SACE Stage 2 General Mathematics exam-day guide
SACE Stage 2 General Mathematics · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the ID form your school or the supervising authority requires. Accepted ID types vary, so confirm with the provider which documents are valid before exam day.
Admission or attendance slip
If your school issues a printed slip or seating notice, bring it. If you are unsure whether one is required, confirm with the provider.
Approved calculator
Check the approved calculator list for the subject and make sure your model is permitted. Bring spare batteries or a second approved calculator if allowed; confirm the spare-device policy with the provider.
Spare batteries
Fresh batteries for your calculator, plus a small screwdriver if your model needs one to change them.
Stationery
Several pens (blue or black), pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener. Bring more than you think you need.
Geometrical instruments
Ruler, protractor, and compass if your course uses them. Confirm the permitted instrument list with the provider.
Clear water bottle
A plain, label-free bottle is the safest choice. Confirm the container rules with the provider.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you pace yourself if the room clock is hard to see. Smart watches and phones are not permitted in the exam room.
Transparent pencil case or bag
Many venues require clear storage. Confirm the exact rule with the provider.
Check the timetable and venue
Confirm the date, start time, room, and reporting time. Arrive early; late-entry rules vary, so confirm with the provider.
Leave prohibited items at home
Phones, smart watches, notes, and unauthorised devices must not be in the exam room. Confirm the storage arrangements with the provider.
Review the formula sheet policy
Find out whether a formula sheet is supplied, whether you may bring your own annotated notes, and what annotations are allowed. This varies by subject and year, so confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Build a one-page summary of formulas, worked example types, and common errors. Practise recalling formulas without notes, then check against your summary. Do two timed practice sets under exam conditions, marking them against the official style of solutions and logging every error by cause: misread, method gap, arithmetic, or time.
Target your weakest two or three topics with short, focused drills. Re-do the questions you got wrong rather than new ones. Confirm logistics: venue, reporting time, transport, and what you are allowed to bring. Check your calculator works and that you have spare batteries.
Do a light review of your one-page summary only. Pack your bag with ID, stationery, calculator, spare batteries, and water. Set out clothes and transport plans. Sleep a full night; do not start new topics or cram past midnight.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive early. Skim your summary once, then put it away. Check you have your ID and calculator. Avoid discussing content with others right before entering, as it can raise anxiety.
Read the instructions and check the paper structure, marks, and any supplied formula sheet. Scan all questions and note which are routine and which need more thought. Plan roughly one minute per mark as a starting pace and adjust to the paper.
Work in passes: answer the questions you can do confidently first, then return to harder ones. Show working, since method marks are often awarded. Watch units and rounding. If stuck, write down what you know and move on; return later.
Check that every question has an answer, that units and rounding are correct, and that you have transferred answers accurately. Confirm your name and details are on the paper. Use remaining time to recheck calculations rather than starting a new question.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from supervisors. If you are unsure about any conduct rule, ask a supervisor before the exam rather than guessing.
Bring the identification your school or authority requires and keep it on your desk if instructed. Accepted ID types vary, so confirm with the provider.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, or other unauthorised electronic devices into the exam room. If you must bring a phone, follow the venue's storage instructions exactly.
Only use an approved calculator and approved instruments. Check the permitted list for your subject and year, and confirm with the provider if anything is unclear.
Raise your hand and wait for a supervisor if you need to leave the room, need materials, or feel unwell. Toilet and break arrangements vary by venue, so confirm with the provider.
Stop writing immediately when told. Writing after the signal, or communicating with other candidates during the exam, may lead to penalties under the provider's rules.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem with conditions, tell a supervisor at the time. Follow the provider's process for reporting issues rather than raising it later without evidence.
Understand how your work is marked: show working, give units, and use the rounding conventions your course requires. Check the marking and grading rules with the provider if you are unsure.