2020 HSC Merit Lists and Results - Fact sheet

Overall results

• In 2020, 66,402 students were awarded the Higher School Certificate and 54,678 students were eligible for an ATAR. A further 8,807 completed one or more HSC courses.
• Over the past decade, the number awarded the HSC has grown by 1256 students, the number eligible for an ATAR by 436 students, and the number completing at least one course by 3530 students
• 99% of students achieved the HSC minimum standard

Results from courses

• 45% completed English Standard, 37% English Advanced and 12% English Studies
• 84% completed a Mathematics course
• 46% completed a Science course
• 27% completed a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course
• 8% completed a Language course
• 3% completed a Life Skills course

Performance results

• Approximately 12% of course results were in the Top Band (Band 6 or E4), 40% in the Top 2 Bands and 70% in the Top 3 Bands
• About 97% of course results were above the Minimum Standard Expected (at least Band 2 or E2)
• These percentages have been essentially unchanged since 2010.
• 118 students achieved First or equal first in a course.
• There were 1,409 All-round Achievers, who were on the Distinguished Achievers List for at least 10 units of study.
• 778 students achieved one of the top places and a result in the highest band in one or more HSC courses and were awarded the Top Achievers Award.
• 17,507 students were acknowledged on the Distinguished Achievers List for 38,184 course results.

HSC minimum standard

696 (1%) students, otherwise eligible for the HSC, did not meet the HSC minimum standard.

Of the students who did not meet the minimum standard:

• 109 (16%) are yet to achieve the reading standard
• 532 (76%) are yet to achieve the writing standard
• 325 (47%) are yet to achieve the numeracy standard.

Of the students who were awarded the HSC 3% were exempt from meeting the HSC minimum standard.