QCAA Spanish exam-day guide
QCAA Spanish · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification and exam admission slip
Bring the ID document specified by your school or the QCAA (for example, a current passport or learner licence) plus any admission slip or timetable confirmation you have been given. Confirm with the provider which ID is accepted and whether a printed slip is required.
Black or blue pens and spare pens
Pack at least two working pens in the permitted colour, plus a spare. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is allowed for any section and whether correction fluid or tape is banned.
Pencils, sharpener and eraser
Useful for multiple-choice answer sheets or planning. Confirm with the provider whether these are permitted in the room and whether any items must be in a clear container.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Stay hydrated without breaching rules. Confirm with the provider whether water bottles are allowed and what label removal is required.
Approved dictionary or reference list
For Spanish, check the syllabus and confirm with the provider whether a bilingual dictionary or vocabulary list is permitted, and whether it must be unannotated. Do not assume it is allowed.
No prohibited electronics
Leave phones, smart watches, earbuds and other devices at home or stored as directed. Confirm with the provider the exact storage and penalty rules.
Know your session time, room and seat
Check your timetable and room allocation the day before. Arrive early enough to complete ID checks and settle. Confirm with the provider how early you should arrive.
Read the whole paper before writing
During reading time, scan every section and question, note the mark allocation and plan your time. Check whether the paper has separate answer booklets or a multiple-choice sheet.
Watch the clock and allocate time by marks
Spend roughly proportional time on each section, leave time to check, and do not let one difficult item consume the whole paper.
Answer in the required language and format
Check whether each response must be in Spanish, in English, or in a specific format such as a short paragraph or a letter. Follow the instructions exactly.
Plan for breaks and medical needs
If you need a rest break or have a medical condition, arrange it in advance. Confirm with the provider how supervised breaks work and whether they are permitted during the test.
Backup transport and emergency contact
Plan your route, have a backup, and know who to call if you are delayed. Confirm with the provider what to do if you arrive late or cannot attend.
Plan the day
Review the syllabus and your summary notes rather than learning new material. Practise past-paper-style tasks under timed conditions, focusing on the question types and text types used in the external assessment. Check the equipment list and confirm with the provider any uncertainties about permitted items, dictionaries or ID. Protect your sleep and avoid last-minute cramming that leaves you tired.
Pack your bag with ID, admission slip, pens, pencils, eraser, sharpener and approved water bottle. Confirm the session time, room and transport plan. Do a light review of key vocabulary and structures, then stop early. Eat a normal meal, set two alarms and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the venue with time to spare. Leave devices and prohibited items at home or store them as directed. Use the waiting time for calm breathing and a brief glance at your notes, not for cramming new content. Follow all supervisor instructions during ID checks and seating.
Listen carefully to instructions and reading-time rules. Scan the paper, note mark allocations and plan your time. Answer in the required language, write legibly and keep an eye on the clock. If you are stuck, move on and return later. Leave a few minutes to check that every question is attempted and that your details are correct.
Rules to check
Bring the identification document specified by your school or the QCAA and present it when asked. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and what happens if you cannot produce them.
Follow all supervisor instructions about seating, materials, reading time and the start and end of writing. Do not write outside the permitted times.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, earbuds or other unauthorised electronic devices into the examination room. Store them as directed and confirm with the provider the consequences of a breach.
Use only approved equipment and materials. Confirm with the provider whether dictionaries, notes or water bottles are permitted and in what form.
Breaks are usually only for approved reasons and are supervised. Confirm with the provider in advance how rest breaks, medical needs and access arrangements are handled.
Maintain academic integrity: do not communicate with other candidates, share answers or use unauthorised material. Follow the school's and QCAA's integrity rules.
Scoring is based on the quality of your responses against the syllabus criteria and marking guides. Read each question carefully, address all parts and use the mark allocation to guide the depth of your answer.
If you arrive late or feel unwell, notify a supervisor immediately. Confirm with the provider the rules on late entry, illness and special provisions rather than assuming an outcome.