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NESA exam resources

Recheck these links

Both NESA links above should be rechecked in Term 4 2026 / Term 1 2027 as the syllabus goes live statewide — URLs on curriculum.nsw.edu.au have moved before during syllabus transitions.

Calculators

NESA-approved calculator list — TODO: link/summary.

Command verb glossary

The single biggest source of lost marks isn't missing content — it's answering the wrong kind of question. "Identify the force" and "Explain the force" both expect you to know the same physics, but they want completely different answers. Match the verb, match the depth.

Roughly, verb choice tracks the three-tier system used across this site: Identify / Describe / Outline sit at 🟢 Core recall level, Explain / Analyse / Solve problems using are still 🟢 Core but need working shown, and Derive / Evaluate / Account for are where 🔵 Advanced framing tends to live.

Verb What it actually wants
Identify Pick it out / name it. No reasoning required.
Recall State from memory. No reasoning required.
Define State the precise meaning of a term.
Outline Give the main features only — a sketch, not a full picture.
Describe Give an account of what something is or how it happens — no why required.
Summarise Express the main points concisely, leaving out detail.
Explain Give the why or how — relate cause to effect, make it plain.
Discuss Explain, then weigh up different points of view or issues around it.
Compare Show similarities and differences between two or more things.
Contrast Show differences only, by setting things side by side.
Distinguish State the difference(s) between two things that could be confused.
Analyse Break something down to identify parts, relationships, or how it works.
Apply Use knowledge/a relationship in a new, specific situation.
Calculate Find a numerical answer, showing the working.
Solve Find the answer to a problem using a method or relationship.
Derive Arrive at a result mathematically, from first principles or given relationships.
Interpret Draw meaning from information, e.g. a graph, data set, or diagram.
Investigate Plan, carry out, or examine systematically to establish facts.
Justify Support an argument or conclusion with evidence or reasoning.
Account for State reasons for — essentially "explain why," often for something perhaps unexpected.
Evaluate Make a judgement of value, quality, or outcome, based on criteria/evidence.
Critically analyse/evaluate Add a judgement of reliability, validity, or significance to the analysis/evaluation.
Predict State an expected outcome, based on a pattern, trend, or relationship.
Propose Put forward a plan or suggestion for consideration.
Assess Make a judgement about the value, significance, or extent of something.
Recommend Advise on a course of action, with reasons.
Construct Represent or develop information in a diagrammatic or graphic form.
Sketch Make a quick, rough drawing showing key features — not to precise scale.
Represent Depict information in another form, e.g. graph, table, diagram.
Extract Choose or take out relevant information from a resource.
Extrapolate Infer an unknown value or trend by extending known data.
Synthesise Bring together separate pieces of information into a coherent whole.
Clarify Make a concept or statement clearer, removing confusion or ambiguity.
Classify Arrange or organise into categories.
Demonstrate Show by giving practical evidence or examples.
Examine Inquire into something in detail.

Source

Phrasing above is written for this site, based on the standard glossary of key words used across NSW HSC syllabuses (the same glossary NESA publishes and examiners use). Worth cross-checking against NESA's own glossary if a specific exam question's intent feels ambiguous.

Depth Study Guide

TODO.

Glossary

TODO.