Sachsen-Anhalt Realschulabschluss English exam-day guide
Sachsen-Anhalt Realschulabschluss English · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission document and photo ID
Bring the invitation letter from your school and a valid photo ID (Personalausweis or passport). Confirm with your school which ID is accepted and whether a copy is sufficient, since rules can vary by school.
Know your exam room and seat number
Check the notice board or your school's written announcement shortly before the exam; room assignments are often posted only a day or two in advance.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write legibly in ink. Bring a spare; pencil is normally not accepted for the final written answers, but confirm with your teacher.
Pencil, eraser, sharpener
Useful for planning, underlining and any diagrams or marking tasks before you write the final version in ink.
Approved dictionary
For English, a monolingual or bilingual dictionary may be permitted depending on the task and school. Ask your teacher in advance which dictionary type is allowed and whether notes inside it are checked.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple wristwatch helps you pace the reading and writing sections. Smartwatches and phones are usually collected or banned; confirm the school's device policy.
Water and a small snack
Bring a clear bottle of water and something light for before or after the exam; check whether drinks are allowed on the desk.
Leave your phone and smart devices at home or switched off
Mobile phones, smartwatches and any connected devices are typically not allowed in the exam room. Confirm the school's exact rule on where devices must be stored.
Review the task types and timing
Know the typical structure: listening, reading, language/grammar and writing tasks. Confirm the exact sections, time limits and weighting with your teacher, as these depend on the current official requirements.
Prepare useful writing phrases
Memorise a small set of linking words and formal/informal email phrases you can adapt, rather than a full pre-learned text.
Plan your route and arrival time
Arrive well before the start; late arrival rules vary, so confirm with your school what happens if you are delayed.
Check any permitted aids list
Ask your teacher for the definitive list of allowed materials for your exam (dictionary, formula or grammar sheets, etc.), as this differs between tasks and schools.
Plan the day
Work through one full past-style paper under timed conditions, then mark it and list your three weakest task types. Spend the remaining time on those, not on everything at once. Review your phrase bank for emails, reports and opinion texts.
Practise reading and listening strategies: skimming for gist before detailed reading, predicting answers before listening, and checking spelling of common words. Confirm the exact exam sections, times and permitted aids with your teacher.
Prepare your materials: pens, ID, invitation letter, approved dictionary and watch. Check the exam room and start time. Sleep on a normal schedule; avoid last-minute cramming of new material.
Do a light review only: linking words, typical task instructions and your personal error list. Pack your bag with documents and pens. Set two alarms and plan transport. Stop studying early enough to sleep well.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and keep away from last-minute discussions that may confuse you. Hand in or switch off devices as instructed. Read the front page of the paper carefully for instructions and time allocation.
Read all tasks and instructions first, then allocate time per section and leave 5-10 minutes to check. Start with tasks you can do confidently, but do not skip any task entirely. For writing, plan briefly (points, structure, phrases), then write and proofread for tense, word order and spelling.
Watch the clock at each section boundary. If a listening task is played only once, focus on key words and note answers immediately. If you are unsure of a word, use context rather than leaving a blank. Ask an invigilator only about procedure, not content.
Check that your name and candidate details are filled in, all pages are present and answers are clearly numbered. Hand in all materials as instructed and leave quietly.
Rules to check
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times; ask them about procedural matters (time remaining, missing pages) but not about how to answer a task.
Bring the admission document and photo ID your school requires; without them you may not be admitted. Confirm the exact ID rule with your school in advance.
Mobile phones, smartwatches and other connected devices are generally not permitted in the exam room. Confirm where devices must be stored and what happens if one is found.
Only use permitted aids. If a dictionary is allowed, it must be your own clean copy; check with your teacher whether handwritten notes inside are permitted.
Breaks are usually only in line with the school's arrangements; confirm whether you may leave the room and whether the clock stops during a break.
Write your answers in the required form and language; answers in the wrong language or illegible handwriting may not be credited.
Academic honesty applies: no copying, no communication with others and no unauthorised material. Suspected cheating can lead to the exam being graded as failed or excluded.
Scoring and grading follow the official requirements for the Realschulabschluss in Sachsen-Anhalt. Confirm the current weighting of sections and the pass conditions with your school rather than relying on hearsay.