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About this exam

MATSEC Advanced Level Spanish (AM Spanish) is an Advanced Matriculation subject examined by the MATSEC Examinations Board, which is part of L-Università ta' Malta and is listed on the University's site alongside its regulations, syllabi, current session information, past papers and marking schemes. Advanced level study is typically taken by post-secondary students preparing for university entry, and the qualification is widely used in Maltese academic progression. The published examination is organised around four skill domains - Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing - so preparation has to be balanced rather than focused on grammar alone. A sensible study plan starts with the official syllabus for the current session, which sets out the prescribed themes, text types and assessment structure; candidates should then work through past papers and marking schemes and exemplars, which MATSEC publishes, to understand how responses are judged. Building vocabulary and idiom across the prescribed topic areas, practising timed comprehension and composition tasks, and rehearsing spoken interaction regularly are the core activities. Confirm all administrative details - session dates, entry deadlines, fees, and any oral examination arrangements - directly with the MATSEC Examinations Board, because these change between sessions and are not reproduced here. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced by the University of Malta or the MATSEC Examinations Board.

What you'll study

Common questions

About MATSEC AM Spanish preparation

Who sets and administers the AM Spanish examination?

It is administered by the MATSEC Examinations Board, which sits within L-Università ta' Malta and publishes its regulations, guidelines and policies, syllabi, current session information, past papers, and marking schemes and exemplars. Always treat the Board's own syllabus and notices for your session as the authoritative statement of what is examinable and how to enter.

What does the exam cover?

The qualification is structured around four skill domains: Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. That means you are assessed on understanding spoken and written Spanish and on producing it, including spoken interaction. The specific task types, themes and text types are defined in the syllabus for your session, so read that document before planning revision.

Where can I find past papers and marking schemes?

The MATSEC section of the University of Malta website lists Past Papers and a separate Marking Schemes and Exemplars section, alongside Syllabi and Current Session Information. Working through these is the most reliable way to see the standard expected. Marking schemes are especially useful for understanding how credit is awarded in written and spoken tasks.

How hard is Advanced Level Spanish?

It is an Advanced Matriculation level qualification, so expect a standard well beyond basic communicative Spanish: extended reading and listening texts, structured writing, and confident spoken interaction. Difficulty is best judged by attempting a past paper under timed conditions and comparing your answers with the published marking scheme rather than by reputation.

Can I retake the examination?

Retake arrangements are governed by the Board's regulations rather than by this page. Check the regulations, guidelines and policies section and the current session information on the MATSEC website, or contact the Board directly at [email protected] or on +356 2340 2814/5/6, to confirm whether and when a resit is possible and what entry steps apply.

How long is the exam and how is it marked?

The duration, paper structure, weighting of components and grading arrangements are set out in the syllabus and current session information published by MATSEC. They are not reproduced here because they can be revised between sessions. Read the syllabus for your session first, then plan timed practice around the actual component structure it describes.

What is the best order to study in?

Start with the syllabus to map prescribed themes and task types, then diagnose your level with one untimed past paper. Build vocabulary and idiom across the themes, practise each skill separately, and finish with full timed papers plus marking-scheme review. Keep spoken practice running throughout rather than leaving it to the final weeks.

What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?

Typical problems include answering in the wrong register or text type, ignoring word limits, misreading questions in the target language, and running out of time on longer writing tasks. In speaking, rehearsed but unrelated answers and hesitation under pressure cost marks. Reviewing marking schemes shows exactly where credit is given and lost.

How do I enter, and what does it cost?

Entry routes, deadlines and fees are handled by MATSEC and can change each session, so they are not stated here. Consult the Current Session Information and Applications pages on the MATSEC website, or contact the Board at [email protected], +356 2340 2814/5/6, or MATSEC Examinations Board, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta.

Is this page official?

No. This is an independent study resource written for candidates searching for information about the exam. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced by the University of Malta or the MATSEC Examinations Board. For anything binding - syllabus content, dates, fees, entry rules or results - rely only on the Board's published documents and direct correspondence.