SACE Stage 2 Indonesian (beginners) exam-day guide
SACE Stage 2 Indonesian (beginners) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the identification document your school or the SACE Board requires for external assessment. The exact accepted forms can vary, so confirm with the provider which IDs are acceptable and whether a school-issued card is sufficient.
Admission or attendance details
Know your candidate number, the room, and the start time. Confirm with the provider how seating and admission are organised on the day, as procedures differ between schools and assessment centres.
Printed exam timetable
Keep a copy of your personal timetable so you can confirm the session, date, and any session code. Check it against the official SACE external assessment timetable rather than relying on memory.
Black or blue pens (spares)
Bring at least two working pens plus a spare. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted for any section, and whether correction fluid or tape is allowed.
Pencil and eraser
Useful for planning, annotating, or any multiple-choice answer sheet. Confirm with the provider whether answers must be in pen and whether a sharpener is permitted.
Clear water bottle
Label-free, clear bottles are commonly allowed. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are permitted in the assessment room and whether labels must be removed.
Approved dictionary or reference
needs_review - Do not assume a bilingual dictionary is allowed. Confirm with the provider whether any printed or electronic dictionary is permitted for this subject, and which specific type is approved.
No notes, phones, or smart devices
Leave phones, smart watches, and any notes outside the room or switched off as directed. Confirm with the provider where devices must be stored and what happens if one is found.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you pace long writing tasks if the room clock is not visible. Confirm with the provider whether watches are permitted and whether smart watches are banned.
Layered clothing
Rooms can be cold or warm. Wear layers you can remove without disrupting others, and check whether hats or outerwear must be removed.
Transport and arrival plan
Plan to arrive well before the start time, allowing for delays. Confirm with the provider the arrival window and what to do if you are running late.
Rest and preparation routine
Sleep, eat, and avoid last-minute cramming of new material. Review a short list of high-frequency structures and vocabulary instead of trying to cover everything.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: room, start time, ID requirements, permitted equipment, and dictionary rules with the provider. Re-read the assessment specifications so you know the section types, weighting, and whether listening, reading, and writing components are all in one session.
Do one full timed practice under exam conditions using only permitted materials. Mark it against the criteria, then list your three biggest weaknesses rather than reviewing everything.
Target those weaknesses with focused practice: verb forms and word order, question words, connectors, or script and spelling. Write short responses and check them against a model structure.
Light review only: skim your own summary sheet of key structures, common question stems, and useful linking words. Practise a few spoken or written sentence patterns aloud. Stop early enough to sleep well.
Pack your bag: ID, pens, pencil, eraser, clear bottle, watch, and any approved reference. Confirm transport and set two alarms. Do not start learning new grammar the night before.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive early, and avoid comparing preparation with classmates. Re-read only your one-page summary. Follow all instructions about devices and bags on entry.
Read the instructions and check the marks and suggested timing for each section. Note the total time and allocate minutes per section, leaving time to check.
Answer the questions you find easiest first if the paper allows, then return to harder items. For writing, plan briefly, watch tense and word order, and leave a few minutes to proofread for agreement, spelling, and script accuracy.
Check that every question has an answer, that no response is left in the wrong section, and that your candidate details are correct. Use remaining time to proofread rather than to start a new idea.
Rules to check
Bring and display the identification the provider requires. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before the day rather than assuming a school card will suffice.
Follow all instructions from supervisors about seating, starting, stopping, and leaving the room. Do not begin writing before you are told to start or continue after you are told to stop.
Keep phones, smart watches, and any notes out of the room or stored exactly as directed. Unauthorised material in the assessment room can lead to consequences regardless of whether you used it.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the assessment. If you need something, raise your hand and wait for a supervisor.
If you need to leave the room for a break or illness, raise your hand and follow supervisor directions. Confirm with the provider in advance what supervision and time arrangements apply, as these vary by centre.
Write in the format and language the question requires, and make sure responses are placed in the correct section or answer booklet. Answers in the wrong place may not be marked.
Marks are awarded against the published criteria, so read each question for what it actually asks and how many marks it carries. Confirm with the provider how each section is weighted if this is not stated on the paper.
If something goes wrong - illness, a disturbance, or a problem with your paper - tell a supervisor immediately and ask for it to be recorded. Confirm with the provider afterwards what special provisions process applies.