NSW students hack HSC system

Students from a top western Sydney high school have allegedly hacked a computer system in an attempt to alter their HSC assessment marks.

A small number of students from the selective Penrith High School are being disciplined after using a teacher's login details to access the Department of Education's computer system in a bid to change school assessment marks, the NSW Department of Education confirmed on Friday.

The Board of Studies Teaching and Educational Standards (BOSTES) said students caught cheating in the HSC would face severe penalties.

The Department of Education confirmed it had launched a comprehensive investigation with the help of Penrith High School, which has assured the correct and true marks would be submitted to BOSTES.

"Students can be assured that stringent assessment and exam rules and procedures are applied by BOSTES to ensure the HSC's fairness and integrity," a statement from the Department of Education said.

"Students can be assured that if the allegation is substantiated, BOSTES will act to ensure no student is disadvantaged, and the examination process remains fair."

The Penrith High School students under investigation will be allowed to sit this year's HSC exams, which start on October 12, said a spokesman from the department.