NESA Chemistry Performance

Overall average 60.8%36,529 questions answered2026 data

Score by Unit & Topic

Full syllabus

Equilibrium and Acid Reactions

60.3%
Static and Dynamic Equilibrium
60.9%
Factors that Affect Equilibrium
58.1%
Calculating the Equilibrium Constant
62.2%
Solution Equilibria
66.8%

Acid/Base Reactions

64%
Properties of Acids and Bases
63.6%
Using Brønsted–Lowry Theory
67.5%
Quantitative Analysis
61.4%

Organic Chemistry

62.8%
Nomenclature
60.6%
Hydrocarbons
64%
Products of Reactions Involving Hydrocarbons
66.1%
Alcohols
63.3%
Reactions of Organic Acids and Bases
62.8%
Polymers
64.3%

Applying Chemical Ideas

56.9%
Analysis of Inorganic Substances
69.6%
Analysis of Organic Substances
53.6%
Chemical Synthesis and Design
59.3%

Working Scientifically Skills

57.2%
Questioning and Predicting
93.1%
Planning Investigations
41.4%
Conducting Investigations
47%
Processing Data and Information
55.5%
Analysing Data and Information
58.5%
Problem Solving
48.9%
Communicating
77.6%

Score by Past Paper

2026 data

2025
74.1%
2024
73.4%
2023
72%

Score by Question Type

2026 data

Extended Response
49.1%
Multiple Choice
58.4%
Short Answer
64.6%

Cognitive Verb Performance

2026 data

Analyse
71.3%
Apply
65.3%
Calculate
63.1%
Classify
100%
Compare
55.1%
Construct
63.2%
Contrast
70.4%
Deduce
63.3%
Define
58.8%
Demonstrate
7.1%
Describe
67.8%
Determine
68.3%
Discuss
61.7%
Distinguish
64.3%
Draw
56.2%
Evaluate
77.8%
Explain
62.4%
Identify
64.9%
Illustrate
76.2%
Justify
58.2%
Label
54.1%
Name
76%
Outline
71.6%
Predict
62.6%
Propose
88.9%
Provide
60.8%
Represent
0%
Select
87.5%
Show
80.6%
Sketch
55.9%
State
66%
Write
69.2%

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 (41.4%), Conducting Investigations (47%), Problem Solving (48.9%). 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 (77.6%), Analysis of Inorganic Substances (69.6%).
What are the most common command words in NESA Chemistry exams?
The most frequently tested command words in NESA Chemistry are Explain, Identify, Determine, Calculate, Write. Practising responses to these verbs is a high-impact study strategy.

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