MATSEC AM English
MATSEC Advanced Level English
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Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
MATSEC Advanced Level English is an Advanced Matriculation (AM) subject examination set by the MATSEC Examinations Board, which is part of L-Università ta' Malta and is based at the University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta. The Board publishes its own regulations, guidelines and policies, syllabi, current session information, past papers, and marking schemes and exemplars on its website, so candidates should treat those documents as the authoritative statement of what the examination requires. The qualification is typically taken by students completing post-secondary study in Malta who need an Advanced Level English result for university matriculation or for further study in English, and by private candidates preparing externally. The examination is built around four broad areas of competence: reading and comprehension of demanding prose; writing and composition, including extended discursive and argumentative work; literature and textual analysis of set or unseen literary material; and language use and accuracy, covering grammar, lexis, register and mechanics. Because the syllabus and session arrangements are revised from time to time, candidates should confirm the current syllabus, texts and session details directly with the Board rather than relying on second-hand summaries. Sound preparation means reading widely and critically, practising timed essays with feedback, learning to write close textual analysis with evidence, and drilling grammar and usage until accuracy becomes habitual. Past papers and marking schemes are the best guide to the standard expected.
What you'll study
About MATSEC AM English preparation
Who sets and administers the examination?
The MATSEC Examinations Board, which sits within L-Università ta' Malta. Its published contact details are phone +356 2340 2814/5/6, email [email protected], and address MATSEC Examinations Board, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta. The Board's website hosts the regulations, guidelines and policies, syllabi, current session information, past papers, and marking schemes and exemplars.
Where do I find the official syllabus and regulations?
From the MATSEC Examinations Board section of the University of Malta website, which lists Regulations, Guidelines and policies, Syllabi, Current Session Information, Applications, Past Papers, and Marking Schemes and Exemplars. Always work from the syllabus for your own session, since content and set texts can change between sessions, and check the current session information for administrative arrangements.
How is the examination structured?
The Board publishes the structure in its syllabus and past papers rather than in a single summary, so read the syllabus for your session and look at several recent papers to see the pattern of sections and tasks. Treat any structure described in a forum or commercial guide as unverified until you have checked it against the Board's own documents.
How difficult is Advanced Level English?
It is a post-secondary, matriculation-level qualification, so it assumes secure general English and asks you to read demanding texts critically, write at length under time pressure, and analyse literary material closely. Candidates who read widely and write regularly cope best; those who rely on classroom notes alone often find the extended writing and unseen analysis the hardest parts.
Can I resit if I do not get the grade I need?
Resit arrangements are governed by the Board's regulations, which are published on its website, so check those regulations and the current session information for the rules that apply to you. Do not assume a resit is automatic or free of conditions; confirm deadlines, application procedures and any restrictions with the Board directly before planning a repeat attempt.
How should I organise my study time?
Start from the syllabus and work backwards from the examination session. Build a weekly habit of reading serious prose and literary texts, write at least one timed essay or analysis each week, and mark your own work against the published marking schemes and exemplars. Leave the final weeks for full past papers under timed conditions rather than for learning new material.
What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?
Typical weaknesses are thin, unsupported argument; description of a text instead of analysis of how language and form create meaning; ignoring the precise wording of the question; and recurring slips in grammar, punctuation and register. Running out of time because of poor planning is also common. Reading the marking schemes shows how examiners reward close reference to the text and controlled, accurate expression.
How do I contact the Board with an administrative question?
Phone +356 2340 2814/5/6 or email [email protected]. The postal address is MATSEC Examinations Board, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta. For general University of Malta enquiries the switchboard is +356 2340 2340 and [email protected], but examination questions should go to the MATSEC address.