Saarland Abitur Technik-Englisch exam-day guide
Saarland Abitur Technik-Englisch · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission document and photo ID
Bring the invitation/admission notice issued by your school or the examination board plus a valid photo ID (Personalausweis or passport). Confirm with your school which document serves as the official admission ticket, since procedures are set at school level.
Confirm permitted reference materials
Technik-Englisch tasks often involve technical texts and diagrams. Ask your teacher in advance whether a monolingual English dictionary, a bilingual dictionary, or a formula/terminology sheet is allowed. Do not assume - confirm with the provider (your school/fachliche Referenz).
Confirm permitted tools (calculator, drawing instruments)
Whether a non-programmable calculator, ruler, or set square is permitted in the English paper varies by task type and school. Confirm with the provider and only bring what is explicitly allowed.
No electronic devices unless explicitly permitted
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and other networked devices are normally not allowed in the examination room. Confirm with the provider how devices must be handed in or stored.
Writing materials in the required colour
Bring several pens (usually blue or black, with a spare), pencils, and an eraser. Confirm whether the school requires a specific ink colour for the final version.
Water and a small snack for breaks
Long written examinations can run several hours. Bring a clear bottle of water and a snack, and confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you manage time if the room clock is not visible. Smartwatches are not acceptable; confirm whether any watch is permitted.
Know the exact start time and room
Check the room and start time the day before. Arrive early - typically well before the start - and confirm with the provider how late arrival is handled.
Review the task structure and timing plan
Know in advance how many tasks there are, which are compulsory, and how many points each carries. Practise allocating minutes per task so you do not overrun on one section.
Prepare technical vocabulary notes for revision only
Use technical English vocabulary lists (e.g., materials, energy, mechanics, electronics) during revision. Bring them only if the provider confirms that notes are allowed - usually they are not.
Plan transport and a buffer
Allow extra travel time for public transport delays. Confirm with the provider what happens if you are delayed or ill on the day.
Check illness/withdrawal procedure in advance
If you are ill, there is usually a formal procedure (medical certificate, immediate notification). Confirm the exact steps and deadlines with your school before exam day.
Plan the day
Consolidate rather than cram: review technical vocabulary by topic (materials, energy, mechanics, electronics, structures), re-read your summary sheets, and do one timed practice task under exam conditions. Check the admission documents, ID, and permitted materials. Confirm room, start time, and transport. Sleep on a regular schedule.
Do light revision only - skim vocabulary and task-type strategies (e.g., how to approach a technical description, a diagram interpretation, or an argumentative text). Pack your bag: admission document, ID, pens, watch, water, snack. Confirm with the provider which aids are allowed so you do not bring prohibited items. Set an alarm and plan to arrive early.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive at the school with a buffer, and hand in any devices as instructed. Read the front page of the paper carefully: number of tasks, compulsory/optional choices, points, and time allowed. Before writing, skim all tasks and note which you will do. Keep an eye on the clock and leave time to check your answers.
Read each task fully before answering. For technical texts, identify the key terms and the relationship between components or processes. Structure longer answers with clear paragraphs or bullet points, and use subject-specific vocabulary accurately. If a task is unclear, move on and return to it. Reserve the last minutes to check spelling, grammar, and whether you answered every required part.
Rules to check
Bring the admission document and a valid photo ID; confirm with the provider which document is required and what happens if you forget it.
Electronic devices such as mobile phones and smartwatches must normally be switched off and handed in; confirm with the provider how and where.
Only use aids (dictionaries, calculator, drawing instruments) that the provider has explicitly permitted; unapproved aids can lead to exclusion from the examination.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, start and end times, and leaving the room; confirm with the provider the rules on toilet breaks during the examination.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the examination and do not take examination materials out of the room.
If you are ill or cannot attend, notify your school immediately and follow the official procedure (e.g., medical certificate); confirm the exact deadlines with the provider.
Scoring and grading follow the school's or examination board's published criteria; ask your teacher in advance how the paper is marked so you can prioritise high-value tasks.
If you believe there is an error in the paper, raise it with the invigilator rather than guessing; confirm with the provider how such issues are handled.