Državna Matura History exam-day guide
Državna Matura History · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification (personal ID card or passport)
Bring the original document with a photo, not a copy. Candidates usually verify identity at the entrance and again in the exam room. If you are unsure which document your school accepts, confirm with the provider (your school coordinator) before exam day.
Exam admission confirmation / candidate number
Print or save the confirmation your school issues showing your candidate code and the sessions you are registered for. You may need it at registration. If you have not received it, confirm with the provider in the final week.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written answers must be legible and in permanent ink. Bring spares; pencil is normally only for marking the answer sheet if instructions allow it. Check whether your school supplies answer sheets or expects you to bring anything specific.
Graphite pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for filling in multiple-choice answer sheets where the instructions permit pencil. Keep rough work clearly separated from final answers.
Watch (non-smart, silent)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you pace yourself if the room clock is not visible. Smart watches and phones are not permitted in the exam room, so leave them outside or switched off as instructed.
Transparent water bottle with the label removed
Small practical comfort item. Rules on drinks vary by exam centre, so confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at your desk.
Know your exact session times and room
The Državna matura is run in scheduled sessions (typically a morning and an afternoon slot on exam days). Confirm your personal timetable, room number and reporting time with your school coordinator, because these are set locally.
Review the official subject catalogue and formula/instruction pages
Re-read the official exam catalogue for each subject you sit, especially the structure, task types and any permitted aids. Do not rely on memory of the format from class tests.
Check permitted aids per subject (needs_review)
Some subjects (for example certain science or language papers) may allow specific aids such as a calculator or dictionary. Do not assume; confirm the exact permitted list for each subject with the provider and the official catalogue.
Sleep, food and transport plan
Plan your route and arrival with a buffer of at least 30 minutes. Late arrival may mean you are not admitted once the exam has started, so confirm the late-arrival rule with the provider.
Leave prohibited items at home or in your bag
Phones, smart watches, notes and unauthorised aids must not be at your desk. Follow the centre's instructions for where to store bags and devices.
Emergency contact and school coordinator number
Save your coordinator's number in case of transport problems or illness on the day, and know the procedure for reporting absence or requesting a resit.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating. Re-read your summaries and the official catalogue for each subject, and practise timing on past-paper-style tasks under exam conditions. Write out your personal timetable with reporting times and rooms. Prepare your documents and stationery in one bag. Confirm with the provider any uncertainty about permitted aids, ID and late arrival.
Do a light review of key definitions, formulas and essay structures only; avoid cramming new material. Check your route and transport, set two alarms, and pack your bag with ID, confirmation, pens, pencil, eraser and watch. Eat a normal meal, avoid late caffeine, and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Read the instructions for the first session once more so nothing on the paper surprises you.
Eat breakfast, arrive early with a buffer, and keep conversation light rather than comparing answers before the exam. At registration, present your ID and confirmation, follow seating instructions, and place prohibited items where directed. Once seated, read the front-page instructions and check the total marks and time before writing.
Read the whole paper or the instructions first, then allocate time by marks rather than by question order. Answer the questions you are confident about first, keep an eye on the clock, and leave time to check that every required question is attempted. For essays, plan briefly before writing. If you run out of time, write outline points rather than leaving a blank. Before handing in, check your candidate details and that all pages are completed as instructed.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo identification and your candidate confirmation; without them you may not be admitted. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Follow the centre's rules on prohibited items: phones, smart watches and unauthorised notes or aids must not be at your desk. Leaving a device on you can lead to your paper being annulled.
Arrive before the scheduled start. Once the exam has begun, admission and any time compensation are at the centre's discretion, so confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not remove question papers or answer sheets from the room unless the instructions explicitly allow it.
Write legibly in the required ink and follow the instructions on the answer sheet, including how to mark multiple-choice answers and how to correct mistakes.
If you need to leave the room (for example, for the toilet), raise your hand and wait for an invigilator; you will normally be accompanied and the clock will not be stopped. Confirm the centre's break and toilet rules with the provider.
Scoring is based on the official marking scheme for each subject; partial credit is often available, so attempt every question and show your working where relevant rather than leaving blanks.
If you are ill or cannot attend, contact your school coordinator as soon as possible and ask about the official absence and resit procedure; do not assume a missed session can be retaken automatically.