Državna Matura French exam-day guide
Državna Matura French · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo ID
Bring the identity document recognised for the exam (typically an ID card or passport). Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a school ID alone is sufficient.
Exam admission slip / candidate number
If the school or provider issues a confirmation of registration or a candidate number, print it and keep it with your ID. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or whether the school handles it.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written answers must be legible. Bring two working pens of the same colour plus a spare; check with the provider whether erasable pens are banned.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any answer sheet where the provider allows pencil. Confirm with the provider which sections must be answered in ink.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms may not have a visible clock. A simple analogue watch helps you pace the reading, listening and writing sections. Smartwatches and phones are usually prohibited at the desk.
Clear water bottle
Stay hydrated, especially before the listening section. Labels are sometimes required to be removed; confirm with the provider.
Know the exact start time and room
Arrive with a margin before the doors close. Late arrival rules vary; confirm with the provider how late entry is handled and whether listening sections can be joined after they start.
Check the permitted materials list
Dictionaries, grammar reference sheets and formula tables are usually restricted in language exams. Confirm with the provider exactly what is allowed for each paper.
Phone switched off and stored
Phones and smart devices must be off and out of reach during the exam. Confirm with the provider where they must be left.
Plan the route and transport
Check travel time and possible disruptions the day before. Aim to be at the building well before the scheduled start.
Rest and breakfast
A full night's sleep and a normal breakfast matter more than last-minute cramming, particularly for the listening section.
Confirm scoring and grading details
Understand how the papers are weighted and what the pass threshold is. Confirm with the provider or your school, since these details can change between sessions.
Plan the day
Do one full timed mock of the paper you find hardest, using the same section order and timing as the real exam. Mark it strictly and list only the error types you repeat, not every mistake.
Re-read the task instructions for the written production: word count, register, required content points and how the response is marked. Practise planning a response in two or three minutes before writing.
Review your personal error list: recurring grammar points, false friends, connectors and spelling traps. Keep it short enough to reread in twenty minutes.
Do a short listening session in exam conditions: audio played once, no pausing, answers written as you listen. Then check the transcript if one is available.
Pack your bag: ID, admission slip, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, water. Put everything by the door.
Confirm the start time, room and transport. Check the provider's instructions on permitted materials and on late arrival.
Do light revision only: skim your error list and a few model structures. No new material and no full mock in the evening.
Set two alarms, eat a normal meal, avoid heavy screen time and go to bed at a reasonable hour.
Eat breakfast, arrive early, and skim only your short error list. Do not try to learn new vocabulary or grammar on the way in.
Skim the questions before the text, then read for the specific information each question needs. Do not spend too long on one item; mark it and return if time allows.
Read the questions in the pause before the audio starts. Write short answers as you listen, then complete them in the time allowed after each recording.
Spend a few minutes planning, write to the required word count and register, then reserve time to check agreement, tenses, accents and the content points the task requires.
Check that every item is answered, that no answer is outside the marked area, and that your name and candidate details are filled in as instructed.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document required by the provider and keep it visible on the desk. If you are unsure which document is accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Electronic devices, including phones and smartwatches, must be switched off and stored as instructed. Keeping a device on your person during the exam can lead to disqualification, so confirm with the provider where devices must be left.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on timing, moving between sections and leaving the room. Rules on toilet breaks and on leaving early vary; confirm with the provider rather than assuming.
Answer in the language and format the task requires. Off-topic responses, responses below the required word count or answers written outside the designated area may receive reduced or no credit; confirm the marking rules with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not look at another candidate's paper. Suspected misconduct is handled under the provider's disciplinary procedure.
Use only permitted materials. Dictionaries, notes and reference sheets are usually restricted in language papers; confirm with the provider which items are allowed for each section.
If you believe there is an error in a task or a disturbance in the room, raise it with the invigilator at the time and note it afterwards, following the provider's appeal or complaint procedure.
Check the scoring and grading rules for your session in advance, including how sections are weighted and what counts as a pass. Confirm with the provider, as these details can change.