MATSEC SEC Dance exam-day guide
MATSEC SEC Dance · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed exam timetable and statement of entry
Bring the timetable and your entry statement showing the paper, date, time and venue. Check the venue and arrival time the day before; if anything on the statement looks wrong, contact your school's examinations officer immediately rather than on the day.
Valid photo ID
Bring the ID document your school or the MATSEC Examinations Board requires for verification. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a school-issued card is sufficient, as rules can differ between centres.
Dancewear and footwear for each style
Pack the shoes and clothing you have rehearsed in for every style on your programme (for example ballet soft shoes or pointe shoes, jazz shoes, character shoes, bare feet or socks for contemporary). Bring shoes already broken in; do not debut new pointe shoes or new tap shoes on exam day.
Costume and accessories for set/performance pieces
Lay out costumes, hair accessories, tights, and any props the piece requires, labelled with your name. Check with the provider whether costume changes are expected and how much changing time is available between sections.
Music and backing tracks, with a backup
If you supply your own music, bring it in the format the centre specifies plus a second copy on a different device or medium. Confirm with the provider the accepted formats and whether a pianist or accompanist is provided or must be arranged by you.
Water bottle and light snack
Bring water and a snack you have eaten before in rehearsal. Avoid trying unfamiliar food or energy drinks on exam day. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the waiting area and studio.
Warm-up layers and a towel
Bring warm layers to keep muscles warm while waiting and a towel for between pieces. Arrive early enough to complete your own warm-up; the examiner's session may not include a led warm-up.
Hair kit and basic first aid
Pack hair pins, ties, nets, and any grip or tape you normally use, plus plasters for blisters. Secure hair according to the requirements of each style before you enter the studio.
Written notes on your programme and choreography
A one-page reminder of the order of your pieces, starting positions, counts, and any choreographic notes. Confirm with the provider whether written notes may be brought into the studio or must stay in the changing area.
Check the centre's access and changing arrangements
Confirm with the provider the arrival point, changing facilities, where to leave bags, and whether spectators or teachers may accompany you to the studio door. These arrangements are set by the centre and vary.
Confirm the timing and order of sections
Ask your teacher or the provider how the practical is structured (for example warm-up, set exercises, prepared solo, group or duet work) and roughly how long each part lasts, so you can pace your energy. Mark as needs_review: the exact structure and weighting are set by the current syllabus.
Medical or access requirements already notified
If you have an injury, condition, or access requirement, confirm well in advance that the centre has been informed and what adjustments apply. Do not assume adjustments can be arranged on the day.
Plan the day
Run your programme in full at least twice under exam-like conditions: full costume and shoes, music from the start, no stopping to correct. Note only the two or three biggest fixes and work on those; resist rebuilding choreography now. Check every costume and shoe for damage, sew or repair anything loose, and break in new footwear gradually if you must use it. Confirm travel plans, venue, and arrival time, and read the current syllabus and any centre instructions again for the practical's format and marking criteria.
Do a light technical session, not a full run-through: mark through pieces at low intensity, check starting positions and transitions, and finish with stretching. Prepare and pack your bag from the checklist, label everything, and test your music on the device you will bring plus the backup. Eat familiar meals, hydrate, and prioritise sleep. Avoid new physical challenges such as a first attempt at a difficult lift or a long unfamiliar class.
Eat a normal breakfast you know suits you, allowing enough time to digest before dancing. Arrive at the centre with spare time to register, change, and settle. Begin your warm-up early and progress from mobilising joints through to rises, tendus, and small jumps, then style-specific preparation. Keep warm in layers while waiting, and re-warm briefly if there is a long gap before your section.
Enter the studio as instructed, acknowledge the examiner politely, and state your candidate number and the title of your piece if asked. Breathe, hold your starting position until you are ready, and perform with focus on performance quality and musicality rather than on small errors. If you make a mistake, recover and continue; do not restart unless the examiner tells you to. Listen carefully to instructions for set exercises and demonstration, and ask for clarification only if genuinely unclear. At the end, thank the examiner and leave the studio as directed.
Rules to check
Bring the ID and entry documents the centre requires and be ready to show them at registration. Confirm with the provider exactly which documents are mandatory, as requirements differ between centres.
Arrive at the time stated on your timetable. If you are delayed, contact the centre immediately; confirm with the provider how lateness is handled and whether you will still be examined.
Follow the examiner's instructions on where to stand, when to begin, and when to leave. Do not restart a piece or add material that is not part of your submitted programme unless instructed.
Keep all communication with the examiner formal and limited to what the assessment requires. Do not ask for feedback, marks, or opinions during the session; results are released through official channels.
Only bring into the studio the music, props, and notes the centre permits. Confirm with the provider whether notes or phones are allowed in the studio, and leave valuables in the designated area at your own risk.
Breaks, changing time, and access to water are managed by the centre. Confirm with the provider in advance if you need additional rest, and raise any injury or illness before the session starts rather than after.
Scoring is carried out by the examiner against the assessment criteria in the current syllabus. Confirm with the provider the weighting of technique, performance, choreography, and any written component, and do not rely on unofficial mark schemes.
If you believe something went wrong with the conduct of the exam, tell your school's examinations officer promptly. Confirm with the provider the deadline and procedure for any special consideration or appeal.