NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) has implemented the HSC minimum standards to help ensure that students have the key literacy and numeracy skills for life after school. Students in New South Wales will need to demonstrate a minimum standard of literacy and numeracy to receive the HSC testamur. The HSC minimum standards are set at level 3 of the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). These skills are essential for everyday tasks and learning after school such as writing a letter for a job application or understanding a mobile phone plan. The standards are assessed through online tests which are 45 minutes long and include a multiple-choice reading test, a multiple-choice numeracy test and a short writing test based on a choice between visual or written prompts. 

Year 10 students and Year 11 catch ups will be sitting the HSC Minimum Standards Tests on the following days: