Saxony Abitur Sorbian exam-day guide
Saxony Abitur Sorbian · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Personal photo ID (Personalausweis or passport)
Bring the original document; check that it is valid on the exam date. Whether a expired ID or a certified copy is accepted is set by the school or the Sächsische Bildungsagentur - confirm with the provider.
Exam admission notification (Einladung/Meldebestätigung)
Bring the letter or printout naming the exam centre, date, and your candidate number. If you have not received one, contact the school before exam day.
Black or blue ballpoint pens and spare pens
Bring at least two reliable pens in the same colour. Whether pencil is allowed for diagrams or planning notes is set by the invigilator - confirm with the provider.
Pencil, eraser, sharpener, and a small ruler
Useful for planning, underlining, and any diagram-based tasks. Keep them in a clear pencil case if the centre requires transparent containers.
Approved Sorbian–German and German–Sorbian dictionary
Check the permitted dictionary list for your course (e.g. Deutsch-Sorbisches Wörterbuch). Electronic dictionaries are generally not permitted; confirm the exact rules with the provider.
Approved monolingual German dictionary (if permitted)
Some tasks may allow a German-only dictionary. Whether it is allowed for your specific paper depends on the course and task type - confirm with the provider.
Clear water bottle with the label removed
Bring water to stay focused during a long written exam. Food and drink rules vary by centre; check the invigilator's instructions.
Watch (non-smart, no communication functions)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you pace the sections. Smartwatches and phones must be switched off and stored away.
Phone switched off and stored outside the exam room
Follow the centre's rule for where to leave your phone. Do not keep it on your person during the exam.
Arrive at the exam centre at least 30 minutes early
Allow time for ID checks, seating, and settling in. The exact arrival time is set by the school - confirm with the provider.
Review the task instructions and time allocation the day before
Know how many tasks you must answer, how many points each carries, and roughly how many minutes to spend on each. Do not rely on memory alone.
Confirm the permitted aids (Needs review)
The exact list of allowed dictionaries, grammar aids, and annotation rules for the Sorbian paper can change. Verify the current list with the provider before the final 72 hours.
Plan the day
Re-read the official task types for the Sorbian Abitur paper (e.g. comprehension, analysis, composition, translation, or language reflection). Make a one-page overview of task types, point values, and suggested times.
Confirm logistics: exam centre address, start time, transport, and whether you need to bring your own dictionary. Contact the school if anything is unclear.
Do one timed practice task under exam conditions using only permitted aids. Afterwards, mark it against the criteria and note the two biggest weaknesses to address.
Review your Sorbian–German and German–Sorbian dictionary: check how to look up verb forms, prefixes, and idioms quickly. Practise five look-ups you would need in a writing task.
Light revision only: key vocabulary, connectives, and text-structure phrases in Sorbian. Stop studying by early evening and prepare clothes, ID, pens, and dictionary for the next day.
Pack your bag with the checklist items. Place ID, admission notification, pens, dictionary, and water together so nothing is forgotten.
Do a short review of your own error list and the task-type overview. Avoid new material and avoid staying up late.
Set two alarms, plan breakfast, and check transport times. Aim for at least 8 hours of sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the centre at least 30 minutes before the start. Leave your phone switched off and stored as instructed.
Once seated, read the whole paper's instructions before writing. Check how many tasks are compulsory and how many points each carries.
Skim all tasks and choose your order. Write a short time plan in the margin: for example, 15 minutes planning, 60 minutes writing, 15 minutes checking for a 90-minute paper.
For each task, underline the operator (e.g. analyse, compare, comment) and note the required text type and register. Answer in Sorbian unless the task says otherwise.
Check that you have answered every required task, that your handwriting is legible, and that you have used the correct language. Correct obvious grammar and spelling errors if time allows.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID and your admission notification. The invigilator may check identity at the door; if your ID is expired or missing, the centre decides whether you may sit the paper - confirm the exact rule with the provider in advance.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on permitted aids. Dictionaries and other materials must be the approved editions; using unapproved aids or electronic devices can lead to exclusion from the exam.
Switch off all phones and smart devices and store them where instructed. Do not keep them on your person or on the desk during the exam.
Breaks are usually not permitted during the written exam except for emergencies. Raise your hand and wait for the invigilator; do not leave the room without permission.
Write in Sorbian for Sorbian-language tasks and in German only where the task explicitly requires it. Check the task's language instruction before you start.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam. Any attempt to exchange information or use unauthorised notes is treated as an examination offence.
Scoring is based on the official assessment criteria for the paper: content, structure, language accuracy, and task fulfilment. The weighting of each criterion is set by the examination board - confirm the details with the provider.
If you finish early, use the remaining time to check your work. Leaving the room before the end of the exam may be restricted; ask the invigilator before packing up.