WACE Hindi Second Language ATAR exam-day guide
WACE Hindi Second Language ATAR · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the identification document your school or the exam authority requires for admission to the room. The exact accepted forms (school ID, driver's licence, passport) vary by provider, so confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Admission slip or exam timetable confirmation
Carry whatever printed or digital confirmation your school issues showing your name, subjects, and session times. Confirm with the provider whether a physical copy is required.
Approved pens and pencils
Bring several black or blue pens for written answers and at least two pencils plus an eraser and sharpener for any multiple-choice or machine-read sections. Check the permitted stationery list with the provider.
Clear pencil case or pouch
Many venues require stationery to be in a transparent container. Confirm with the provider whether a clear case is mandatory.
Water in a clear bottle, label removed
Stay hydrated for a long written paper. Bottles usually must be transparent with labels removed; confirm the venue's rule with the provider.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you pace the reading and writing sections if the room clock is hard to see. Smartwatches and phones are not permitted in the exam room.
Hindi-English dictionary status confirmed
Printed bilingual dictionaries are permitted in some second-language examinations and not others. Do not assume; confirm with the provider whether a dictionary is allowed and, if so, which type.
Devices switched off and stored
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and earbuds must be switched off and placed where supervisors direct, usually outside the room. Plan to hand them in before you enter.
Know your seat and session details
Check your candidate number, room, and start time the day before. Arrive at the venue early enough to find the room without rushing.
Prepared Devanagari handwriting practice
In the final days, handwrite sample answers in Devanagari so matras, conjuncts, and half-forms are accurate and fast under time pressure.
Rest, food, and transport plan
Confirm your route and travel time, eat a normal breakfast, and aim for a full night's sleep. Arrange backup transport in case of delays.
Review the paper structure
Know in advance how many sections, marks, and suggested times the paper has, and which sections offer choice. Confirm the current structure with the provider, as it can change between years.
Plan the day
Do a final review of your summary notes rather than re-reading whole textbooks. Focus on high-frequency vocabulary, common grammatical patterns (postpositions, verb agreement, tense forms, gender and number concord), and the text types the paper asks you to produce, such as letters, notices, short articles, and dialogues.
Write at least two full timed responses in Devanagari, one informal and one formal, and check them against the criteria you have been given for content, range of language, accuracy, and structure. Ask a teacher to mark one if possible.
Practise a full listening or reading section under exam conditions if your paper includes them, and review the question types so you know what each instruction is asking you to do.
Build a one-page planning sheet: sentence starters for opinions, connectives, useful formal phrases, and a checklist for editing (matras, spelling, verb endings, word order). Keep it simple enough to recall under pressure.
Pack your stationery, identification, admission documents, water bottle, and watch in one bag. Lay out clothes and confirm transport times. Re-read your one-page planning sheet only; stop learning new material.
Confirm with the provider the start time, venue, permitted items, and dictionary rule, and check whether there are any supervised breaks. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Eat breakfast, drink water, and arrive at the venue with time to spare. Leave your phone switched off and stored as directed. Glance at your planning sheet before entering the room, then put it away.
Read the front cover and all instructions carefully, check the number of sections and marks, and note the recommended time for each. Scan the whole paper to identify any choice of questions before you start writing.
Allocate time by marks, not by question order. Start with the section you are most confident in if the rules allow, keep an eye on the clock, and leave several minutes at the end to check matras, spelling, agreement, and that you have answered every required part.
If you run short of time, write brief but complete points rather than leaving blanks, and make sure each response matches the required text type and audience. If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for a supervisor.
Check that your candidate details are correct on the answer booklet, that all pages are numbered or attached as required, and that no answer has been left in the wrong section.
Rules to check
Bring the identification your provider requires and place it on your desk if instructed. Accepted forms vary, so confirm with the provider before exam day.
Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored outside the exam room as directed. Keeping a device on your person may be treated as a breach of rules.
Do not communicate with other candidates once you enter the room, and do not look at another candidate's work. Raise your hand if you need a supervisor.
Follow the supervisor's instructions about leaving the room. If supervised toilet breaks are permitted, you will usually be escorted; confirm the venue's policy with the provider.
Use only permitted materials. Whether a printed Hindi-English dictionary is allowed varies, so confirm with the provider and do not bring one unless it is approved.
Write in the format and medium the paper specifies, including Devanagari script where required, and answer the number of questions the instructions demand. Extra answers may not be marked.
Marks are awarded against published criteria, typically covering content, range and accuracy of language, and structure or text-type appropriateness. Read the criteria your school provides and confirm the current weightings with the provider.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a disruption occurs, tell a supervisor immediately rather than after the exam, and follow the provider's process for reporting it.