HSC Croatian Continuers exam-day guide
HSC Croatian Continuers · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the ID document your school or exam authority requires. Requirements vary, so confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a student card alone is sufficient.
Exam admission notice or timetable slip
Bring any admission slip, candidate number, or timetable confirmation issued to you. If none was issued, confirm with the provider whether you need to bring anything beyond ID.
Black or blue pens (at least two)
Write in dark ink so scanned scripts remain legible. Check with the provider whether correction fluid or erasable pens are permitted before relying on them.
Pencils, eraser and sharpener
Useful for planning notes, multiple-choice sections, or rough work. Confirm with the provider whether rough work must be crossed out or handed in.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Stay hydrated for a long written paper. Bottle rules vary between venues, so confirm with the provider what is allowed on the desk.
Approved printed dictionary
Some language exams allow a monolingual or bilingual dictionary in book form only. Confirm with the provider the exact dictionary rules, including whether electronic dictionaries and annotation are prohibited.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Helps you pace long writing tasks if the room clock is not visible. Smart watches and phones are almost always banned at the desk; confirm with the provider.
Transparent bag or pencil case
Many venues require clear storage for stationery. Confirm with the provider what bag type is permitted.
Confirm venue, room and arrival time
Re-check the location, entry door and reporting time the day before. Ask the provider where to go if you arrive late or cannot find the room.
Plan transport with a buffer
Aim to arrive well before the reporting time to absorb delays. Confirm with the provider what happens if you are late and whether extra time is granted.
Leave phone and smart devices at home or switched off and stored
Devices at the desk can lead to misconduct findings. Confirm with the provider the exact storage rules for phones and smart watches.
Know your candidate number and seating details
Have your number memorised or written on your admission slip. Ask the provider how seating and candidate numbers are assigned if this is unclear.
Plan the day
Confirm the exam date, start time, venue and permitted equipment with your teacher or the provider. Re-read the syllabus or course outline for the prescribed text types and themes so your revision matches what is assessed. Check dictionary rules and any restrictions on annotation or notes.
Do a full timed practice paper under exam conditions: no phone, no notes, and the same duration as the real paper. Mark it honestly against the criteria, then list your two or three weakest areas, such as verb aspect, case endings, formal letter conventions, or listening inference.
Build a one-page summary of high-value material: connectives, formal and informal register markers, useful sentence frames for each text type, and a short list of common errors you make. Keep it short enough to reread quickly.
Practise writing two or three short texts in Croatian across different text types, such as a formal letter, an article, or a diary entry, and check them against the criteria for content, range, accuracy, and register. Time each one.
Do light revision only: reread your summary page and skim vocabulary lists. Avoid starting new topics. Pack your bag with ID, admission slip, pens, pencils, eraser, approved dictionary if permitted, water, and a watch.
Re-confirm transport and set two alarms. Check the weather and plan clothing. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at a reasonable hour; sleep matters more than one more hour of cramming.
Eat breakfast, drink water, and arrive at the venue early. Leave your phone and smart devices at home or stored as the provider requires. Do a final check that you have your ID and pens.
Once seated, read the front of the paper carefully for instructions, marks per section, and any choice of questions. Note the time allocation for each section and write it down if permitted.
Read the whole paper briefly before starting. Do the sections you are strongest at first if the rules allow, but keep to your time plan. For writing tasks, spend a few minutes planning content and structure before drafting.
For reading and listening sections, underline key words in questions and predict answers before checking the text or audio. Do not leave blanks; make a reasoned attempt on every item.
For writing, match the required text type, audience, and register. Use a range of tenses and structures you control, and leave time to check endings, spelling, and agreement. If time remains, proofread for the errors on your summary page.
Rules to check
Bring the identification the provider requires and place it on your desk if instructed. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day, as entry may be refused without valid ID.
Follow all instructions from supervisors about seating, materials, and starting and finishing. Do not open the paper or write until told to begin, and stop writing immediately when instructed.
Keep phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices switched off and stored away from your desk unless the provider explicitly permits otherwise. Unauthorised devices can lead to misconduct proceedings.
Use only permitted equipment, including dictionary rules. Confirm with the provider whether printed dictionaries are allowed, whether they may contain annotations, and whether electronic dictionaries are banned.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not look at others' work. Raise your hand if you need a supervisor, more paper, or to leave the room.
If you need to leave the room for any reason, follow the supervisor's instructions. Confirm with the provider in advance what supervision and timing arrangements apply to toilet breaks.
Understand how your work is scored: sections usually carry different weightings and writing is judged on content, range, accuracy, and register. Confirm with the provider the mark allocation and any penalties for going over or under the required length.
If something goes wrong, such as illness, a misread timetable, or a disruption, tell a supervisor immediately and ask the provider about special consideration procedures. Do not assume the outcome without confirming with the provider.