WACE Japanese: Second Language ATAR exam-day guide
WACE Japanese: Second Language ATAR · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the ID your school or the exam authority has told you to present. If you are unsure which form of ID is accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Exam admission slip or timetable confirmation
Carry whatever admission documentation your school issues. If you have not received one, confirm with the provider what is required.
Black or blue pens and pencils
Bring several working pens plus pencils and an eraser for any multiple-choice or drafting work. Check your school's stationery rules, as some venues restrict pencil cases.
Clear water bottle
A small clear bottle with the label removed is usually acceptable. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at your venue.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you pace the reading and writing sections. Smart watches and phones are not permitted in the exam room.
Printed summary of script and vocabulary patterns
Prepare a one- or two-page sheet of hiragana, katakana, common kanji readings, and sentence patterns for last-minute review. Leave it outside the exam room.
Confirmed exam venue, start time, and arrival time
Check the location and reporting time the day before. Arrive early enough to settle; if arrival rules are unclear, confirm with the provider.
Plan for permitted equipment
Confirm with the provider whether dictionaries, electronic dictionaries, or notes are allowed. Do not assume; rules differ between written and oral components.
Rest, food, and water plan
Eat a normal breakfast and bring a light snack for after the exam. Avoid trying new caffeine levels on the day.
Review of task instructions in Japanese
Practise reading common instruction words such as kakinasai, erabinasai, and nihongo de kotaenasai so you do not lose time decoding directions.
Backup transport plan
Identify a second route or a person to call if transport fails. Note the provider's late-arrival policy in advance.
Phone switched off and stored
Phones must be off and out of reach during the exam. Confirm with the provider where bags and devices are stored.
Plan the day
Confirm the venue, reporting time, and permitted equipment with your school or the provider. Assemble ID, pens, pencils, and a clear bottle in one bag. Do one full timed practice under exam conditions, then mark it and list your three biggest error types.
Target those error types: for example, particle choice, verb forms, kanji readings, or reading for main idea. Review your summary sheet of script and patterns, and practise the oral or listening instructions if your exam includes them.
Do light review only: skim vocabulary, common kanji, and fixed expressions. Re-check the start time and travel plan. Pack the bag and lay out clothes. Sleep at your normal time rather than cramming late.
Eat breakfast, drink water, and arrive early. Skim your summary sheet outside the room, then put it away. Switch off your phone and store it as instructed. Use the toilet before entering.
Read all instructions and note the marks and suggested time for each section. Scan the whole paper before writing so you can allocate time to high-value tasks.
Answer the easiest items first to bank marks. Watch the clock and leave time to check particles, tense, and script accuracy. If a task is worth many marks, plan briefly before writing.
Read questions before the audio or prompt where permitted. Note key words rather than full sentences. If you miss a detail, move on rather than losing the next item.
Check that every question has an answer, that names and numbers are written correctly, and that no page has been missed. Confirm your script is legible before handing in.
Rules to check
Follow all instructions from supervisors. If a rule is unclear, ask before the exam starts or confirm with the provider in advance.
Bring and display the identification required by the provider. If you are unsure what counts as acceptable ID, confirm with the provider.
Keep phones, smart watches, and unauthorised notes out of the exam room. Devices must be switched off and stored as directed.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam. Raise your hand and wait for a supervisor if you need assistance.
Use only permitted equipment. Do not bring dictionaries or electronic aids unless the provider has confirmed they are allowed for that component.
Follow the provider's rules on leaving the room, toilet breaks, and late arrival. These vary, so confirm them beforehand rather than assuming.
Write in the required script and language. Answers in romanised Japanese where script is expected may not receive full credit.
Marks are awarded for accurate communication, not length alone. Check the mark allocation and answer every part of each question.