WACE ATAR English as an Additional Language or Dialect exam-day guide
WACE ATAR English as an Additional Language or Dialect · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo identification
Bring the ID document your school or the exam authority has told you to use (commonly a current photo ID such as a passport or a school-issued candidate card). Exact accepted forms vary between providers and years, so confirm the accepted ID list with your school or the relevant authority before exam day.
Examination timetable and room details
Know the date, start time, room, and seat or candidate number for your EAL/D written examination. Check the official personalised timetable rather than relying on memory or a friend's schedule.
Approved pens and spares
Bring at least two black or blue pens that write cleanly, plus a spare. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is required or permitted for any section (for example, multiple-choice answer sheets).
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful if any part of the paper or answer sheet requires pencil. Confirm the permitted materials for your specific paper with the provider, as rules differ between jurisdictions.
Clear, unmarked water bottle
Stay hydrated without breaching rules. Many providers require bottles to be clear, label-free, and sometimes placed on the floor; confirm the exact rule with your school or exam authority.
Approved calculator
EAL/D papers are language-based and generally do not require a calculator, but check your official exam instructions. If one is permitted, bring only a model on the approved list and know whether covers are allowed.
Wristwatch (optional, non-smart)
A simple analogue or non-smart digital watch helps you pace long writing tasks. Confirm with the provider whether watches are permitted and whether smart or connected devices are banned in the room.
Printed study notes and past-paper plans
For the final revision window, bring condensed notes on text types, register, and language features, plus your own plans for practice prompts. Leave these outside the exam room on the day.
Know your text types and task requirements
Be able to identify and produce the common text types (for example, essay, report, article, letter, speech) and to adjust register, tone, and structure for audience and purpose. Check your syllabus and past papers for the exact genres assessed.
Practise under timed conditions
Complete at least one full timed practice paper or a set of timed sections before the exam so you know your reading speed, planning time, and writing pace.
Plan your transport and arrival time
Work out how you will travel, allow a buffer for delays, and know the required arrival time. Confirm with the provider how early candidates should arrive and what happens if you are late.
Confirm special provisions in advance
If you have approved adjustments (for example, extra time or a separate room), confirm the arrangements and where to report with your school or the exam authority well before the day. Do not assume they are automatic.
Plan the day
Shift from learning new content to consolidating. Review your condensed notes on text types, register, cohesion, and common grammar and vocabulary errors. Do one timed practice task, then mark it against the criteria and list two or three specific fixes. Protect sleep and avoid all-night study.
Pack your bag with ID, pens, spares, water, and any approved materials. Re-read your summary of task requirements and your personal checklist of recurring errors. Do a light review only, confirm transport and arrival time, set two alarms, and aim for a full night's sleep.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Do a short, calm review of text-type structures and linking phrases rather than new material. Arrive with time to spare, leave phones and smart devices switched off and stored as instructed, and follow supervisor directions for seating and materials.
Read the paper and instructions carefully, note the marks and suggested timing for each section, and allocate time for planning, writing, and proofreading. Spend a few minutes planning each extended response (purpose, audience, structure, key points). Watch the clock, keep handwriting legible, and reserve the final minutes to check spelling, grammar, sentence boundaries, and that you have answered every required part.
Rules to check
Bring and display the identification document required by the exam authority. Accepted ID forms vary, so confirm the exact requirements with your school or the provider before the day.
Follow all supervisor instructions about seating, materials, start and finish times, and leaving the room. If you need to leave for a break or illness, raise your hand and wait for a supervisor; do not leave unaccompanied.
Do not bring unauthorised materials or devices into the examination room. Phones, smart watches, and other connected devices must be switched off and stored as directed; confirm the provider's rules on watches and electronic devices.
Breaks during the examination are usually limited and supervised, and may not be permitted in all circumstances. Confirm the provider's policy on toilet breaks and rest breaks, including any approved provisions.
Write only in the permitted spaces and materials. Use the answer booklet or paper as instructed, cross out work you do not want marked, and do not write in margins or areas the provider has designated as off-limits.
Follow the rules on academic integrity. Do not communicate with other candidates during the examination, do not copy others' work, and do not take any examination material out of the room unless a supervisor permits it.
Understand how your work is scored. Read the marks and any assessment criteria provided in the paper or syllabus, and confirm with your provider how sections are weighted and whether there are penalties for going over or under suggested lengths.
If something goes wrong (illness, a misprinted paper, a disruption), tell a supervisor immediately and ask your school or the exam authority about the process for reporting it. Do not assume the issue will be handled automatically.