A review has found the NSW senior curriculum is too dense and should focus less on the HSC.

The NSW Government has released an interim report into a recent review of what students learn from Kindergarten to Year 12.

The report by Professor Geoff Masters slammed the “crowded nature” of the current syllabus.

“[This] is not conducive to teaching in-depth or helping students see the relevance of what they are learning,” the report says.

There were also concerns about the “lock-step nature” of the curriculum, which experts say does not allow for flexibility for teachers to meet the learning needs of all students, and doing a disservice to senior students.

“Teaching and learning in the senior secondary school are perceived to be overly focused on examination preparation, maximising the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR), and university entrance,” it said.

The report found that the curriculum is, “insufficiently focused on equipping every student with the knowledge, skills and attributes they will require for further learning, life and work”.

It will require significant changes to the curriculum to cut content and reduce the number of subjects offered in senior years.

“The review envisages syllabuses that are leaner in content and more focused on developing deep understandings of disciplinary concepts and principles,” the report said.

“A curriculum structure that better recognises and accommodates the wide variability in students' levels of attainment.”

Premier Gladys Berejiklian welcomed the interim report.

“Students need to have strong foundations in maths, English and science to be prepared for the jobs of the future and for attaining lifelong skills,” she said.

The final report - containing a series of formal recommendations - will be handed down next year.