Schleswig-Holstein Abitur Math exam-day guide
Schleswig-Holstein Abitur Math · 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 copy is accepted differ by school; confirm with the provider before exam day.
Approved calculator
Use only the calculator model your course has approved. In Schleswig-Holstein the permitted aids (e.g. a graphing calculator with or without computer algebra, or a simple scientific calculator) depend on the course level and the specific exam; confirm the exact list with your teacher/provider. Clear memory or reset to the required state if instructed.
Formula/reference materials if allowed
Some exams permit a provided formula collection or table. Do not bring your own annotated copies unless explicitly allowed; confirm with the provider which printed aids are supplied in the room.
Writing and drawing equipment
Several pens, pencils, eraser, sharpener, ruler, set square, compass, and colored pens for sketches. Bring more than you need; borrowing during the exam may be restricted.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analog or digital watch helps you pace yourself if the room clock is hard to see. Smartwatches and phones are not permitted as timekeepers.
Water and a light snack
Bring a clear bottle of water and something small to eat during any break. Check the provider's rules on food and drink at the desk.
Know the start time and room
Confirm the exact start time, room, and reporting time. Arrive early; late arrival rules are set by the school - confirm with the provider what happens if you are delayed.
Review the task structure in advance
Know how many tasks are offered and how many you must solve, and whether there is a choice. The number and weighting of tasks vary by course and year; confirm the format for your exam with your teacher.
Plan your time budget
Before the exam, decide roughly how many minutes to spend on each task and on checking. Adjust once you see the actual paper and its point values.
Phone switched off and stored
Leave phones and smart devices switched off and stored as instructed. Bringing an unauthorized device to the desk can be treated as a rule violation.
Confirm permitted aids list
The precise list of allowed aids (calculator type, formula sheets, dictionaries for bilingual candidates) is exam-specific. Confirm with the provider rather than relying on general assumptions.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating. Review your own summary sheets of key topics (analysis, linear algebra/geometry, stochastics, depending on your course), redo a few representative tasks under time pressure, and list the typical errors you make (sign errors, forgetting units, misreading 'bestimme' vs 'berechne'). Confirm logistics: start time, room, permitted aids, and transport.
Do one light timed practice run or review worked examples rather than full new problem sets. Re-read the permitted-aids list and prepare your equipment bag: admission letter, ID, calculator with fresh batteries, spare batteries, pens, geometry tools, watch, water. Get a full night's sleep; avoid cramming new material late.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive early, and check you have the admission letter, ID, and approved calculator. Do a short warm-up (one small problem or a formula review) rather than a heavy session. Switch off and stow your phone before entering the room.
Read the instructions and the full set of tasks before writing. Note which tasks are compulsory and which are optional, check the point values, and write down your time plan. Read each chosen task completely, including sub-parts and any 'geben Sie an' or 'begründen Sie' demands.
Work in the order you planned, starting with the task you are most confident in. Show your method: in German Abitur math, the way (Ansatz, Rechenweg) usually earns more credit than the final number. Watch units and rounding, and mark tasks you skip so you can return. If a result looks implausible, sanity-check it briefly rather than abandoning the whole approach.
Stop starting new sub-parts. Check that every required sub-part has an answer, that units and rounding are correct, and that you have transferred answers to any required answer sheet. Make sure your name and candidate number are on every sheet you hand in.
Rules to check
Follow the school's instructions on ID and admission documents; the exact requirements are set locally, so confirm with the provider what you must present.
Bring only permitted aids. Unauthorized devices (phones, smartwatches, unauthorized calculators or notes) must be switched off and stored as instructed; using them can be treated as a rule violation.
Breaks and leaving the room are regulated by the invigilators. Ask before leaving and do not take exam materials with you; confirm the provider's specific break rules.
Communication with other candidates during the exam is not allowed. Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator if you have a question or need materials.
Write legibly and show your working. Answers without a comprehensible method may lose credit even if the final value is correct.
Scoring and grading follow the official statewide framework and the school's marking scheme; the weighting of tasks is set for your course. Confirm the details with your teacher rather than assuming a fixed points-to-grade conversion.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper (misprint, missing page, faulty equipment), report it to an invigilator immediately and note it; do not attempt to resolve it silently.
Rules on what happens if you are late or ill are set by the school and the examination office. Confirm with the provider in advance so you know whom to contact and what documentation is needed.