MATSEC IM Information Technology exam-day guide
MATSEC IM Information Technology · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification (ID card or passport)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether the name must match your entry exactly; if you are unsure your document qualifies, ask the examination centre before the day.
Statement of entry or exam timetable confirmation
Keep a printed or downloaded copy showing the subject, level, date, time and venue. It helps staff direct you to the right room and resolves any scheduling confusion quickly. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two) plus a spare
Written papers and any written sections of the practical paper are normally completed in ink. Test both pens beforehand; a leaking or fading pen wastes time you cannot recover.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for planning, sketching a database or spreadsheet layout, or rough working. Keep rough work clearly separated from answers unless the paper instructs otherwise.
A simple calculator if permitted
Check the current regulations on calculator type and whether programmable or graphical models are banned. If in doubt, bring a basic non-programmable model and confirm with the provider.
Clear pencil case or transparent pouch
Many centres require stationery to be visible. A clear pouch speeds up desk checks and avoids having items removed at the start.
Water in a clear, label-free bottle
Stay hydrated without drawing attention. Remove or cover labels; some centres restrict bottles with printing on them. Confirm with the provider if you have a medical need for other drinks or snacks.
Know your arrival time and venue route
Plan to arrive well before the start, allowing for traffic and finding the room. Confirm with the provider the exact reporting time and whether late arrivals are admitted.
Review the practical skills list, not just theory
Be ready to demonstrate or describe tasks such as creating and querying a database, building a spreadsheet with formulas, formatting a document, or explaining output. Practise each skill once end to end rather than rereading notes.
Check permitted software and file-handling expectations
If the practical involves saving files, know how to name and save them as instructed. Confirm with the provider which applications and file formats are available and whether work is saved on a network drive or submitted on paper.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or switched off and stored
Most centres prohibit phones, smart watches and any device with communication or storage capability in the exam room. Confirm with the provider the storage arrangements and the consequences of a device being found.
Read the current notice to candidates from the awarding body
Regulations on conduct, forbidden items and malpractice change from year to year. Download the latest version and read it before the exam; do not rely on what an older sibling or friend told you.
Plan the day
Switch from passive revision to active practice. Work through one full past-style practical task under timed conditions: set up the file, complete the required operations, save and check the output. Then mark it against the skills list and list the three operations that cost you the most time. Spend the remaining days drilling only those. Confirm your venue, reporting time and ID requirements with the provider now, so any problem can still be fixed.
Do a second timed practice, but this time rehearse the mechanics of the exam room: reading instructions carefully, checking file names, saving at intervals, and re-reading answers before finishing. Prepare your stationery and ID and place them in one bag. Check transport times for the morning and identify a backup route. Avoid starting any new topic; consolidate what you already know.
Do a light review only: key terms, common commands in spreadsheet and database software, and the format of the paper. Pack your bag with ID, statement of entry, pens, pencil, eraser, calculator if permitted, clear pouch and water. Charge nothing you cannot bring in, and remove any notes from phone cases or pencil cases. Set two alarms, eat a normal meal, and go to bed at a sensible hour. Do not attempt a full mock the night before.
Eat breakfast and arrive at the venue with time to spare. Leave your phone switched off and stored as instructed before entering the room. Go to the toilet beforehand. Once seated, check that your desk has the stationery and any materials you are allowed, and listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions. If something is missing or unclear, raise your hand before the start rather than after.
Read the whole paper or task list before starting. Note the marks per section and the time you can afford per task. Identify the instructions about file names, saving and submission, and follow them exactly; a correct answer saved in the wrong place may not be marked. Write your name and candidate details as instructed.
Work in the order that protects your marks: do the tasks you can complete confidently first, then return to harder ones. Save your work at regular intervals, and keep a note of what remains. If a command or function is not behaving, move on and come back rather than losing minutes. For written explanations, answer in complete sentences and use the technical vocabulary accurately. Watch the clock and reserve the final minutes to check file names, saved work and any written answers.
Stop adding new content and verify: has every task been attempted, is every file saved with the required name, and have you followed the submission instructions? Check that your name is on everything required. Do not leave the room until the invigilator confirms you may, and do not discuss the paper with other candidates afterwards.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID accepted by the centre and place it on your desk if asked. If your ID is expired, damaged, or in a different name from your entry, contact the provider before the exam rather than on the day.
Follow the awarding body's notice to candidates and the invigilator's instructions at all times. Mobile phones, smart watches and any other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as directed; carrying one into the exam room can lead to malpractice proceedings even if you did not use it.
Do not communicate with other candidates once in the exam room, and do not share or request information about the paper afterwards. Any attempt to gain or give unfair advantage is malpractice and can lead to disqualification.
If you need to leave the room, for example for the toilet, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator. You may be accompanied or supervised. Confirm with the provider whether supervised rest breaks are available and what arrangements apply to candidates with access arrangements.
If you have approved access arrangements such as extra time, a reader, or use of a computer, confirm them with the provider well before the exam and remind the centre on arrival. Do not assume arrangements carry over automatically from a previous session.
Scoring follows the published mark scheme: marks are awarded for correct operations, accurate output and clear explanations, so read each task's requirements and answer every part. Where a task asks you to save work, the saved file is what is assessed, so follow naming and location instructions exactly.
If you feel unwell or something goes wrong during the exam, tell the invigilator immediately. Do not wait until the end. The centre can record the circumstances, and the awarding body decides whether special consideration applies; confirm the procedure with the provider.