The WEX past exam papers are available in schools. You will have used the past year's paper in your Mock Exam.
So, in preparation for your Grade 10 (or Grade 12) WEX papers (which is your first proper national examination), you should ask your English and Literature teacher for a copy.
This will help you familiarise yourself with the type of reading materials (scripts) and format that you are likely to come across in the real exam.
Who sets the Written Expression Examinations?
The Department of Education, through the Measurement Services Division, sets the WEX for Grade 10.
The Grade 12 WEX is set by an external (English and Literature) subject expert from the University of Goroka.
The Education department depends on provincial education officials and schools to conduct the examinations.
Students have been encouraged to give their best in honesty and let their talents shine through.
You can get the Grade 12 Mathematics A (Advanced) and General Maths past exam papers on the PNG Insight Maths website - click here for Maths A and here for General Maths.
Selected English teachers mark the Grade 10 written expression exam papers in each province. On completion, the provincial examination officer in the province sends the marks to the MSD office in Port Moresby.
As for the Grade 12 WEX, the MSD selects English and Literature teachers from each province as markers. The markers go to Port Moresby for a week to mark the WEX papers.
They mark the WEX papers in regional groups - Southern, Momase, New Guinea Islands and Highlands.
It is an intensive marking where the papers undergo several checks before the final marks are awarded to each script.
Grade 10 & 12 Written Expression concerns
Provincial authorities and schools have to run a fair and cheat-free written expression examination.
The education department often encouraged local education authorities to be vigilant and security conscious from the storage in school to the actual completion of the Examination.
To ensure the smooth running of the examination, the Head Teachers, Principals and Deputies are advised to remain within the school campus during the conduct of all Examinations.
However, many principals, headteachers and deputies tend to leave the school grounds on exam days.
Who ensures cheat-free exams in PNG?
The following provincial education officials and school heads are responsible for a cheat-free and fair Grade 10 and Grade 12 written expression examination, nationwide.
Provincial Education Advisers,
Provincial Examination Supervisors,
Senior Secondary Schools’ Inspectors,
Guidance Officers,
Principals of Secondary Schools
Head Teachers of all Provincial High Schools.
For the Grade 10 and Grade 12 students sitting the National Written Expression Examinations this year, we wish you 'all the best!'
Several readers have contacted us regarding the Acceptance Lists for PNG Universities, particularly the 2025 HECAS List for Non-School Leavers, School Leavers, and Continuing Students. This article aims to answer some of the most frequently asked questions, giving you a clearer picture of what to expect between now and early February 2025.
So, whether you're a non-school leaver, school leaver, or continuing student, read on and prepare yourself!
We've also included recommended blue links throughout this article, providing detailed information on pressing questions currently on the minds of many students and parents.
Important:
NSL: The 2025 HECAS Lists for Non-School Leavers, Re-enrolled Students and Continuing Students will first appear on the university's website or in the newspapers before being shared through social media channels and other websites. This also includes Online Students. Therefore, checking the official university website or the newspapers remains crucial for Non-School Leavers, Re-enrolled Students Continuing Students and students enrolled on online studies.
SL: Grade 12 School Leavers Selection Lists published on the DHERST website will show HECAS Status (That also includes AES status for top Students). DHERST has scheduled the launching of the 2025 School Leaver Acceptance on the 18 of December 2024. Students can check their NOAS accounts to verify their selection status. The actual publication of the 2025 Grade 12 Acceptance and Admission Lists (and 2025 HECAS Lists PDF) will take place after 18 December 2024. The date has not been released by DHERST yet.
Non-school Leavers Acceptance List
The Non-School Leavers' Acceptance List (NSL) for 2025 features students who did not graduate from Grade 12 in the last five years. This list also includes foreign students and PNG students applying from overseas schools such as those in the US, NZ, Australia, and Singapore.
Important Note: DHERST does not publish the NSL. Instead, each university you applied to will release its own NSL PDF before the academic year begins. So, check the websites of the universities you applied to for the latest updates.
Top Tip: Check the university websites for past year's NSL selection lists. This will give you a good idea of when to expect the 2025 NSL to be released.
If you are a continuing student, your university will put out the continuing students' acceptance lists at the end of the academic year or over the 2024/2025 Christmas holiday. It is your responsibility to find out your GPA and possible TESAS Status for the academic year 2025.
The best thing to do is to contact the Student Admin or the university or college Registrar and find out if they've released the Continuing Students Acceptance List. And importantly, check to see that your name is on the list.
The University of Goroka (UoG) did well last year by informing its continuing students about their status before they went home for the Christmas holiday. We hope UoG does the same this year because it helps massively with the registration and orientation of its NEW students.
In fact, the other universities and colleges in PNG should do the same by informing the Continuing Students to avoid the long queues and unnecessary delays during the registration week.
2025 School Leavers HECAS List PDF - DHERST
The Grade 12 School Leavers Selections is solely done by DHERST (Department of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology) through its National Online Application System (NOAS) and National Online Selection System (NOSS).
If you are a 2024 Grade 12 student, your selections and the announcement of your TESAS status will be formally done by DHERST.
When is DHERST HECAS List PDF coming out?
After the launch of NOAS 2024 Grade 12 Selection, school leavers and non-school leavers should know whether they are selected to a University or College, or not.
In fact, the higher education department (DHERST) planned to launch the Grade 12 National Online Selection on the 18 of December 2024.
Both the School Leavers and the non-school leavers, and continuing students (and students in the NATIONAL ADMISSION POOL) will have to wait until ALL the names (quotas from each university and college) have been confirmed, compiled and released to the general public.
Only then, the students should be able to know their confirmed HECAS/AES List PDF and determine their final TESAS STATUS.
Check out this video info we provided last year - it is still relevant to this year's selections and release of the Acceptance List PDF
Are you on TESAS (AES/HECAS List 2025)?
DHERST used different statuses to indicate the TESAS Awards for selected students.
The awards are based on the PNG government’s yearly sponsorship for students under the AES and HECAS categories, excluding the self-sponsored or corporate and overseas-sponsored students.
So how will the NSLs, Grade 12 SLs and Continuing Students know if you are on TESAS or not? You can CONFIRM your scholarship status (whether you are on TESAS or self-sponsored) through the final (official) Acceptance List released by DHERST.
What to do as a Self-sponsored student?
Perhaps the important thing is to confirm your PNG GOVT SCHOLARSHIP (TESAS-HECAS-AES) status on the 2025 Tertiary Institution's Acceptance List.
As the name implies, if you are a self-sponsored student you'll have to pay your own fees before the registration and orientation.
If you do not pay the required fees, your place will be forfeited - another student in the admission pool who has the money will take your place.
Check with your university or college to confirm how much you MUST pay to register. In addition, this information will be contained in the Acceptance Letter your institution sends to you. Make sure you read and understand what you must do before admission.
The best tip is to pay only the required amount, register and apply for the PNG govt's HELP program - read how to apply below.
Secure HELP - PNG Govt Scholarship
DHERST will facilitate the Student Loan Scheme (HELP or Higher Education Loan Program).
If you are a self-sponsored student, you'll have to pay your fee for the first semester of 2025 and apply for the HELP loan.
The Continuing students and School Leavers can apply for the HELP loan program through their university or college. This also includes those who are doing their masters or doctorate studies.
Check with your institution and ask for a HELP student loan application form. Also, find out about the due date and what to do so that your application is successful.
What to do if you are on DHERST's NATIONAL Admission Pool?
If you are a student on DHERST's National admission pool, you'll have to log in to your National Online Selection Account between now and before the academic year 2025 starts to see if you have been offered a placement at a university or college in PNG.
To give you an idea, the 2021/2022 selection had:
31, 817 students were nominated to sit the exams;
26,544 students certified;
16,171 total HEI quota for 2021; and
10,373 Grade 12 students will NOT be selected for 2022 HEI studies.
The good news is that there are 6,319 spaces (formally called quotas) to be filled via the Admission Pool.
So, keep checking to see if you are one of the lucky ones from the admission pool admitted to a university or college. Here is a video on PNG Insight YouTube Channel that explains how the QUOTA works.
When are you likely to see your name on the DHERST selection list?
When is the 2025 REGISTRATION and ORIENTATION WEEK?
Should you inform your institution that you've accepted that offer?
At least, try to find out the answer to the 5 questions as you prepare to go to your new school.
Here is an article that can help you prepare for registration and orientation week. It gives details on documents you need to present at registration, fees and what to do to get yourself prepared for the new academic year.
Recommended reading for NSL, School Leavers and Continuing Students
Additional information for Non-school Leavers, Continuing Students and Grade 12 School Leavers are provided in the LINKS within this article.
Check out the links if you need more information on TESAS (HECAS & AES), how to get the HELP govt loan or about being a SELF-SPONSORED student.
You can also leave a comment to let us know what you think.
