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 highly demanding, which can lead to significant stress among students. A significant number of students report feeling overwhelmed by the rigorous nature of the exams. The physical and emotional demands of the HSC maths exams can be highly stressful 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 underscore the need for better support systems to help students cope with the demands of the exams.