MATSEC IM Music exam-day guide
MATSEC IM Music · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring the instrument and any accessories you will perform with
Pack the exact instrument, mouthpiece/reed, sticks, bow, cables, or other accessories you have practised with, plus a small spares kit (reeds, strings, drum key, batteries, jack lead). Do not rely on the venue supplying an instrument unless you have confirmed that in writing.
Carry valid photo identification
Bring the ID document the awarding body or school requires for candidate verification. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a signature is needed.
Bring your printed programme and set list
Have a clean copy of your programme showing pieces, composers/performers, and timings. Bring an extra copy for the examiner panel if the provider requests it.
Bring your own scores and page turns sorted
If you perform from notation, bring legible copies and arrange page turns or a page-turner in advance. Confirm with the provider whether photocopies are allowed or whether original copies are required.
Bring backing tracks or accompanist materials in the required format
If your programme includes backing tracks or an accompanist, confirm with the provider the accepted file format, playback device, and whether an accompanist is provided or must be arranged by you. Label all files and bring a backup copy.
Check the warm-up and tuning arrangements
Ask the provider in advance whether a warm-up room, tuning note, or acoustic rehearsal is available and how long you get. Plan a short warm-up routine you can do quietly if space is limited.
Confirm the exact venue, room, and arrival time
Note the building, room, and reporting time, and plan to arrive with margin for instrument assembly, security checks, and finding the room. Confirm with the provider whether early arrival is permitted.
Dress appropriately for performance
Wear neat, comfortable clothing that allows full movement and does not interfere with the instrument or posture. Confirm with the provider if there is a dress code.
Prepare for the spoken or viva component if your syllabus includes one
If there is a discussion, programme notes, or aural component, revise your own repertoire facts and be ready to talk about your choices. Confirm with the provider the format and weighting of any spoken element.
Bring water and a snack
Stay hydrated and keep energy levels steady, especially if your slot is late in the day. Keep drinks away from instruments and scores.
Leave valuables and unnecessary items at home
Bring only what you need. Confirm with the provider whether supervised storage is available for cases and bags during the performance.
Know the emergency contact and provider procedure
Save the provider's contact number and know what to do if you are delayed or unwell. Confirm with the provider the procedure for illness or late arrival.
Plan the day
Run full mock performances of your complete programme in the order you will play them, timing each item and the transitions between pieces. Record yourself once and listen back for balance, intonation, and tempo stability. Fix only small, high-value issues now; do not rebuild technique or change repertoire at this stage.
Confirm logistics: exact venue and room, reporting time, instrument and accompanist arrangements, backing-track format, and whether a warm-up space exists. Re-read the syllabus requirements for your programme so nothing required is missing.
Prepare and proofread your programme and scores, sort page turns, label backing-track files, and pack a spares kit. Sleep on a normal schedule and avoid long, fatiguing practice sessions.
Do a light, focused session only: slow warm-up, tricky passages at reduced tempo, and a run-through of openings and endings. Stop while you still feel fresh. Check the instrument for faults and replace worn reeds or strings now, not on the day.
Lay out everything you will take: instrument, accessories, spares, ID, programme, scores, water, and clothing. Set two alarms and plan your route and travel time, including a buffer for delays.
Eat a normal meal, do a short physical and instrumental warm-up, and avoid learning anything new. Arrive at the venue with time to assemble and tune, then use any warm-up space for gentle scales and a few phrases rather than a full run-through.
Enter calmly, set up your instrument and posture, and take a moment before starting. Announce or present your programme clearly if required. If you make a mistake, keep going; examiners assess the whole performance, not a single slip. Stay with your prepared tempi and communicate with your accompanist if you have one.
If there is a spoken or aural section, listen carefully to each question and answer concisely. If you do not understand, ask for clarification politely. At the end, thank the panel, pack your instrument carefully, and leave promptly.
Rules to check
Follow the provider's instructions on identification and registration. Bring the ID specified and present it when asked; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what happens if you cannot produce them.
Perform only the programme you have submitted or agreed with the provider. Substituting pieces, changing accompanists, or altering backing tracks without approval may affect your result; confirm with the provider how changes must be requested.
Keep to the time limits for your programme and any spoken component. Practise with a timer so you know how your programme fits; confirm with the provider how overrunning is handled.
Do not use unauthorised aids during the assessment. Confirm with the provider what counts as permitted material, such as scores, notation, or a page-turner, and what is prohibited.
Follow the provider's rules on breaks, warm-up, and movement in and out of the assessment room. Ask before leaving the room or adjusting equipment mid-performance.
Treat examiners, accompanists, and other candidates courteously and keep quiet in waiting areas. Recordings or phones may be restricted; confirm with the provider the policy on devices and recording.
Understand how your performance is marked before the day, including the balance between performance, programme content, and any spoken or written element. Ask the provider for the assessment criteria if they are not published.
If you are ill or unable to attend, contact the provider as soon as possible to ask about their procedure. Do not assume a re-schedule or special consideration will be granted; confirm the policy with the provider.