MATSEC AM Italian exam-day guide
MATSEC AM Italian · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the original ID document accepted by your centre (typically a passport or Maltese ID card). Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a photocopy is ever permitted; assume originals only unless told otherwise.
Examination admission slip or candidate number
If your school or the MATSEC Examinations Board issues an admission slip, candidate number or timetable confirmation, print it and keep it with your ID. Confirm with the provider what document, if any, is required for entry.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write in ink unless instructed otherwise. Bring spares; pencil is normally only for diagrams or multiple-choice answer sheets if the paper uses them. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted for any section.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough work, diagrams and any machine-read answer sheet. Keep them in a clear pencil case if your centre requires transparent cases.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require stationery to be visible. Confirm with the provider whether a clear case is mandatory and what size is allowed.
Wristwatch (non-smart, non-connected)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A plain analogue or digital watch without connectivity is normally acceptable; smartwatches and phones must be switched off and stored as instructed.
Water in a clear, label-free bottle
Stay hydrated, especially for a long written paper. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at your desk and whether labels must be removed.
Review the prescribed texts and set works list
For Italian literature and culture components, re-read the specific texts, authors and themes named in the current syllabus. Confirm with the provider which editions and which set works apply to your session, since lists change.
Practise the paper's component structure
Know in advance how many sections there are (for example comprehension, language use, composition, literature) and how marks are divided, using the current syllabus and past papers. Confirm with the provider the exact structure and duration for your level.
Plan your timing for each section
Write down a minute budget per section before the exam and rehearse it on a timed past paper. Allocate extra time to the composition or essay, and leave a few minutes to check written Italian for agreement, accents and spelling.
Transport and arrival plan
Check the venue, start time and reporting time, and plan to arrive with margin for traffic. Confirm with the provider the exact reporting time and what happens if you are late.
Leave prohibited items at home or in storage
Phones, smart devices, notes and unauthorised dictionaries must not be in the exam room. Confirm with the provider whether any dictionary is allowed for your paper, as rules differ by component and level.
Plan the day
Confirm the venue, date, start and reporting times, and which components you are sitting, using your official timetable. Check your ID is valid and locate your pens, watch and clear case. Re-read the syllabus section on paper structure and mark allocation so you know exactly what each section demands.
Do one full timed past paper under exam conditions, without notes, then mark it honestly. Focus your remaining revision on the weakest section rather than re-reading everything. For literature components, make short summary sheets of set texts: characters, themes, key quotations and the Italian vocabulary you need to discuss them.
Review your summary sheets, verb tables and connectives rather than attempting new material. Practise writing one composition plan and one literature paragraph in Italian, checking agreement, subjunctive use and accents. Prepare your bag with ID, stationery, water and admission documents so nothing depends on the morning.
Do a light review only, then stop. Check transport, set two alarms and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Avoid last-minute cramming of new vocabulary, which tends to displace what you already know. Eat normally and avoid relying on caffeine to compensate for lost sleep.
Eat a proper breakfast, dress comfortably in layers, and leave earlier than you think necessary. Read your summary sheet for ten minutes maximum, then put it away. Switch off your phone before entering the building and store it as instructed by centre staff.
Report to the designated room, present your ID, and sit where directed. Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions about filling in your details, question paper format and any corrections announced. Read the front cover and check the number of pages and questions before the clock starts.
Read the whole paper or all the questions before writing, then confirm your minute budget per section. Start with the section you are most confident in only if the paper allows it; otherwise follow the natural order. Write your candidate details exactly as instructed before beginning answers.
Keep an eye on the clock at section boundaries, not every minute. Answer in Italian throughout unless a question explicitly asks otherwise, and write in full sentences where the mark scheme rewards developed answers. For comprehension, read the question before the passage section it refers to, and quote or paraphrase evidence from the text.
Check that every required question has been attempted and that no answer is left in rough work only. Scan for common Italian errors: verb endings, gender and number agreement, accents, and consistent tense in narratives. Make sure your candidate details and question numbers are correct.
Hand in all materials as instructed and do not discuss paper content with other candidates in the exam room or corridors. Note down anything you found difficult while it is fresh, to inform future practice, but avoid comparing answers, which only adds stress.
Rules to check
Bring original photo identification and present it on request. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what to do if your ID is lost or expired; do not assume a photocopy or digital copy will be accepted.
Follow all invigilator instructions about seating, materials on the desk, and starting or stopping writing. Writing after the instruction to stop, or before the instruction to start, can lead to a penalty; confirm with the provider how such breaches are handled.
Mobile phones, smartwatches and any connected devices must be switched off and stored outside the exam room as directed. Possession of an unauthorised device in the room is normally treated as malpractice regardless of whether it was used.
Do not bring unauthorised notes, annotated texts, or dictionaries unless the syllabus explicitly permits them for that component. Confirm with the provider whether any dictionary or reference material is allowed for your paper and level.
If you need to leave the room for a genuine reason, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator; you will normally be accompanied. Confirm with the provider the rules on toilet breaks and whether additional time is granted.
If you believe there is a printing error, a missing page, or unclear wording, tell an invigilator immediately rather than guessing silently. Confirm with the provider how such issues are recorded and whether any adjustment is made.
If illness or an emergency affects your performance, inform centre staff and follow the provider's special consideration or absence procedure. Confirm with the provider the deadlines and the evidence required, as these are strict.
Results and grading follow the official MATSEC marking scheme and grade boundaries, which are not published in advance in a form candidates can rely on. Confirm with the provider how marks are aggregated across components and how resits or appeals work.