Bagrut Literature exam-day guide
Bagrut Literature · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo ID (teudat zehut or passport)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. Confirm with the provider whether a school-issued ID is accepted if you do not have a teudat zehut.
Official exam admission notice (if issued)
Some schools distribute a printed slip with your exam number and room. Confirm with the provider whether you need to bring it or whether it is held at the school.
Black or blue pens (at least two) and a pencil with eraser
Write essays and answers in pen; use pencil only for diagrams or if instructed. Check that pens write smoothly before the day.
Highlighter and correction tape (if permitted)
Confirm with the provider whether correction fluid or tape is allowed; some supervisors prohibit it. A highlighter is useful for marking key words in unseen texts.
Printed literary terms and timeline summary
A one-page sheet of definitions (metaphor, simile, personification, irony, motif, etc.) and key dates/periods for the works you studied. Confirm with the provider whether outside notes may be brought into the room; if not, use it only for last-minute review outside.
List of works and authors you studied
Write the exact titles and authors of the poems, stories, novels, and plays on your syllabus. This prevents misattribution in essays. Confirm the official list with your teacher.
Quotations or key lines (if memorization is required)
Prepare a small set of short quotations for each work. Confirm with the provider whether quoting from memory is required or whether the exam provides excerpts.
Water bottle and a light snack
Bring a clear bottle if the venue requires it. Avoid noisy packaging. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk.
Watch (non-smart)
Many exam rooms have clocks, but a simple wristwatch helps you pace essay writing. Smart watches are usually prohibited; confirm with the provider.
Arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes early
Locate your room and seat, and allow time for ID checks. Confirm the exact reporting time with the provider.
Review the instructions on the cover page before writing
Check the number of questions required, the choice rules, and the time allocation. Ask the supervisor if anything is unclear.
Confirm permitted electronic devices and bags policy
Phones must usually be switched off and stored away. Confirm with the provider where bags and phones are kept during the exam.
Plan the day
Make a final one-page summary for each work: title, author, genre, main characters, central conflict, key themes, and two or three short quotations. Do not reread entire texts; focus on your summaries and on practice questions.
Write at least one full timed essay or response under exam conditions (for example, 45–60 minutes). Then check it against the marking criteria: clear thesis, textual evidence, analysis of literary devices, and structure.
Review the format of the exam: how many questions, how many are compulsory, and how many points each section carries. Confirm the format with your teacher or the provider, as it can change between years.
Practice unseen-text analysis: read a poem or short passage you have not seen, identify the speaker, tone, central idea, and two devices, and write a short paragraph. This builds the skill tested in the unseen section.
Do a light review only: reread your one-page summaries and literary terms. Do not start new material. Prepare your bag with ID, pens, pencil, highlighter, water, and any permitted notes.
Confirm the exam location, reporting time, and room number with your school or the provider. Check transport and set two alarms.
Sleep at your normal time. Avoid cramming late; memory consolidation matters more than one more hour of review.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes early. Leave your phone switched off and stored as instructed. Do not discuss the material intensively with friends; it can increase anxiety.
Read the whole paper. Note which questions are compulsory and which offer a choice. Plan your time in writing on the answer sheet: allocate minutes per section and leave 10 minutes for checking.
Start with the question you know best to build confidence, but keep to your time plan. For essays, write a short outline (thesis, three points, evidence) before writing. For unseen texts, annotate the passage: underline key words, mark tone shifts, and label devices.
Check that you have answered the required number of questions, that your name and exam number are correct, and that you have not left any answer blank. Proofread for clarity and obvious errors. Do not rewrite whole paragraphs.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID and place it on the desk if instructed. Candidates without acceptable ID may be refused entry; confirm the exact ID policy with the provider before the exam day.
Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, must be switched off and stored outside your reach. Using a device during the exam is usually treated as a serious breach; confirm the provider's rules on devices.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam. Raise your hand if you need a supervisor. Any form of cheating or attempted cheating can lead to disqualification.
Write in the language of instruction and in the format required by the paper. Answers in the wrong language or format may not be marked; confirm with the provider if you are unsure.
Breaks are usually not permitted during the exam, but you may ask a supervisor to leave the room for urgent needs, accompanied if required. Confirm the provider's break and toilet policy.
Scoring is based on the official marking scheme: content, understanding of the text, analysis of literary devices, structure, and language. Answer the question asked, support claims with textual evidence, and avoid purely biographical or plot-summary answers.
If you believe there is an error in the paper, or you feel unwell, notify a supervisor immediately. Do not wait until the end of the exam.
Confirm with the provider whether you may bring water, snacks, or notes into the exam room, and whether correction tape is allowed. Policies vary by school and venue.