WACE German Second Language exam-day guide
WACE German Second Language · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID and exam admission slip
Bring the identification document your school or the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) has told you to present, plus your personalised exam timetable or admission slip if one is issued. Confirm the exact accepted ID with your exam coordinator before the day, as requirements can vary by centre.
Black or blue pens (at least two) and spare pencils
Written responses must be legible; bring two reliable dark pens and a pencil for any multiple-choice or planning work. Check with your coordinator whether correction tape or erasable pens are permitted, as rules differ between centres.
Approved dictionary
WACE second-language exams commonly allow a printed bilingual dictionary, but the exact type (monolingual, bilingual, electronic) and any annotation rules are set by SCSA. Confirm with your teacher which dictionary is permitted and make sure it has no handwritten notes.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Most centres allow a clear, unlabelled bottle of water on the desk. Confirm the centre's rule, as some venues require bottles to be on the floor.
Watch (non-smart, silent)
A simple analogue watch helps you pace long writing tasks if there is no visible clock. Smart watches and any device with connectivity are almost always banned; confirm the centre's device policy.
Know your seat number, room and start time
Check your personalised timetable and any seating notice the day before. Arrive well before the scheduled start; SCSA sets a cut-off after which you may not be admitted, so confirm the exact arrival time with your coordinator.
Revise key vocabulary and structures, not full essays
Spend the last days reviewing thematic vocabulary, useful connectives, verb forms and sentence patterns you can adapt to any prompt. Memorising a full essay is risky because unseen prompts rarely match it exactly.
Practise timed writing and listening under exam conditions
Do at least one full timed run of each section you will face, using past-style tasks. This trains pacing and reveals which section needs the most attention.
Plan your writing structure
Be ready to spend a few minutes planning: introduction, two or three developed points with examples or reasons, and a conclusion. Practise this so it becomes automatic.
Check any permitted equipment in advance
If your centre permits headphones or other equipment for a listening component, confirm the arrangements with your coordinator beforehand rather than assuming.
Sleep and eat normally
A normal night's sleep and a proper meal before the exam support concentration more than last-minute cramming. Avoid trying to learn large amounts of new material the night before.
Leave prohibited items at home
Phones, smart watches, notes and unauthorised materials must not be taken into the exam room. Confirm the centre's rules on where bags and devices must be stored.
Plan the day
Do a final review of your vocabulary lists and grammar notes, focusing on themes likely to appear. Complete one timed practice of each section, then mark it and note recurring errors. Stop learning new topics and concentrate on consolidating what you already know.
Re-read your error log and practise the structures you get wrong most often. Do a short speaking or listening warm-up if your exam includes those components. Check your exam timetable, room and start time, and confirm with your coordinator what ID and materials are permitted.
Pack your bag: ID, admission slip, pens, pencils, approved dictionary, water bottle and watch. Lay out clothes and plan your transport. Do a light review only, then stop early, eat well and go to bed at a normal time. Avoid all-night study.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the venue early. Do a brief skim of key vocabulary and connectives, but do not attempt to cram new material. Switch off your phone and store it as instructed before entering the room.
Read all instructions and check the time allowed and the marks for each section. Allocate time proportionally to marks. Read the writing prompt carefully and identify the required text type, audience and purpose before you begin.
Plan writing tasks for a few minutes, then write with clear paragraphs and varied sentence structures. Watch the clock and leave time to check grammar, spelling and agreement. If a listening passage is played, focus on the gist first and details second. Never leave a question blank; attempt every item.
Use remaining time to proofread: verb endings, word order, genders, cases and spelling. Make sure your name and candidate details are correct and that all pages are handed in.
Rules to check
Bring the identification required by your exam centre and present it on request. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider or your school's exam coordinator before the day.
Do not take phones, smart watches, notes or unauthorised materials into the exam room. Store bags and devices where staff direct, and switch devices off.
Follow all instructions from supervisors. Do not begin writing until told, and stop immediately when instructed at the end of the exam.
Only use materials explicitly permitted for this exam, such as an approved dictionary. Check with your coordinator whether dictionaries may be annotated.
If you need to leave the room for any reason, raise your hand and wait for a supervisor. Confirm the centre's rules on breaks and toilet visits in advance.
Raise your hand if you have a problem with your paper, feel unwell, or need more paper. Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam.
Marks are awarded for content, range and accuracy of language and for addressing the task appropriately. Read each prompt carefully and answer every part of it.
If you believe an error has affected your exam, report it to a supervisor immediately. Confirm the provider's procedures for special consideration or illness with your coordinator.