Part A

• Part A will test two or three topics (as defined by the areas of study and inquiry questions) from the Stage 5 History (Mandatory) course that are identified for the purposes of the test each year.
  
• There is provision for any of the topics identified for Part A to be varied to some extent every three years, and teachers will be notified two years in advance as to the nature of these changes.
  
• Part A questions will utilise stimulus material such as written sources, photographs, diagrams, statistics, graphs and cartoons. The questions within this part may include objective items and short-answer response items that test the full range of student ability.

Part B

• Part B will consist of a question or questions drawn from the five focus issues specified in the Stage 5 History (Mandatory) course.
  
• It is expected that students will demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the focus issues based on a broad coverage of topics studied in addition to those identified in Part A. This broad coverage should include an understanding of each focus issue as it relates to Australian history that spans the period from 1901 to the present.
  
• The Part B focus issue(s) question(s) will be designed so that students have maximum opportunity to demonstrate a variety of skills, knowledge and understanding as they relate to the Stage 5 outcomes.
  
• Part B questions may utilise stimulus material such as written sources, photographs, diagrams, statistics, graphs and cartoons. The questions within Part B may include short-response items and structured and/or unstructured extended-response items that test the full range of student ability.