SACE Stage 2 Geography exam-day guide
SACE Stage 2 Geography · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring a current government-issued photo ID (e.g., passport or driver's licence) in case your school or venue checks identity at the door. The exact ID requirement is set by your school or the SACE Board; confirm with the provider what is accepted.
Admission or attendance slip
If your school issues a printed timetable, seating slip, or candidate number, bring it. Ask your Geography teacher whether one is issued, since this varies by school.
Black or blue pens (at least two) plus spares
Written responses and extended answers must be legible. Bring several working ballpoint pens and test them beforehand.
Pencils, eraser and sharpener
Needed for any multiple-choice answer sheet, diagrams, or sketch maps. Use pencil for bubble sheets and diagrams unless instructed otherwise.
Ruler and protractor
Useful for measuring distances, bearings, and gradients on any map or cross-section task. Confirm with your teacher which drawing tools are permitted in your school's exam room.
Clear pencil case or pouch
Many venues require a transparent case or no case at all. Check your school's exam-room rules in advance.
Approved calculator
Some Geography tasks involve simple calculations (e.g., rates, densities, percentages). Only bring a calculator if your school permits it; confirm with the provider whether calculators are allowed for this subject.
Wristwatch (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.
Water bottle (clear, label removed)
Stay hydrated without distracting others. Follow your venue's rules on bottles; some rooms require clear bottles with no labels.
Know your seating and start time
Check your personalised exam timetable for the correct date, session, and room, and arrive early. Confirm details with your school rather than relying on memory.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or in your bag
Mobile phones, smart watches, and earbuds are not allowed in the exam room. Hand them in or store them as directed before you enter.
Plan your route and backup transport
Know how you are getting to the venue and allow extra time for delays. Have a backup plan (a lift, a bus, or a contact number) in case of transport problems.
Plan the day
Do a full timed practice paper or past-style task under exam conditions. Mark it honestly against the criteria, note the two or three skills (e.g., map interpretation, data analysis, extended response structure) that cost you the most marks, and spend the remaining time targeting those. Review your summary sheets of key terms, case studies, and fieldwork examples rather than rereading whole textbooks. Check that you have all materials on the checklist and confirm the exam time and room with your school.
Do light revision only: skim your summary notes, key definitions, and the structure of your extended answers. Prepare your bag the night before with pens, pencils, ruler, ID, and any permitted materials. Set two alarms, check transport arrangements, eat a proper meal, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Avoid cramming new content late at night, as it tends to increase anxiety without improving recall.
Eat a substantial breakfast and drink water. Do a final 15-20 minute review of your summary sheet, then stop. Arrive at the venue with time to spare, switch off your phone and store it as directed, and find your seat. Take a few slow breaths and read the front cover of the paper carefully for instructions, marks, and any choice of questions.
Read all instructions and the whole paper or question booklet before writing. Note the marks per question and any optional sections. Plan your time: roughly one minute per mark as a starting guide, plus reading and checking time. Decide which optional questions you will answer and jot a brief plan for extended responses.
Work through questions in the order that suits you, but keep an eye on the clock and leave time for questions you have skipped. Answer the question that is asked, using specific geographic terms, evidence from the stimulus material, and clear structure (introduction, developed points, conclusion for extended answers). If you get stuck, move on and return later. Leave the final five to ten minutes to check that every question is attempted, your name and candidate details are filled in, and your handwriting is legible.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from exam supervisors and the front cover of the paper. If an instruction is unclear, raise your hand and ask the supervisor rather than guessing.
Bring only permitted materials into the exam room. Phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as directed; possession of an unauthorised device can lead to a breach of exam rules.
Do not communicate with other candidates once you enter the exam room until you have left it. Talking, passing notes, or looking at another candidate's work is treated as misconduct.
Use the reading time (if one is provided) only to read and plan. Do not write in the answer booklet until the supervisor tells you to start. Confirm with the provider whether your exam includes reading time and what is allowed during it.
If you need to leave the room (for example, for the toilet), raise your hand and wait for a supervisor to accompany or direct you. Leaving without permission may not be allowed and could affect your exam time.
If you feel unwell or are affected by an unexpected event during the exam, tell a supervisor immediately. Special provisions and misadventure processes exist, but they usually require you to report the problem at the time; confirm the exact process with your school or the SACE Board.
Write your answers in the spaces or booklets specified. Answers written in the wrong place, or in pencil where pen is required, may not be marked. Cross out work you do not want marked clearly.
Do not take any exam materials, including the question paper, out of the room unless a supervisor explicitly permits it. Confirm the rules on removing papers with the provider.