VCE Indonesian First Language exam-day guide
VCE Indonesian First Language · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the original government-issued photo ID in the name you registered under. A school ID may or may not be accepted, so confirm with the provider which forms of ID are valid and whether a digital copy is acceptable.
Admission or registration notice
Print or download the notice showing your candidate number, session time, and venue. Check the provider's instructions on whether a printed copy is required or a phone copy is allowed.
Venue and room details
Confirm the exact building, room, and entry gate, and how early candidates may enter. Confirm with the provider whether entry closes at the start time or shortly after.
Approved writing equipment
Bring several pens (blue or black), pencils, and an eraser. Check whether correction fluid, highlighters, or erasable pens are permitted, as rules vary by provider.
Clear water bottle
Bring water in a clear, label-free bottle if permitted. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk.
Watch
A simple analogue or digital watch is useful because wall clocks may be out of view. Confirm whether smartwatches and any internet-capable devices must be left outside the room.
No prohibited devices
Leave phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and notes in the designated area or at home. Confirm with the provider the exact list of prohibited items and the consequences of a breach.
Travel and timing plan
Plan to arrive with a buffer well before the reporting time, accounting for transport delays. Confirm with the provider the reporting time, which is usually earlier than the start time.
Language and dictionary rules
Check in advance whether a monolingual or bilingual dictionary is permitted for any section, and whether annotations are allowed. Confirm with the provider, as this varies by year and paper.
Rest and nutrition plan
Sleep normally for the two nights before the exam and eat a usual breakfast. Avoid trying new foods or heavy caffeine on the day.
Section timing strategy
Know the number of sections, their time limits, and the marks per section so you can allocate writing time. Confirm the exact structure and any reading time with the provider.
Backup logistics
Arrange a backup route and a contact who can help if transport fails. Confirm the provider's late-arrival policy and whom to contact in an emergency.
Plan the day
Do a final review of your strongest material rather than starting new topics. Rehearse the structure of the text types likely to appear (for example, a formal letter, an opinion piece, a report, or a reflective response), and practise planning one in five minutes. Review a short list of high-frequency connectives, formal register markers, and common grammatical traps you personally make. Do one timed practice task under exam conditions, then mark it against the criteria and note two concrete improvements. Confirm the venue, reporting time, ID requirements, and permitted equipment with the provider. Prepare your bag and clothes the night before the last day so the final evening is calm.
Stop intensive study in the late afternoon. Re-read your one-page summary of text structures, useful phrases, and personal error patterns. Check transport timetables and set two alarms. Pack the bag with ID, admission notice, pens, pencils, eraser, water, and any permitted materials. Confirm with the provider whether a dictionary or notes are allowed. Eat a normal dinner, avoid alcohol and late screens, and go to bed at your usual time. Do not attempt to memorise whole essays, as this tends to collapse under time pressure.
Eat a normal breakfast and drink water. Arrive at the venue with a generous buffer before the reporting time. Leave all prohibited devices and notes behind or in the designated area. Once seated, check that your name and candidate number on the materials are correct and report any discrepancy immediately. Use any reading time to scan the paper structure, note the marks per question, and choose which extended-response option you will attempt. Take a few slow breaths and set your section-by-section time plan before writing.
Read all instructions and the mark allocation before starting. Spend a few minutes planning each extended response: identify the audience, purpose, register, and required text structure. Write legibly and keep an eye on the clock, leaving time to check. For reading and listening sections, answer every item, as there is usually no penalty for guessing unless the provider states otherwise. If you run short of time, finish the highest-value task rather than perfecting a low-value one. Reserve the last few minutes to proofread for agreement, verb forms, spelling, and register consistency.
Rules to check
Bring original photo identification in the registered name and present it on request. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what to do if your ID is lost or your name has changed.
Follow all instructions from supervisors. Raise your hand if you need to speak, need materials, or feel unwell, and do not communicate with other candidates once the exam has begun.
Keep phones, smartwatches, earbuds, and any notes out of the exam room or in the designated area. Confirm with the provider the exact prohibited-item list and the consequences of a breach.
Use only approved equipment and materials. Confirm with the provider whether dictionaries, correction fluid, or annotations are permitted for your paper.
Toilet breaks and movement during the exam are usually restricted and may be supervised. Confirm with the provider the break policy and whether extra time is granted for breaks.
Do not remove question papers, answer booklets, or any exam materials from the room unless a supervisor explicitly permits it.
Scoring and assessment criteria are set by the provider. Confirm the weighting of each section, whether marks are deducted for incorrect answers, and how the overall study score is calculated.
If something goes wrong, such as a late arrival, illness, or a disturbance, tell a supervisor immediately and ask the provider about special consideration or misadventure procedures.