I've heard rumours that the CSSA and HSC setters do share some individuals, it is harder than the HSC from what I know though, independent doesn't seem as commonly done but I don't think its difficulty is dissimilar to CSSA from the few papers I've done (read: one), though it does have a distinct writing style that make the two feel different
I think overall more people do CSSA than independent because the really good independent schools just write their own papers so CSSA is more prevalent
I also hear NEAP papers are a pain
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obably change what you do in the exam i.e. provide extra pages whilst you cross out the ones you haven't learnt
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