MATSEC IM Italian exam-day guide
MATSEC IM Italian · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the original identity document your school or the examination centre has registered for you. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a copy is permitted; do not assume a school ID card is enough.
Statement of entry / candidate number
Bring the slip or letter showing your candidate number, seat details and the papers you are sitting. If you have not received one, contact your school's examinations officer well before the exam day.
Black or blue pens (at least two)
Write in dark ink so scripts scan and mark cleanly. Check with the provider whether correction fluid or erasable pens are allowed; many boards discourage or ban them, so confirm rather than assume.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any multiple-choice answer sheet. Keep rough work clearly labelled and inside the script booklet unless invigilators say otherwise.
Clear pencil case or transparent pouch
Many centres require stationery to be visible. Confirm with the provider whether a pencil case is allowed at all or whether items must be loose on the desk.
Wristwatch (non-smart, no alarms)
A simple analogue watch helps you pace the reading and writing sections. Smart watches and phones are normally prohibited at the desk; confirm the centre's rule on watches.
Water in a clear bottle, label removed
Stay hydrated for a long language paper. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are permitted in the exam room and any labelling requirements.
Transport plan and arrival time
Arrive before the reporting time printed on your statement of entry. Plan a backup route; lateness rules and whether extra time is granted are set by the provider, so confirm them in advance.
Know your tier and paper structure
Check whether you are entered for the Core or Extended tier (or the equivalent) and which sections carry optional questions. Confirm the exact structure and timing with your teacher, as these details vary by session.
Italian vocabulary and phrase revision notes
Bring a short, handwritten summary of useful connectives, opinion phrases and tense endings to review before you enter the room. Leave revision notes outside the exam hall.
Leave phone and smart devices at home or handed in
Possession of a phone in the exam room is commonly treated as malpractice. Confirm the centre's collection procedure and follow it exactly.
Plan the day
Read the syllabus or teacher guidance for the exact paper format: number of sections, marks per section, and whether there is a choice of questions. Do one full timed past-style paper under exam conditions, then mark it honestly and list your three weakest areas (for example verb tenses, pronoun use, or formal letter conventions).
Target the weak areas with focused practice: write short answers using the structures you got wrong, and check them against a grammar reference. Build a one-page sheet of Italian connectives (però, quindi, inoltre, d'altra parte), opinion openers (secondo me, a mio parere) and useful subjunctive or conditional forms you can deploy in writing tasks.
Do light revision only: reread your one-page sheet, practise reading a short Italian article aloud for comprehension, and rehearse the instructions you will follow in the exam (word limits, which question to answer, how many points to make). Pack your bag with ID, statement of entry, pens, pencil and water. Check your journey and set two alarms. Sleep properly rather than cramming.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive at the centre ahead of the reporting time, and avoid last-minute group discussion that can raise anxiety. Hand in your phone if required. Once seated, read the front of the paper carefully, fill in your candidate details exactly, and check the instructions for each section before writing.
Read the whole paper or the instructions page, note the marks available and allocate time proportionally: roughly one minute per mark is a common guide, but confirm the timing breakdown for your paper. Decide which optional question or task you will attempt before you start writing.
For reading and listening, skim questions first, then locate the relevant line and answer in the language and length required. For writing, spend a few minutes planning paragraphs and checking register (formal vs informal), verb agreement and accents. Leave the final minutes to proofread: check endings, agreements, spelling of accents, and that you have answered every required part and respected word limits.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID registered for you and place it on the desk if asked. If you have lost it, contact the provider immediately; do not assume another document will be accepted.
Follow all invigilator instructions, including silence from the moment you enter the room, raising your hand to speak, and not starting until told. Talking or looking at another candidate's work can be treated as malpractice.
Keep phones, smart watches and any other electronic devices switched off and outside the exam room, or hand them in as directed. Confirm the provider's device policy in advance.
Do not bring unauthorised materials such as notes, dictionaries or translation devices unless the provider explicitly permits them for this paper; confirm whether a dictionary is allowed before the exam.
Write only in the permitted ink and within the designated answer spaces. Cross out errors neatly rather than using correction fluid unless the provider confirms it is allowed.
If you need to leave the room for a genuine reason, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator; you will normally be accompanied and cannot make up lost time. Confirm the centre's supervised break arrangements.
Scoring and grade boundaries are set by the awarding body after each session; do not rely on rumoured thresholds. Check the official mark scheme and grade information published for your session.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper or your circumstances, tell the invigilator at the time and ask your school to follow the official special consideration procedure; confirm the deadlines with the provider.