A wide range of subjects examined today, from maths in the morning to smaller courses such as Automotive, Electrotechnology, Classical Hebrew, German Continuers and Textiles and Design this afternoon.

Another range of reactions to the Mathematics and Mathematics Extension 2 papers, however most feedback from teachers described exams that were 'demanding but fair'.

The Mathematics paper is attempted by both Mathematics and Maths Extension 1 students, which means the questions have to challenge the students taking two units and those taking three units of maths.

The mixed reactions from teachers to this paper are not unusual - today's comments range from 'more accessible for students than the past' to 'a bit different and a little more difficult'.  Teachers also felt the Mathematics paper asked students to 'think outside the square'.

All teachers speaking to the Board today said students should expect the last questions in any mathematics paper to be more difficult.  Specific to the Mathematics Extension 2 paper, a teacher noted the final question was 'very hard, as to be expected, and looked a bit daunting'.

The Board's marking and judging processes take into account any real difference in difficulty from year to year.  Detailed descriptions of exam setting, marking and judging can be found in the How Your HSC Works section of the Board's website.

This is the second HSC for the new Automotive and Electrotechnology curriculum frameworks.  Of the 710 students studying Automotive this year, nearly half attempted today's optional exam which included questions ranging from workplace safety to the chemical composition of components found in a lead acid cell battery.

In Electrotechnology, 167 of the 287 students chose to take today's exam. Students completing the Board's vocational education and training courses as part of the HSC may also gain nationally recognised workplace qualifications.  Students who also wish to have their HSC VET count towards an Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) must sit the optional external exam.