Berlin Abitur English (3rd subject / GK) exam-day guide
Berlin Abitur English (3rd subject / GK) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission letter and photo ID
Bring the invitation from your school (Einladung zur Abiturprüfung) and an official photo ID (Personalausweis or passport). Confirm with your school which ID they accept and whether a copy is enough, since rules can differ between schools.
Know your exam room and arrival time
Confirm the room, building entrance, and the exact arrival time with your school a few days before. Plan to be there well before the written start, because late arrival can affect your right to sit the exam.
Permitted dictionaries
For English as a third subject, a monolingual English dictionary (einsprachiges Wörterbuch) is often allowed, but the exact rule is set by your school and the task. Confirm with the provider which dictionary, if any, is permitted and whether it must be unannotated.
Approved text edition if required
If your course studied a set text or film, confirm whether you may bring the approved edition or whether copies are provided. Do not assume; ask your teacher which materials are allowed for your specific task.
Writing materials
Bring several pens (blue or black ink), pencils, a sharpener, an eraser, and a ruler. Check whether correction fluid or tape is allowed; some schools forbid it on exam scripts.
Watch
A simple analogue watch helps you manage time if the room clock is hard to see. Confirm with the provider whether smartwatches and phones must be handed in or switched off in your bag.
Water and a small snack
Bring a clear bottle of water and something quiet to eat during any break. Confirm the school's rules on drinks and food at the desk.
No unauthorized electronic devices
Phones, smartwatches, and earbuds must usually be switched off and stored away. Confirm the exact rule with your school, as violations can be treated as attempted cheating.
Review the task types and timing
Know which task types your course prepares you for (for example comprehension, analysis, and comment or re-creation) and how many points each part carries. Confirm the structure with your teacher.
Prepare your outline strategy
Practise a short planning routine: read the tasks, choose, note key points, and allocate minutes per section. This is preparation you control, not an official rule.
Check transport and backup plan
Check the route and travel time, and identify a backup way to get there. Aim to arrive early rather than exactly on time.
Sleep and normal routine
Keep the night before ordinary: light review, normal sleep, and no late cramming. This is advice, not a formal requirement.
Plan the day
Confirm the formal details with your school: room, start time, permitted aids, dictionary rule, and ID. Review the task types and scoring criteria for your course, and do one timed practice task under exam conditions. Keep review active and short: skim your notes on useful phrases for analysis and comment, and check the structure of a good outline. Stop heavy new learning and protect your sleep.
Pack your bag with admission letter, ID, pens, pencils, eraser, ruler, watch, water, and any permitted dictionary or text. Re-read the task instructions from a past practice paper so the wording is familiar. Do a light review of your outline routine and useful linking phrases, then stop early. Set two alarms, check the route, and go to bed at a normal time.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and check in as instructed. Switch off and store your phone and any smartwatch as required. Once seated, read the whole paper before writing, choose your task carefully, and note the time allocation for each section. Write your name and candidate details exactly as instructed.
Start with a short plan for each task, then write. Watch the clock at fixed checkpoints and leave time to reread your answers for tense, agreement, and spelling. If a task is unclear, reread the wording and use the context; if a formal issue arises, raise your hand and ask the invigilator rather than guessing. Keep answers in the language and format the task requires, and do not leave the room without following the invigilator's procedure.
Rules to check
Follow your school's instructions on ID and admission documents; confirm with the provider what is required if anything is unclear.
Bring only permitted aids. Confirm with the provider which dictionary, text edition, or other materials are allowed for your task before the exam.
Switch off and store phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices as instructed. Unauthorized devices can be treated as attempted cheating.
Follow the invigilator's rules on leaving the room, breaks, and toilet visits; ask before you leave your seat.
Write in the language and format the task requires, and keep to the time and page limits set by the paper.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not share or receive answers.
Scoring follows the official assessment criteria for the course; ask your teacher to explain how comprehension, analysis, and writing are weighted.
If you believe something is wrong with the paper or conditions, tell the invigilator immediately; confirm with the provider how objections are handled.