Students faced a challenging Jane Austen essay question on the 2025 HSC English exam, sparking online speculation and anxiety.

Students taking the 2025 HSC English exam were surprised by an essay question on Jane Austen, described by educators as fair but challenging, particularly one focusing on narrative resolutions. Teachers noted it rewarded deep text understanding, while student anxiety increased due to online speculation, including viral TikTok theories about exam content. The 2025 HSC exams conclude on November 7.