Hardest HSC (Statistically)

[frog0101]

Is there any HSC year renowned for its level of diffiuclty? Based on results (i.e. marks need to state rank, top MX2 or to get an E4), what year has been the hardest? Also, is there any point to sitting HSC's prior to the 1990's?
Thanks

[RuiAce]

Short answer: Anything that is old.

Long answer: Renowned for it's difficulty is a condition far too strong. There have been many years that have been harder than the usual, and the occasional spikes, but you're basically asking for which years have papers five times more difficult than the surrounding years, which doesn't happen. Some exam writer habits are questionable but they've never been that unreasonable. (As a matter of fact, I haven't seen many huge spikes in MX2 at all; the only ones I know off the top of my head are 2U 2001 and MX1 2013.)

This has a difficulty comparison I thought of at the time, for up to 2001.

Also, there are no official released statistics on state rank cut-offs. You need to dig for this if it's really of that much importance.

Before 1990 - It's not redundant, but it's a complete waste of time when you should be focusing studying on other subjects at that point, if you've already done 1990-2016.