Assessment and exam practice.

Try this with Housing and Design

1. Check the task format, time limit and permitted materials with your school.
2. Start with one timed section or task and record where you spent the most time.
3. Review errors before attempting another section. Separate missing knowledge from timing problems.

View Housing and Design resources on ATARMAXXING ↗

Practice paper focus areas

• Exam 1 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Hobart, sloping north-facing block with southern water views; one-bedroom studio home, 65 m² max; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Darwin, elevated one-bedroom home on a corner block with wet-season north-westerly and dry-season south-easterly breezes; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Wheelchair-accessible kitchen/dining renovation for a parent who now uses a wheelchair; fixed stair and sliding door
• Exam 2 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Launceston, narrow east–west lot overshadowed by a two-storey neighbour to the north-west; two-bedroom home, 90 m² max; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Townsville family home, three bedrooms, 120 m² max, deep verandah, rainwater and solar requirement; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Accessible ensuite for an aged parent using a walking frame now and a wheelchair later
• Exam 3 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Canberra retrofit: add a north-facing living extension to a 1970s brick-veneer house with south-facing living; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Darwin single-storey duplex unit with neighbours close on both side boundaries; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Single garage (6.0 m × 3.2 m) converted to a wheelchair-accessible studio for a young adult
• Exam 4 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Bendigo mud-brick or straw-bale one-bedroom home on a rural block with cold westerly winter winds; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Townsville tiny home on stumps (35 m² max) with outdoor living under the house; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Combined accessible bathroom and laundry for a wheelchair user in an existing 2.4 m × 3.6 m room
• Exam 5 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Hobart coastal shack replacement, views east, strong westerly winds, 50 m² max with a deck; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Darwin pole house on a sloping bush block with privacy from the street; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Ground-floor apartment adapted for a wheelchair user living alone (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom)
• Exam 6 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Launceston hillside home, view to the south-west, 80 m², two bedrooms; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Townsville three-module transportable home with a joining breezeway; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Accessible entry: ramp and deck to an existing house 700 mm above ground, plus accessible laundry
• Exam 7 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Hobart modular two-module home on a narrow block with southern views; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Darwin retirement home for a couple, 90 m², bedrooms needing the coolest location; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Unit for a couple in their eighties, one of whom uses a wheelchair: kitchen, bathroom and bedroom
• Exam 8 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Canberra townhouse with party walls on east and west (glazing only north and south); Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Townsville shipping-container home (two 12 m containers) under a shade roof; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Wheelchair-accessible kitchen for a keen cook who supervises two young children's homework
• Exam 9 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Bendigo block that slopes down to the south: one-bedroom home with a split level; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Darwin granny flat behind an existing house, private from the main house and street; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Accessible bathroom inserted into a heritage cottage without moving the external walls
• Exam 10 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Launceston south-facing house: add a sunroom and replan living to capture winter sun; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Townsville courtyard house with an internal courtyard and verandah living; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Respite unit for a teenager who uses a power wheelchair, with a carer's sleep-over room
• Exam 11 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Hobart infill house on a 400 m² suburban block with close neighbours, 70 m²; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Darwin home that must catch the dry-season south-easterly breeze past a neighbour's two-storey house; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Wheelchair-accessible home office and bathroom for a self-employed designer
• Exam 12 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Canberra two-bedroom home with a Trombe wall and solar hot water; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Townsville beachside shack exposed to salt-laden winds, with storm shutters; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Universally accessible community-hall kitchenette used by volunteers of all abilities
• Exam 13 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Hobart passive solar home for a family of four, 120 m², living to the north with water views to the south-east; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Darwin one-bedroom unit above a carport (raised living), private from the street; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Accessible kitchen in a 4.2 m × 3.0 m galley with a fixed window and external door
• Exam 14 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Launceston farm cottage retrofit: insulation, glazing and a new north deck; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Townsville family home extended with a sleep-out for teenagers; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Bedroom and ensuite for a wheelchair user with carer access on both sides of the bed
• Exam 15 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Canberra corner block with the street to the north (privacy versus solar access); Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Darwin three-bedroom home with an outdoor kitchen and covered entertaining; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Accessible outdoor living: level deck, ramp, barbecue bench and pergola for a wheelchair user
• Exam 16 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Bendigo straw-bale studio and attached workshop for an artist; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Townsville prefabricated two-module home on a narrow lot; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Accessible shower room and toilet for a primary school's out-of-hours care building
• Exam 17 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Hobart small house on a steep east-facing block, decks stepping down the slope; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Darwin home on a block with a large existing mango tree to the west; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Kitchen and dining for a family member with limited reach who uses a wheelchair, plus pantry storage
• Exam 18 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Launceston pole house above a flood-prone creek flat; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Townsville granny flat with a breezeway link to the main house; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Wheelchair-accessible holiday cabin (30 m²) with kitchen, bathroom and sleeping
• Exam 19 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Canberra shed conversion into a one-bedroom home; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Darwin elevated studio on an infill block beside a busy road (noise versus breezes); Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Accessible laundry and bathroom for a family whose daughter uses a wheelchair
• Exam 20 — Section A Q1 (Cool Temperate, Criterion 3): Hobart retrofit of a 1950s weatherboard cottage with poor insulation and south-facing living; Section A Q2 (Hot Humid Tropical, Criterion 3): Townsville home with an outdoor living pavilion linked by a covered walkway; Section B Q3 (functional use of space, Criterion 4): Kitchen, dining and deck access for a wheelchair user and family (two-bowl sink, dishwasher, oven, four-seat table)