Državna Matura Visual Arts exam-day guide
Državna Matura Visual Arts · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official identification document
Bring a valid photo ID (typically an ID card or passport). Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a school-issued ID suffices.
Exam admission confirmation / candidate number
Print or save the confirmation showing your candidate code and exam centre. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital version is acceptable.
Required drawing and writing tools
Bring graphite pencils in several grades, eraser, sharpener, and blue/black ballpoint pens for written answers. Check the subject specification for which media are permitted on the practical task.
Permitted art media for the practical task
The exact permitted media (e.g. coloured pencils, charcoal, ink, markers) depend on the set task. Confirm with the provider and your teacher which materials are allowed and whether the school supplies paper.
Paper or answer sheets
In many cases the exam centre supplies official answer sheets and drawing paper. Confirm with the provider whether you may or must bring your own, and what format/size is required.
Watch (non-smart, no audible alarm)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you pace the practical task. Smart watches and phones are usually not allowed at the desk; confirm with the provider.
Clear water bottle and small snack
Practical art tasks can run long. Bring a transparent bottle and a quiet snack if the centre permits food; confirm with the provider.
Know the exact start time and arrival time
Arrive with a margin before the doors close. Confirm with the provider the arrival deadline and what happens if you are late.
Know the duration and structure of the paper
Confirm with the provider how long the practical paper lasts and how many tasks it contains, so you can plan your time on the day.
Check the permitted calculator/phone policy
Phones and smart devices are generally prohibited in the exam room. Confirm with the provider where devices must be stored.
Rest and logistics plan
Plan travel, sleep, and meals so you arrive calm. Confirm the exam centre location and route in advance.
Plan the day
Re-read the subject specification and the practical task requirements. Practise one timed run-through of a typical task using only the media you will actually bring, so you know how long each stage takes.
Prepare and test your materials: sharpen pencils, check erasers and sharpeners, confirm pens write, and pack everything in one bag. Replace anything unreliable.
Confirm with the provider the exam centre address, start time, arrival deadline, permitted materials, and ID requirements. Resolve any uncertainty now, not on the day.
Do a light review only: composition planning, tonal/value planning, and annotation or written-response structure. Avoid learning new techniques.
Lay out clothes, ID, confirmation, and the packed materials bag. Charge nothing you cannot bring; leave smart devices at home or plan storage.
Sleep early and eat normally. Long practical papers reward steady energy more than last-minute cramming.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive at the centre ahead of the deadline, and locate the room and any storage for bags and devices.
Before entering, check your materials against the checklist: ID, confirmation, pencils, eraser, sharpener, pens, permitted media, watch.
Read all tasks and instructions first. Note the marks available and allocate time to each part, leaving a buffer for finishing and checking.
Plan before drawing: sketch composition lightly, establish values and proportions early, then refine. Keep written annotations legible and relevant to the task.
Watch the clock at planned checkpoints. If time runs short, secure the marks you can (complete the required elements) rather than perfecting one area.
Before handing in, check that your candidate details are correct, all pages/tasks are completed, and nothing required has been left blank.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo identification and your exam admission confirmation; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Follow the centre's rules on phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices; they are generally not permitted at the desk. Confirm with the provider where devices must be stored.
Use only the media and materials permitted for the practical task. Confirm with the provider before the exam which media are allowed.
Arrive before the stated deadline; confirm with the provider the late-arrival policy and whether extra time is granted.
Breaks during the paper are usually not permitted; confirm with the provider the policy on toilet visits and supervised breaks.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not bring unauthorized notes or reference material into the room.
Marks are awarded against the published assessment criteria; read the task requirements carefully and address every required element. Confirm with the provider how the practical work is marked.
If you believe there is a problem with the room, materials, or timing, raise it with the invigilator immediately and confirm the provider's appeal or complaint procedure afterwards.