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About this exam

The Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) is a qualification awarded by the MATSEC Examinations Board, which is part of L-Università ta' Malta and is based at the University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta. SEC Dance is one of the subjects offered within the SEC framework, aimed at secondary-school candidates in Malta who wish to have their achievement in dance formally certified at school-leaving level. It is typically taken by students who study dance within their school curriculum or through private dance training and who want a recognised record of their practical and theoretical work in the subject. Because the MATSEC Board publishes its own syllabus for each subject, the content, assessment components and marking criteria for SEC Dance are defined by that syllabus rather than by any third-party guide. Candidates should therefore treat the current MATSEC syllabus, together with the Board's regulations, guidelines and policies and any past papers or marking schemes and exemplars it publishes, as the authoritative description of what is examined. Preparation normally combines sustained studio practice in the candidate's dance style with written work on technique, choreography and appreciation, and familiarity with the assessment structure set out in the syllabus. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by MATSEC or the University of Malta; always confirm details directly with the Board before relying on them.

What you'll study

Common questions

About MATSEC SEC Dance preparation

Who sets and awards the SEC Dance qualification?

It is administered by the MATSEC Examinations Board, which sits within L-Università ta' Malta. The Board publishes the syllabus, regulations, guidelines and policies, current session information, applications, past papers and marking schemes and exemplars. Use those Board publications, not third-party summaries, as the authoritative source for content and assessment.

What does the SEC Dance exam actually cover?

The syllabus document published by MATSEC defines the content and the assessment components. Because the Board revises syllabi periodically, read the version currently listed under Syllabi on the MATSEC pages rather than relying on older copies or on what previous candidates describe. The syllabus is the only reliable statement of what is examined.

How long is the exam and how many marks are there?

This page does not state a duration, paper structure or mark allocation, because those details are set out in the current MATSEC syllabus and current session information rather than in the general Board pages. Check the syllabus document and the current session information on the MATSEC website for the definitive figures before you plan your revision timetable.

Is SEC Dance hard to pass?

Difficulty depends on your prior training and on how closely your preparation matches the syllabus requirements. Candidates with regular, sustained studio practice and a teacher familiar with the syllabus are generally better placed. The most reliable indicator is the marking scheme and exemplars published by the Board, which show how marks are actually awarded.

Can I resit if I do not get the grade I want?

The MATSEC pages list Applications and Current Session Information sections, and resit arrangements are governed by the Board's regulations and guidelines and policies. This page cannot state a resit rule, fee or deadline. Consult the regulations and the applications information on the MATSEC website, or contact the Board directly, before assuming a resit is available.

How do I contact MATSEC with a question about my entry?

The Board lists its phone as +356 2340 2814/5/6 and its email as [email protected], with the postal address MATSEC Examinations Board, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta. For general University enquiries the main number is +356 2340 2340 and the email is [email protected].

In what order should I prepare?

Start with the current syllabus to map every assessment component, then work through the Board's past papers and marking schemes and exemplars to see how each component is marked. Build studio practice around the technique and performance requirements, and leave time for written work on choreography and appreciation so neither side is neglected.

What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?

Typically by preparing from outdated syllabus versions, by neglecting one assessment component in favour of the practical work, and by ignoring the published marking criteria. Read the marking scheme and exemplars carefully, check the current session information for deadlines and entry requirements, and confirm anything unclear with the Board rather than guessing.

Does this page have any official status?

No. This is an independent study page written to help candidates find their way around the subject. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or operated by MATSEC or the University of Malta. All official information, including regulations, syllabi, applications and results, comes from the MATSEC Examinations Board at the University of Malta.