Schleswig-Holstein Abitur English exam-day guide
Schleswig-Holstein Abitur English · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission document and photo ID
Bring the invitation/admission letter issued by your school and a valid photo ID. The exact ID requirements and whether a school ID card is accepted can differ between schools; confirm with the provider (your school's Oberstufenleitung) before exam day.
Confirmed exam timetable and room
Check the official notice for the date, start time, room, and any changed arrangements. Written Abitur exams usually start in the morning, but do not rely on memory; verify the posted schedule.
Permitted dictionaries
For English, a monolingual English dictionary is commonly allowed, and some formats allow a bilingual dictionary for certain tasks. Which dictionaries are permitted, and whether they must be unmarked, is set by the school or the ministry; confirm with the provider and check the dictionary for handwritten notes.
Approved text edition or materials
If your course requires an annotated edition or a specific text, bring the exact permitted copy. Whether you may bring it, and whether annotations are allowed, depends on the task; confirm with the provider.
Writing tools and spares
Bring several pens (blue or black, waterproof if required), spare cartridges, pencils, an eraser, and a ruler. Do not bring correction fluid or tape unless the school explicitly permits it.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analogue or digital wristwatch helps you pace yourself. Smartwatches and phones are not allowed at the desk; confirm the school's rule on where devices must be stored.
Food and drink
Bring water in a clear, label-free bottle if the school allows drinks, plus a quiet snack for longer sessions. Rules on food and drink in the exam room vary; confirm with the provider.
No phone or smart devices at the desk
Leave your phone switched off and stored as instructed, or leave it at home. A phone found at your desk, even unused, can be treated as an irregularity.
Plan for arrival and transport
Arrive well before the stated start time, allowing for delays. Late arrival rules are set by the school; do not assume you will be admitted, and confirm the procedure with the provider.
Clarify permitted aids in advance
Ask your teacher before exam day exactly which aids (dictionary, text, notes, calculator) are allowed for the English paper. Do not bring anything you have not had confirmed.
Rest and logistics the night before
Sleep, eat a normal breakfast, and know how long the paper runs. The total working time and any reading or selection time are fixed by the exam regulations; confirm the exact duration and structure with the provider.
Plan the day
Review the format rather than cramming content. Re-read the task types you may face (comprehension, analysis, comment, and possibly a mediation or listening component), and practise allocating time across them. Check which aids are permitted and prepare them. Confirm the date, room, and start time on the official notice. Get your dictionary and text edition ready and free of notes if that is required.
Pack your bag: admission letter, photo ID, pens, spares, watch, permitted dictionary or text, water and a snack. Lay out clothes and plan transport. Do one short, light review of useful phrases for analysis and argumentation, then stop. Avoid learning new material late. Set two alarms and go to bed at a normal time.
Eat breakfast and arrive early. Leave your phone switched off and stored as instructed. Check that you have your admission letter and ID before leaving. Once seated, read the front of the paper carefully: number of tasks, choice rules, time allowed, and any instructions on aids. Listen to the invigilator's announcements and ask about anything unclear before the clock starts.
Read all tasks and any choice options before writing. Decide which task(s) you will answer, and note the recommended time per task. Plan a brief outline for each written response so your structure is clear.
Keep to your time plan and leave a buffer at the end. For comprehension, answer in your own words and cite lines where asked. For analysis, use clear paragraphing, refer to the text with line numbers, and connect language features to effect and meaning. For a comment or argumentative task, state a position, support it with reasons and examples, and address a counter-argument. For mediation, adapt the register and focus on the required information, not a word-for-word translation.
Reserve time to check that you have answered every required part, that your handwriting is legible, and that you have numbered tasks and pages correctly. Check tense, agreement, spelling of key terms, and that quotations are accurate. Do not rewrite whole passages; make targeted corrections.
Rules to check
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times. If you are unsure about a procedure, ask before the exam begins rather than guessing.
Bring and display the admission document and photo ID as required. The exact ID rule is school-specific; confirm with the provider.
Keep phones and smart devices switched off and stored as instructed. Unauthorized devices or aids at the desk can be treated as an attempt to cheat.
Use only the aids that have been confirmed as permitted for this paper. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, leave it outside the room and ask.
Breaks and leaving the room are usually regulated and may be supervised; the exact rules differ by school. Confirm the procedure with the provider and do not leave without permission.
Write legibly and identify your work as instructed. Work that cannot be attributed or read may not be marked correctly.
If you feel unwell or something disrupts the exam, tell the invigilator immediately. Procedures for illness and withdrawal are set by the school and ministry; confirm them with the provider.
Scoring and weighting follow the official framework for the Abitur English paper, including any oral or presentation component in your course. Do not rely on second-hand claims about weightings; confirm the applicable rules with your teacher or the provider.