SACE Stage 2 Media Studies exam-day guide
SACE Stage 2 Media Studies · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring current photo ID as required for admission. SACE external assessments are generally sat under supervision at your school or an approved venue, and schools usually check identity. Confirm the exact ID requirement with your school's SACE coordinator.
Admission or attendance slip
Some venues issue a personalised slip or timetable listing your subject, time, and room. Bring whatever your school issues. Confirm with the provider whether one is required.
Black or blue pens (two or more)
Written responses are completed in ink. Bring spares so a failing pen does not cost you time.
Pencils, sharpener, and eraser
Useful for planning, diagrams, storyboards, or any multiple-choice answer sheet.
Approved clear pencil case or pouch
Many venues require a transparent case or no case at all. Check your school's rules in advance.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
A plain, unlabelled bottle is commonly permitted. Confirm the venue's drink rules with the provider.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Many exam rooms do not display a clock, or the clock may be hard to see. A simple analogue or digital watch without smart features is usually acceptable. Confirm with the provider whether watches are allowed.
Confirm venue, room, and start time
Re-check your personalised timetable the day before. Arrive earlier than the stated reporting time to allow for seating and instructions.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or stored
Mobile phones, smart watches, and earbuds are almost always prohibited in the exam room. Plan where they will be stored before you arrive.
Revise key terminology and concepts, not new content
In the last days, review your own summary sheets on media language, representation, audiences, institutions, and the texts or products you studied. Do not attempt to learn new material.
Plan your response structure in advance
Practise opening with a clear contention, supporting it with specific evidence from studied texts, and linking each paragraph back to the question.
Sleep, food, and transport plan
Set two alarms, arrange transport, and eat before you arrive. Practical readiness protects your thinking time.
Plan the day
Finish active revision: rewrite your summary sheets from memory, then check them against your notes. Practise at least one full timed response or a set of shorter answers under exam conditions, and mark it against the criteria you have been given. Identify two or three weak areas and target only those.
Re-read the task and assessment requirements for your subject so you know the expected response types, such as analysis of a media product, discussion of an issue, or a design or production-based task. Confirm with your teacher which sections or question choices apply to you.
Do one more timed practice under realistic conditions: no phone, no notes, correct duration. Focus on time allocation per section and on how much you write for each mark. Review your mistakes rather than your strengths.
Light review only: terminology, key examples, and your paragraph templates. Pack your bag with ID, pens, pencils, and any permitted items. Check transport and the venue, and confirm the reporting time with your school if unsure.
Stop studying in the evening. Eat well, avoid late screen use, and aim for a normal night's sleep. Cramming new content at this point increases anxiety without improving recall.
Eat breakfast, dress comfortably in layers, and arrive at the venue with time to spare. Leave your phone stored or at home. Skim only your one-page summary; do not try to memorise new material.
Read all instructions and the whole paper or task before writing. Note the marks per question and any choice of questions. Draft a brief plan or outline for longer responses so your argument is clear before you commit to it.
Allocate time according to marks, not to how much you enjoy a question. For each extended response, state a clear position, support it with specific evidence from the texts or products you studied, use media terminology accurately, and connect each point back to the question.
Leave time to check that every required question is answered, that you have not left a choice section blank, and that your handwriting and labelling are legible. Correct errors neatly rather than rewriting whole sections.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from the supervisor. Raise your hand if you need to speak, need materials, or feel unwell; do not communicate with other candidates once you enter the room.
Bring the identification your school requires and place it on your desk if asked. If you are unsure what counts as acceptable ID, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Do not bring phones, smart watches, or other connected devices into the exam room. Unauthorised materials can lead to the assessment being voided; confirm the venue's storage arrangements in advance.
Only permitted equipment may be on your desk. Check with the provider whether watches, clear cases, or water bottles are allowed at your venue.
If you need to leave the room for a break or toilet visit, follow the supervisor's procedure. You are usually accompanied or supervised, and you should not take materials with you. Confirm the specific arrangements with the provider.
Scoring follows the published assessment criteria and marking rubrics for the subject, including the relative weighting of each section or task. Ask your teacher to explain how marks are allocated before exam day.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper, such as a missing page or unclear instruction, tell the supervisor immediately rather than guessing.
If illness or misadventure affects your performance, report it through your school's official process as soon as possible. Confirm the deadlines and evidence requirements with the provider; do not rely on informal notification.