Higher School Certificate results will be available ahead of schedule for recently graduated year 12 students who sat their exams in 2021. 

Students can view their marks four days earlier than expected at 6am on Thursday 20 January via text message or email, as NSW Education Standards Authority have completed the marking ahead of schedule.  

HSC exams began in November, with 76,000 NSW students, including the 823 students in the Orana Far West region who were enrolled for last year's exams. 

HSC exams finished on December 3, after the tests were delayed twice. 

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell announced that delays due to the COVID-19 Delta outbreak meant that exam start dates were pushed back for students' health and safety. 

"Last year we announced a number of changes to the HSC, designed to keep students safe and provide them with an opportunity to show what they know in exams. This meant delaying the start of the written exams and subsequently, the date that results could be delivered to students and schools." 

"I know markers, supervisors, exam and marking staff have worked tirelessly to deliver these final results, not only on time, but earlier than forecast, and I am so pleased we can share this news with students," said Ms Mitchell. 

Those awaiting results will now receive their HSC marks and Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) on the same day. Delays meant that the ATAR was to be announced first, four days earlier, to allow universities enough time to make offers to school leavers. 

Students are due to receive their ATAR as planned on 20 January at 9am.  

The new release date for HSC results means students looking enroll in university will have more time to priorities their course preferences. 

"This is a great outcome for our students, who we know are keen to receive their results and to finalise their plans for the year, whether that be heading to university, training or straight into the workforce," Ms Mitchell said. 

The HSC merits list, which recognises students who received the highest band in each subject, will be published on the NESA website from midday on 20 January. 

A ceremony congratulating those who achieved first place in their HSC course will be livestreamed from the NESA YouTube channel at 11am on 19 January.