QCAA Literature exam-day guide
QCAA Literature · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID and any required candidate documentation
Bring current photo identification and any paperwork your school or exam supervisor has told you to present. Exact ID requirements vary by venue and provider, so confirm with the provider what is accepted before exam day.
Admission or attendance slip if issued to you
If your school or exam authority issues an admission slip, timetable card, or attendance confirmation, place it with your ID the night before. Whether one is required depends on your venue, so confirm with the provider.
Two or more black or blue pens
Literature responses are handwritten. Test your pens beforehand and bring at least two spares so a failing pen does not cost you time.
Pencils, eraser and sharpener
Useful for planning, annotating question booklets, or any multiple-choice or short-answer section. Keep them in a clear container if your venue has a transparent-pouch rule.
A highlighter for the question booklet
Highlighting key words in questions and stimulus material helps you focus. Check whether annotation of the question booklet is permitted; if unsure, confirm with the provider.
A clear, unmarked water bottle
Hydration helps concentration during a long writing task. Many venues require bottles to be clear and label-free, so confirm with the provider.
A quiet analogue watch
A simple wristwatch lets you pace yourself without relying on a wall clock. Smartwatches and devices with communication capability are usually prohibited, so confirm with the provider.
Know the venue, room and reporting time
Check your timetable for the exact session, room and arrival time, and plan transport with a buffer. Reporting times differ between schools and venues, so confirm with the provider.
Know which texts and editions you have studied
Re-read your own notes on the texts, genres and conventions you have prepared. You will not bring the texts into the room unless your school has told you otherwise; confirm with the provider whether any prescribed material is supplied.
A one-page revision sheet of your own making
Summarise key terms, textual evidence and structural reminders on a single sheet for last-minute review before you enter. Leave it outside the exam room.
A written plan for each response type
Rehearse the shape of an analytical essay, a persuasive or reflective response, and any comparative task your syllabus requires, so you can plan quickly under time pressure.
A timing plan
Decide in advance how many minutes to allocate to planning, writing and proofreading for each question, based on the marks and the total test length.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new content to consolidating what you already know. Re-read your notes and annotated quotations for each text, and rewrite your summary sheet from memory to test recall. Complete at least one full timed practice response under exam conditions, then mark it against the criteria and note two specific improvements. Confirm your timetable, venue and reporting time, and check with the provider about ID and permitted equipment. Protect your sleep schedule rather than cramming late.
Do light revision only: review your summary sheet, key terms and a handful of strong quotations. Rehearse your planning routine for each response type so it becomes automatic. Pack your bag with ID, pens, pencils, highlighter, water and watch, and lay out your clothes. Avoid starting a new text or a new essay you cannot finish. Eat a normal meal, set two alarms, and aim for a full night's sleep.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Glance at your summary sheet for ten minutes, then stop revising so your working memory is fresh. Arrive at the venue with time to spare, leave phones and smart devices switched off and stored as directed, and follow supervisor instructions for seating and materials. Use the reading time, if any is given, to scan the whole paper and choose questions, not to start writing.
Read all questions before committing. Allocate time according to marks, and write a brief plan for each extended response. Answer the question asked, support claims with specific textual evidence, and use literary terminology accurately. Watch the clock at set checkpoints so you do not overrun one response. Reserve the final minutes to proofread for clarity, spelling and legible handwriting, and check that every question has been attempted and every page numbered as directed.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from exam supervisors, including seating, materials, and when you may begin and stop writing. If an instruction is unclear, ask before the session starts rather than guessing.
Bring the identification your venue requires and present it on request. Accepted forms of ID vary, so confirm with the provider in advance and do not assume a school card will suffice.
Keep phones, smartwatches and any other electronic devices switched off and stored as directed. Do not bring unauthorised notes or texts into the room; if you are unsure whether an item is permitted, confirm with the provider and leave it outside.
If you need to leave the room for a break or for health reasons, raise your hand and wait for a supervisor. Procedures for toilet breaks and supervised exit vary between venues, so confirm with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the session has begun, and do not attempt to view others' work. Academic integrity rules apply throughout, including in the reading time before writing begins.
If you feel unwell or believe an incident has affected your performance, tell a supervisor immediately and ask what process applies. Do not wait until after the exam to raise it.
Understand how your responses are marked: extended responses are assessed against criteria for knowledge and understanding of texts, analysis and use of evidence, and control of language. Write to those criteria rather than retelling plot.
Check the total marks and any word or time guidance on the paper, and manage your time accordingly. If the paper's structure differs from what you expected, confirm the requirements with a supervisor before proceeding.