SACE Stage 2 Arabic (continuers) exam-day guide
SACE Stage 2 Arabic (continuers) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the ID document your school or the SACE Board requires for external assessment (for example a current passport or photo ID card). If you are unsure which document is accepted, confirm with the provider or your school's SACE coordinator before exam day.
Statement of results or exam timetable slip if required
Some venues ask candidates to show their exam timetable or a personalised exam slip. Check whether your school issues one; if not stated, confirm with the provider.
Approved pens and pencils
Bring several black or blue pens and at least two pencils for any multiple-choice or short-answer sections. If you are unsure whether a particular pen type is allowed, confirm with the provider.
Eraser and sharpener
A clean eraser and a small sharpener are standard stationery for Arabic writing tasks. Check that your sharpener does not double as a prohibited item.
Clear pencil case or pouch
Many venues require stationery to be in a transparent case. If this is not specified in your exam instructions, confirm with the provider.
Water bottle with label removed
Bring a clear bottle, label removed, if your venue permits water at the desk. If you are unsure, ask your supervisor on the day before entering the room.
Printed copy of your prepared Arabic text or notes if permitted
For oral or written tasks where prepared notes are allowed, bring only what the rules permit. The exact allowance for notes or a dictionary varies; confirm with the provider.
Confirm whether a bilingual or monolingual dictionary is allowed
Dictionary rules for Arabic continuers exams differ between oral and written components and between providers. Do not assume; confirm with the provider and label any permitted dictionary clearly.
Watch (non-smart) for timing
A simple analogue or digital watch without smart features helps you pace yourself. Smart watches are almost always prohibited; leave them at home or in your bag.
Arrive at the venue early
Plan to arrive well before the scheduled start, allowing time for ID checks and seating. The exact arrival window is set by your school or the SACE Board; confirm with the provider.
Leave phones and smart devices outside the exam room
Phones, smart watches, and earbuds must be switched off and stored as directed. If you are unsure where to store them, ask a supervisor before the exam begins.
Read the official exam instructions in advance
Check the SACE Board's external assessment guide and your subject outline for the exact format, timing, and permitted materials. If any detail is unclear, confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Review the subject outline and confirm the exact format of each component (oral, listening, reading, writing) and the time allowed. Check the SACE Board website for any updated notices and confirm with the provider if anything is ambiguous. Make a one-page summary of key grammar points, connectors, and vocabulary themes you tend to forget, and practise using them in full sentences rather than reading lists.
Do one timed practice task under exam conditions, for example a 150-word writing response or a listening passage, then mark it against the criteria. Identify the two or three weaknesses that cost the most marks and plan targeted revision for the remaining days. Confirm your transport plan and the venue address, and check whether you need to bring your own stationery or dictionary.
Revise high-frequency structures and discourse markers for formal writing, such as connectors for contrast, cause, and conclusion. Practise transforming sentences between tenses and between active and passive voice, since these transformations often appear in grammar tasks. Spend 30 to 45 minutes on speaking aloud, recording yourself and checking pronunciation and fluency.
Do a light review only: skim your summary sheet, re-read a few model paragraphs, and practise a short oral response. Prepare your bag with ID, stationery, water bottle, and any permitted materials, and lay out clothes. Set two alarms and confirm your departure time. Avoid learning new material late in the day; sleep is more valuable than one more vocabulary list.
Check the start time and reporting time one final time, and confirm whether there are separate sessions for oral and written components. If you are unsure about any rule, such as dictionary use or note-taking during preparation time, confirm with the provider now rather than on the morning.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive early. Do not attempt a last-minute cram of new content; instead, skim your summary sheet for 10 to 15 minutes, then put it away. Switch off your phone and store it as directed before entering the room. Use the toilet before the exam starts.
Read all instructions and the marking allocation carefully. Scan the whole paper to identify which sections carry the most marks and which tasks offer choice. Budget your time according to marks rather than page count, and note the time at which you should move to each section.
For reading and listening tasks, read or listen for the main idea first, then locate specific details. For writing, spend a few minutes planning structure and key vocabulary before drafting, and leave time to check agreement, case endings where required, and spelling. If a question is taking too long, mark it and return later rather than leaving later questions unanswered.
Stop writing a few minutes before the end to check that every question has an answer, that your name and candidate details are correct, and that your writing is legible. Check for common errors such as missing hamza, inconsistent verb endings, and incomplete sentences. Do not leave the room until a supervisor confirms you may.
Rules to check
Bring the identification document required by your school or the SACE Board and present it on request. If you are unsure which document is accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Follow all supervisor instructions about seating, materials on the desk, and when you may begin writing. Do not open the paper or write until you are told to start, and stop immediately when told to stop.
Phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as directed, not kept on your person or at the desk. If you are unsure where to store them, ask a supervisor.
Only bring materials explicitly permitted for the component, such as a dictionary or prepared notes if allowed. The exact allowances vary by component and provider, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
If you need to leave the room for any reason, raise your hand and wait for a supervisor. Rules about toilet breaks and supervision during breaks are set by the venue; confirm with the provider if you have a medical need.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not take any exam material out of the room. If you believe an error has occurred in the paper, report it to a supervisor rather than guessing silently.
Marks are awarded against the published assessment criteria, so read the task requirements and the mark allocation carefully. If you are unsure how a task is scored, confirm with the provider or your teacher beforehand.
If illness or misadventure affects your performance, report it to your school as soon as possible and follow the SACE Board's process. The exact deadlines and evidence required are set by the Board; confirm with the provider.