The Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority (QCAA) has officially released the 2025 external assessment timetable for General, General (Extension), and Senior External Examination (SEE) subjects. This schedule plays a vital role for Year 12 students across Queensland, marking the final stage of the state’s senior schooling assessment process.
These external exams are the culmination of two years of study and contribute significantly to each student’s ATAR score. The timetable aims to minimize exam clashes, provide fair rest periods between papers, and ensure results are ready on time for university offers.
About the QCAA External Assessment 2025
The QCAA External Assessment 2025 has been carefully designed to:
- Prevent scheduling clashes between commonly paired subjects
- Limit students to a maximum of two exams per day
- Provide sufficient time between major subject assessments
- Allow all marking and moderation to be completed before final results release
Unlike school-based internal assessments, these statewide exams are developed, marked, and moderated by the QCAA, ensuring fairness and consistency across all Queensland schools.
External Assessment Period
The 2025 QCAA external exams will take place from Monday, 27 October to Friday, 21 November 2025.
This four-week period includes all General and General (Extension) subjects such as English, Mathematics, Sciences, Humanities, Arts, and Languages, as well as Senior External Examinations (SEEs) for adult learners and language students.
Week-by-Week Schedule Overview
Week 1: 27 – 31 October 2025
Morning sessions:
- Aerospace Systems
- Design
- English and English as an Additional Language
- Economics
- Business
- Biology (Paper 1)
Afternoon sessions:
- Accounting
- Music
- Visual Art
- Ancient History
- Engineering
- Food & Nutrition
- Drama
- Biology (Paper 2)
- Language Extensions (Chinese, French, German)
This week covers a wide range of creative, analytical, and science-based subjects. For science students, Biology exams are split into two sessions to test theoretical and analytical skills separately.
Week 2: 3 – 7 November 2025
Morning sessions:
- Modern History
- General Mathematics (Paper 2)
- Specialist Mathematics (Paper 2)
- English & Literature Extension
- Health
- Music Extension
- Agricultural Science (Paper 2)
- Legal Studies
- Chemistry (Paper 1)
Afternoon sessions:
- General Mathematics (Paper 1)
- Specialist Mathematics (Paper 1)
- Geography
- Agricultural Science (Paper 1)
- Film, Television & New Media
- German, Spanish, Chinese
- Dance, Digital Solutions, Philosophy & Reason
- Chemistry (Paper 2)
Students tackling Mathematics and Sciences should note the back-to-back scheduling of Mathematics and Chemistry, requiring careful time management and rest planning.
Week 3: 10 – 14 November 2025
Morning sessions:
- Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Studies
- Physics (Paper 1)
- French
- Physical Education
- Psychology (Paper 1)
- Study of Religion
- Mathematical Methods (Paper 1)
Afternoon sessions:
- Physics (Paper 2)
- Literature
- Psychology (Paper 2)
- Italian
- Japanese
- Mathematical Methods (Paper 2)
This is one of the most academically intense weeks, especially for STEM students. Physics, Psychology, and Mathematical Methods are scheduled close together, requiring advance revision strategies.
Week 4: 17 – 21 November 2025
Morning sessions:
- Marine Science (Paper 1)
- Earth & Environmental Science (Paper 1)**
Afternoon sessions:
- Marine Science (Paper 2)**
- Earth & Environmental Science (Paper 2)**
This final week marks the end of Queensland external exam cycle, focusing mainly on environmental and marine studies.
Senior External Examinations (SEE) 2025
The Senior External Examination (SEE) program offers standalone subjects primarily for adult learners and eligible Year 12 students not enrolled in standard General subjects.
Unlike mainstream exams, SEEs are 100% external, meaning there is no internal school-based component. Students must attend both the written and oral parts (for languages) to receive a result — no rescheduling is allowed for missed sessions.
Language Oral Examinations (7–31 October 2025)
These assessments are conducted online at the student’s school. The oral tests include:
- Arabic, Modern Greek, Punjabi, Russian, and Tamil – Conversation and discussion format
- Chinese, Indonesian, Korean, Vietnamese – Extended response multimodal and spoken assessments
- Polish – Conversation and discussion format
Written Examinations (13 October – 21 November 2025)
Week A (13–17 October):
- Polish, Punjabi, Russian, Tamil (Written components)
Week B (20–24 October):
- English SEE (Sections 1 & 2)
- Chinese, Indonesian, Korean, Vietnamese (Written)
- Latin (Written component)
Weeks 1–4 (27 October – 21 November):
- English SEE Paper 1 & 2
- General Mathematics SEE Papers 1 & 2
- Arabic, Modern Greek (Written components)
SEE exams follow the same timeline as General subjects, ensuring students have structured and consistent assessment opportunities.
Preparation and Study Tips for QCAA Exams 2025
- Start early revision:
Begin structured study by August 2025 to reduce stress closer to exam dates. - Practice past papers:
Use QCAA’s sample external assessments to get familiar with exam formats and time limits. - Simulate exam conditions:
Practice writing responses within the actual time limits, including the 10–15 minute reading period. - Balance core subjects:
Space out study sessions for Mathematics, Sciences, and English equally to avoid burnout. - Stay updated:
Monitor announcements on the official QCAA website for any timetable updates or minor subject adjustments. - Focus on wellbeing:
Sleep and nutrition play a huge role in exam performance. Take regular breaks during intensive study weeks.
Important Details for Students
- Morning exams typically begin at 9:00 AM (with reading time at 8:45 AM).
- Afternoon exams start around 1:30 PM (with reading time at 1:15 PM).
- Students should arrive 30 minutes early with all necessary materials and identification.
- Electronic devices such as phones and smartwatches are strictly prohibited.
- Exam clashes are managed by QCAA — students will be rescheduled to an alternate session on the same day.
FAQs – Queensland QCAA Exam Timetable 2025
1. When do QCAA external exams start in 2025?
Exams begin on Monday, 27 October 2025 and end on Friday, 21 November 2025.
2. What subjects are included in the timetable?
All General and General (Extension) subjects such as English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, History, Music, and more.
3. What is the difference between General and SEE exams?
General exams are for mainstream Year 12 students, while SEE exams cater to independent learners and adults studying single subjects.
4. Can students sit more than two exams in one day?
No. The timetable is designed so that students usually have no more than two exams per day.
5. Where can I find the official QCAA exam timetable?
The complete schedule is available at www.qcaa.qld.edu.au.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 QCAA External Assessment Timetable provides students with a clear and structured schedule to manage their final-year exams effectively. With careful planning, consistent study, and balanced rest, students can approach this final stage of their schooling with confidence.
As Queensland continues to refine its educational standards, this timetable ensures fairness, accessibility, and academic integrity for every student aiming to achieve their best in the 2025 external assessments.