules continue to apply to students in 2021.

Students with an application under the COVID-19 Special Consideration Program are still required to sit the written exam to complete the requirements of the course.

The usual illness/misadventure program continues to be available to students who suffer illness or misadventure at the time of an examination, including requirements to self-isolate due to COVID-19.

Eligible students under this program

HSC students whose learning was significantly compromised for 6 weeks (30 school days) or more because of COVID-19 restrictions, ie:

  • they had no or very limited access to the internet or learning materials; or
  • they lost access to essential specialised educational support; or
  • the student’s home arrangements significantly compromised their participation in, and ability to undertake remote learning and complete coursework.

Group applications can only be made by schools in the following LGAs of concern:

  • Bayside
  • Burwood
  • Strathfield
  • Penrith
  • Campbelltown
  • Georges River
  • Parramatta
  • Blacktown
  • Cumberland
  • Canterbury/Bankstown
  • Fairfield
  • Liverpool.

Individual and group applications

Schools must submit an application to NESA for an individual or group Special Consideration for HSC written examinations by 12 November 2021. NESA will not consider applications submitted after this date, unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Appeals process

Schools may appeal to NESA. Independent NESA officers will review appeals.

For more information

More information about the COVID-19 Special Consideration Program, including the process, is available on NESA’s website.

HSC performance and language oral exams, major projects and submitted works

The amendments below apply till 31 December 2021 or until this rule is revoked.

The amendments do not affect related rules ACE 9016, ACE 9017, ACE 9018, ACE 9019, ACE 9020 and ACE 9021. These rules continue to apply to students in 2021.

Eligible students under this program

1. All HSC students with these exam components:

  • Performance exams for Dance, Drama and Music
  • Viva Voce (Music 1)
  • Sight singing (Music 2)
  • Submitted works for Drama
  • Oral exams for all modern languages
  • Major projects (including folio) for:
    • Textiles and Design
    • Design and Technology
    • Industrial Technology
    • Visual Arts body of work.

2. HSC students whose preparation or completion of the following major projects or submitted works is substantially impacted by COVID-19 restrictions (eg loss of access to specialist facilities):

  • English Extension 2
  • Society and Culture
  • Music 2 and Extension (compositions and Musicology)
  • Music 1 (compositions)

Marking

Teachers will mark or estimate a mark for the exam or major project.

The teacher-provided mark can be based on:

  • an exam: Teachers can have students sit their performance or language oral exam by the end of Term 3. The exam can be completed by phone, online or at school (where permitted) in line with the Health advice, at a time that suits their local needs. Schools need to follow COVID safety rules.
  • school-based assessment task that has been completed recently.

The mark should only take into account any impact from COVID-19 restrictions. If there are other factors that have impacted the student’s ability to complete the exam or project (eg a broken leg), the teacher should submit an application for illness/misadventure.

Teacher-provided marks for the COVID-19 Special Consideration Program are due to NESA by 22 October 2021.

NESA will moderate the teacher-provided mark using the student's and cohort's performance in externally-marked components of the course (including the written exam).

For more information

More information about the COVID-19 Special Consideration Program, including the process, is available on NESA’s website.

HSC minimum standard for Year 12 students in 2021

The amendments below only apply to eligible Year 12 students completing their HSC in 2021, and supersede information about demonstrating the HSC minimum standard in ACE 4060, ACE 4062, ACE 4064. This rule applies until 31 December 2021, or until it is revoked.

Rules ACE 4060, ACE 4062, ACE 4064 still apply to non-eligible students, unless another rule overrides them.

The related rules ACE 4061, ACE 4063, ACE 4065 are unaffected and still apply to all students in 2021.

Eligible students affected by this rule change

In 2021, the COVID-19 Special Consideration Program (the Program) includes a category that allows principals to certify whether eligible Year 12 students have met the HSC minimum standard.

Year 12 students who have not met the HSC minimum standard by 17 September 2021 are eligible to be considered under the Program if they are:

  • otherwise eligible for the award of the HSC in 2021 (see ACE 8004)
  • yet to meet the HSC minimum standard (ie have not demonstrated the minimum standard in reading, writing and/or numeracy)
  • not exempt from demonstrating the minimum standard in literacy and/or numeracy
  • not under a malpractice penalty in effect from 20 September 2021 until 31 December 2021.

Students who have met the HSC minimum standard prior to 17 September 2021 are not eligible for the Program.

NESA will identify eligible students and advise schools.

Principal certification of the HSC minimum standard

After 17 September 2021, eligible Year 12 students will not sit online tests for the remainder of 2021.

Principals must certify, by 13 December 2021, whether these students have demonstrated the HSC minimum standard. Principals must nominate an appropriate teacher(s) to assess whether eligible students have met the HSC minimum standard.

Confirmation statements by principals

Principals will confirm the following statements on Schools Online when completing the certification process:

  • I certify the above student(s) have met the HSC minimum standard for the indicated domain(s).
  • Appropriate processes have been implemented to ensure that the determination of HSC minimum standard for identified students is valid, correct and aligned to the Achievement Level Descriptions
  • Appropriate checks have been carried out to verify the completeness and accuracy of all determinations of HSC minimum standard for the student(s) identified, and I am satisfied that there are no errors or omissions.

Appeals process

Schools must establish an appeals process and communicate the process to students. Appeals process must conclude before 13 December 2021. Final certifications must be entered by 13 December 2021.

Students who did not meet the HSC minimum standard in 2021

Students can demonstrate the standard post-Year 12 by sitting online tests (see ACE 4065).

Further information

More information is available on NESA’s website and Schools Online.