MATSEC AM English exam-day guide
MATSEC AM English · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the ID document the exam centre requires (typically a passport or national ID card). The exact accepted forms and whether a Maltese ID card alone suffices should be confirmed with the provider or your school's examinations officer before the exam day.
Statement of entry / exam timetable slip
Bring the entry statement or timetable slip naming your subject, level (Advanced or Intermediate) and venue. If you have not received one, ask your school's examinations officer well in advance.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write in dark ink. Bring spares; a pen that runs out mid-essay costs time you cannot recover. Pencil is normally only for diagrams or multiple-choice answer sheets if the paper uses them.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for planning, annotating and any objective or diagram-based sections. Keep them in a clear pencil case if the centre requires transparent containers.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require stationery to be visible. Confirm the centre's rule on pencil cases with the provider; if unsure, carry pens loose in a clear bag.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam halls do not always have a visible clock, and phones must be switched off and stored. A plain analogue or digital watch without smart features is the safest option. Confirm whether watches are permitted in your centre.
Water in a clear, label-free bottle
Stay hydrated for a long writing paper. Remove labels and check the centre's policy on drinks at the desk; some centres require bottles on the floor.
Confirm venue, room and start time
Check the exact building, room and reporting time at least 48 hours ahead. Arrive earlier than the stated start to allow for seating and ID checks. If your centre's arrival policy is unclear, confirm with the provider.
Know the paper's structure and timing
Re-read the specification or syllabus for your level so you know the number of sections, whether questions are compulsory or choice-based, and the recommended time per section. Do not rely on memory of past papers alone.
Plan your journey and a backup
Work out travel time plus a buffer, and identify a fallback route or lift. Late arrival can mean you are not admitted or lose reading time; the exact cut-off is a centre policy to confirm with the provider.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or stored
Any phone, smartwatch or earbud brought into the hall must be switched off and stored as directed. Unauthorised devices at the desk can lead to disqualification, so treat this as non-negotiable.
Rest, food and a calm pre-exam routine
Sleep properly the night before and eat a proper breakfast. Cramming new material in the final hours raises anxiety more than it raises marks; review your own notes and plans instead.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content and switch to consolidation. Re-read the specification for your level, list the text types or question types the paper can ask, and check that you know the format, section structure and mark allocation. Confirm your venue, reporting time and ID requirements with your school's examinations officer or the provider.
Do one timed practice paper under exam conditions, then mark it honestly against the mark scheme. Identify the two or three weaknesses that cost the most marks (for example planning time, quoting evidence, register and tone, or sentence control) and target those in your remaining revision.
Build a one-page summary sheet in your own words: structural features of the text types you may be asked to write, a short list of discourse markers for linking, and a checklist for proofreading. Keep it short enough to re-read in five minutes.
Do a light review only: your summary sheet, a few model openings and conclusions, and any quotations or key terms you have already learned. Do not start a new topic or attempt a full paper late in the day.
Prepare your bag: ID, entry statement, at least two dark pens, pencil, eraser, sharpener, clear pencil case, non-smart watch, label-free water bottle. Lay out clothes and confirm transport arrangements and timings.
Set a realistic bedtime and avoid screens late in the evening. Check the weather and any travel disruptions, and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal rather than a heavy or unusual one.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Re-read only your one-page summary sheet for a few minutes; do not attempt new practice questions. Arrive at the venue with a generous buffer before the reporting time.
Switch off your phone and any smart device before entering the hall and store them as directed. Have your ID and entry statement ready for checking, and take your seat without conversation once instructed.
Read the instructions on the front of the paper carefully, check the number of questions and whether there is a choice, and confirm the total time. Read all questions or prompts before starting so you can choose wisely if choice is allowed.
Spend a few minutes planning each extended response: purpose, audience, register, structure and the key points or evidence you will use. A brief plan prevents the mid-essay collapse that costs whole bands of marks.
Allocate time in proportion to marks and stick to it. Watch for the recommended time per section, keep handwriting legible, and leave space for corrections rather than dense scribbling. Answer the question actually set, not the one you prepared.
Reserve the last five to ten minutes to proofread for sentence boundaries, subject-verb agreement, tense consistency, spelling of common words and clear paragraphing. Check that every question you intended to answer has been attempted and that question numbers match the answer booklet.
Rules to check
Bring the identification the centre requires and present it when asked. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider or your school's examinations officer before the exam day rather than on the morning.
Phones, smartwatches, earbuds and any other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as directed before you enter the hall. Possession of unauthorised material at the desk can lead to disqualification, so if in doubt, hand it in.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, timing, starting and stopping writing. Writing after the instruction to stop, or before the instruction to start, is a breach of regulations; the exact penalty is a matter for the awarding body to confirm with the provider.
Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator if you need to leave the room, feel unwell, or need extra paper. Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not borrow stationery from them.
Write your answers in the spaces or answer booklet specified, and make sure your candidate number and details are correct. Work written outside the designated areas or on unauthorised paper may not be marked.
Breaks and supervised rest periods are set by the centre, not by the candidate. If you need to leave the hall temporarily, expect to be escorted and supervised; confirm the centre's arrangements with the provider if this affects you.
Marks are awarded for what is written in the answer booklet against the published mark scheme, including accuracy in spelling, punctuation and grammar where the paper assesses it. Legible handwriting and clear structure directly affect your score.
Malpractice, including impersonation, bringing in unauthorised notes, or attempting to access information during the exam, is treated seriously and can result in the loss of the grade for that paper or the whole qualification. The awarding body's regulations govern the outcome; confirm the details with the provider.