High school students in Australia face intense pressure during the Higher School Certificate (HSC) maths exams. Recent reports from SMH.com.au and The Age detail unusual scenarios, including students navigating a zoo in wheelchairs and consuming alcoholic drinks. Adelaide Now describes the exams as 'brutal' and 'challenging', pushing students to their limits. These reports emphasize the demanding nature of the HSC maths exams and the diverse situations students encounter during this period. The exams are known to be very challenging, which can lead to great anxiety among students. Many students report feeling overwhelmed by the rigorous nature of the exams. The mental and physical demands of the HSC maths exams can be very demanding for students. The scenarios described in the reports highlight the intense demands that students face during this critical period of their academic careers. The reports also emphasize the need for better support systems to help students cope with the demands of the exams.