NESA Chemistry Performance

Overall average 57.7%26,353 questions answered2026 data

Score by Unit & Topic

Full syllabus

Equilibrium and Acid Reactions

55.8%
Static and Dynamic Equilibrium
54.7%
Factors that Affect Equilibrium
55.4%
Calculating the Equilibrium Constant
56.1%
Solution Equilibria
66.3%

Acid/Base Reactions

61.4%
Properties of Acids and Bases
60.6%
Using Brønsted–Lowry Theory
67.6%
Quantitative Analysis
58.4%

Organic Chemistry

60.9%
Nomenclature
58.1%
Hydrocarbons
61.7%
Products of Reactions Involving Hydrocarbons
63.4%
Alcohols
63%
Reactions of Organic Acids and Bases
61.2%
Polymers
57.1%

Applying Chemical Ideas

52.4%
Analysis of Inorganic Substances
70%
Analysis of Organic Substances
46.2%
Chemical Synthesis and Design
57.5%

Working Scientifically Skills

56%
Questioning and Predicting
93.1%
Planning Investigations
41.3%
Conducting Investigations
45.4%
Processing Data and Information
54.2%
Analysing Data and Information
57%
Problem Solving
44.1%
Communicating
78.3%

Score by Past Paper

2026 data

2025
74.8%
2024
73.2%
2023
71.2%

Score by Question Type

2026 data

Extended Response
48.9%
Multiple Choice
55.7%
Short Answer
63.4%

Cognitive Verb Performance

2026 data

Analyse
37.5%
Apply
61.2%
Calculate
64.4%
Compare
55.7%
Construct
73.3%
Contrast
100%
Deduce
53%
Define
51.7%
Demonstrate
14.3%
Describe
67.9%
Determine
59.8%
Discuss
57.1%
Draw
54.7%
Evaluate
100%
Explain
58.7%
Identify
58.3%
Illustrate
77.4%
Justify
51.9%
Label
58.5%
Name
82.8%
Outline
69.5%
Predict
67.3%
Propose
83.3%
Provide
59.3%
Select
87.5%
Show
72.7%
Sketch
55.9%
State
67.3%
Write
72.9%

Study Guides

HSC Chemistry Hardest Topics: Where Students Lose the Most MarksAverage scores in HSC Chemistry by past paper, topic, question type and command verb, plus the high-weight low-score revision list.HSC Chemistry Most Tested Topics: What the NESA Exams CoverMarks by topic and dot point across 3 NESA Chemistry external papers, 2023 to 2025, plus the question type and cognitive verb mix.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the hardest NESA Chemistry topics?
Based on student performance on AusGrader in 2026, the hardest NESA Chemistry topics are Planning Investigations (41.3%), Problem Solving (44.1%), Conducting Investigations (45.4%). Focus your revision on these areas for the biggest score improvement.
What are the easiest NESA Chemistry topics?
Based on student performance on AusGrader in 2026, the highest-scoring NESA Chemistry topics are Questioning and Predicting (93.1%), Communicating (78.3%), Analysis of Inorganic Substances (70%).
What are the most common command words in NESA Chemistry exams?
The most frequently tested command words in NESA Chemistry are Explain, Identify, Calculate, Determine, Write. Practising responses to these verbs is a high-impact study strategy.

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