MATSEC IM Music
MATSEC Intermediate Matriculation (IM) - Music
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
MATSEC Intermediate Matriculation (IM) Music is one of the subject syllabi published by the MATSEC Examinations Board at L-Università ta' Malta. MATSEC describes its syllabi as being offered at four levels - SEC (Secondary Education Certificate), SEAC (Secondary Education Applied Certificate), IM (Intermediate Matriculation) and AM (Advanced Matriculation) - so IM sits between the secondary certificate and the advanced matriculation level. The board publishes a separate syllabus for each subject and each year, from 2011 through 2029, and states that "A syllabus' year is the year in which the final assessment is scheduled." Candidates should therefore download the Music syllabus for their own assessment year and treat that document, not this page, as the authoritative statement of content, assessment structure and requirements. IM Music is typically taken by post-secondary students who want a recognised intermediate-level music qualification alongside their other studies, whether for personal progression, entry requirements or to build towards AM. Preparation should combine aural and theoretical work with practical musicianship: study the set works and prescribed repertoire named in your year's syllabus, practise harmony, analysis, listening and score-reading regularly, and work through past papers and marking schemes from the MATSEC site under exam conditions. For anything not covered in the published syllabus, contact the MATSEC Examinations Board directly.
What you'll study
About MATSEC IM Music preparation
What exactly is IM Music?
IM stands for Intermediate Matriculation, one of four MATSEC syllabus levels listed by the board alongside SEC, SEAC and AM. Music is one of the subjects offered at that level. The syllabus for your assessment year defines what is examinable, so always work from that document rather than from general descriptions.
Which syllabus version should I use?
The one for the year in which your final assessment is scheduled, because MATSEC states that "A syllabus' year is the year in which the final assessment is scheduled." Syllabi are published for each year from 2011 to 2029 on the MATSEC syllabi page, so check the year heading carefully before downloading.
How do I find the Music syllabus?
Go to the MATSEC syllabi page and select the year of your assessment, then locate Music in the IM list. If the subject list for that year is not yet published or you cannot find the entry, contact the board through the details on its site rather than relying on an older year's document.
Is IM Music hard?
Difficulty depends on your starting point. It sits below Advanced Matriculation but above SEC level, so it assumes reasonable fluency in notation, theory and aural skills. Candidates with grade-based instrumental training and solid theory usually find the workload manageable; those without formal theory background should start early.
How should I organise my study?
Begin with the syllabus: list every component it names and map each to a weekly task. Interleave listening, analysis, harmony and score-reading rather than blocking them, and practise writing under time pressure using past papers and marking schemes. Review marked work to identify recurring errors before moving on.
Where can I get past papers and marking schemes?
The MATSEC Examinations Board website has a Past Papers section and a Marking Schemes and Exemplars section. Use the papers for the years closest to your own assessment, and read the marking scheme to learn how marks are allocated rather than only checking your final answer.
What are common reasons candidates lose marks?
Typical problems include misreading the set works or prescribed repertoire for their year, weak harmonic vocabulary, inaccurate notation and rhythm under time pressure, and vague listening answers that describe mood instead of identifying specific musical features. Answering the question actually asked, with precise terminology, is usually worth several marks.
Can I retake the exam?
Retake arrangements, session dates and any restrictions are set by the MATSEC Examinations Board and are not stated on the pages summarised here. Check the regulations and current session information on the MATSEC website, or contact the board directly, before planning a resit.
How do I contact MATSEC with a question?
The board lists the email [email protected] and the phone number +356 2340 2814/5/6, with its address as MATSEC Examinations Board, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta. Use these for syllabus clarifications, access arrangements and any question the published documents do not answer.