Between 16 October and 7 November, nearly 75,000 HSC students sat more than 400,000 exam sessions in 123 different subjects, running across more than 750 exam locations.
This year’s exams included the assessment of new syllabuses in Geography, Software Engineering, and Computing, with the latter two examined online for the first time.
With the high-stakes exams finished, now comes the nail-biting wait for the first round of ATAR offers, which will be sent out to senior students later this month.
Wil Massara, founder of Youth Leadership Academy Australia (YLAA), spends all year inside school halls and classrooms working with tens of thousands of young people across more than a thousand schools.
“This year, what I’m hearing from young people is that the pressure isn’t really about the exams themselves, it’s about the fear of letting others down,” Massara told The Educator. “There’s a huge sense of responsibility to meet the expectations of parents, teachers, and peers.”
Massara says it’s less about the exam papers and more about the weight of how their performance is perceived and what it could mean for their future.
“They’re feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to get it right and, for many, it’s impacting their mental health.”
Massara’s key message is simple: An ATAR is information, not a verdict on who you are or what you are capable of.
He is calling on schools to work collaboratively with organisations like YLAA to embed leadership-based wellbeing practices into the way they support students during exam season, to create a generation of confident, compassionate and mentally resilient young people who know they are more than a mark.
Advice for teachers and parents
Massara says teachers and parents should recognise the effort that students have put into their exams, not just the results.
“Acknowledge the hard work, the late nights, and the determination, not just the grades,” he said “It’s important for young people to hear that their effort counts as much as the outcome.”
Teachers and parents should also flip the narrative on mistakes, says Marrara.
“Mistakes are not failures – they’re part of the process. Instead of focusing on what went wrong, help students see where they’ve learned and grown,” he said.
This mindset shift can take a lot of the pressure off.”
Perhaps most importantly, supporting balance and wellbeing is key during this time, Massara said, pointing out that stress isn’t helped by pushing students to the limit.
“Encouraging them to take breaks, get some fresh air, and rest is just as important as study time. When students feel cared for and supported, they’ll be better equipped to handle the stress.”
Peer check-ins making a difference
Massara said YLAA’s student leaders are quietly supporting their peers through breakfast clubs, check ins and wellbeing initiatives.
“Student leaders are absolutely nailing it when it comes to supporting their peers,” he said. “Breakfast clubs are a great example, they’re a chance for students to come together in a relaxed, supportive environment before the day kicks off.”
Massara said peer check-ins are also becoming more common, where students check in on one another’s wellbeing.
“Then there are the student-led wellbeing programs, mindfulness sessions, group activities, or even just providing a listening ear,” he said. “These student leaders are taking responsibility for their peers’ wellbeing, and that’s exactly what we need to be encouraging.”
Massara said it’s about empowering young people to take charge of their own mental health and look out for each other, without anyone having to tell them how.
Focus on what you can control
Shraddha, a Year 11 student in Queensland, said that with the many end of year assessment and exams approaching, they are feeling a mix of pressure, nervousness and the motivation to do well.
“There’s definitely stress and feelings of overwhelm, when wanting to do well and balance other school and family commitments,” Shraddha told The Educator. “However, I have realised that it is completely normal to feel this way and simply focus on what I can control.”
Shraddha said this includes their effort and attitude, and helping to cope through the pressure for achieving good results.
“To other students feeling stressed or anxious due to school exams and assessment, I would say that you are not alone,” Shraddha said. “It can be difficult, however focusing on what you can control will allow you to sit the exams better, by ensuring you have a positive mindset and give your best effort.”
Shraddha said it’s important to remember that every student has their own academic journey and comparing yourself to others hinders progress.
“Trust that these assessments are preparing you for greater success later down the track.”