MATSEC SEC History exam-day guide
MATSEC SEC History · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission statement or exam entry confirmation
MATSEC examinations are administered by the University of Malta's MATSEC Examinations Board through schools and registered centres. Confirm with your school or the MATSEC office which document you must present and where your seat is allocated; formats change between sessions, so treat any printed slip you receive as authoritative and confirm with the provider if you have not received one.
Valid photo identification
Bring the ID type your centre requires (usually a passport, ID card, or school-issued document). Confirm with the provider which forms are accepted and whether a signature is required on the answer script.
Black or blue ballpoint pens, plus spares
Write in dark ink so scripts scan and mark cleanly. Bring at least two working pens and check them the night before. Do not rely on pencil for essay answers.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for diagrams, timelines, or map work in history answers and for any multiple-choice or structured section. Keep them in a clear pouch if your centre requires transparent cases.
A small ruler
Handy for drawing and labelling timelines, tables, or source-analysis grids neatly. Accuracy of presentation can support clarity of argument, especially in structured questions.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Stay hydrated during a long paper. Many centres restrict bottle labelling; confirm with the provider what is allowed on your desk.
No notes, textbooks, or electronic devices at the desk
History papers are closed-book. Leave revision notes, phones, and smart watches outside the exam room or in the designated area. Confirm with the provider the exact rule on phones and bags.
A watch (non-smart)
Exam rooms may not have a visible clock. A plain analogue or digital watch helps you pace sections. Smart watches are almost always prohibited; confirm with the provider.
Know your paper structure and timing in advance
Check the MATSEC syllabus and past-paper format for your history option (for example Maltese, European, or Mediterranean history strands). Confirm with the provider which sections and question types appear in your session, since options and weightings can differ.
Plan your travel and arrival time
Aim to arrive well before the start time so you can find your seat and settle. Confirm with the provider the exact reporting time and late-entry policy for your centre.
Rest and a proper meal beforehand
A long essay-based paper rewards sustained concentration. Sleep, eat, and avoid last-minute cramming in the corridor that displaces what you already know.
Backup plan for illness or emergency
Know in advance who to contact at your school or the MATSEC office if you cannot sit the paper. Confirm with the provider the procedure for medical certificates and special arrangements.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating. Build a one-page summary per topic: key dates, causes, consequences, and 3-4 named examples or sources you can deploy. Rehearse essay skeletons (introduction with a clear line of argument, three or four developed paragraphs, judgement-based conclusion) rather than memorising full essays. Do at least one timed practice paper under exam conditions and mark it against the mark scheme, focusing on how far you explain rather than describe.
Practise source-based skills if your paper includes them: identifying provenance, purpose, bias, and usefulness; comparing two sources; and writing a short judgement on reliability. Prepare a mental bank of specific evidence (treaties, legislation, dates, individuals, statistics) for each likely question so your answers are precise rather than vague.
Do a light review only: skim your summaries, re-read your weakest topic, and check the format of the paper (number of questions, choice, marks per section). Pack your bag with pens, pencil, ruler, ID, admission document, water, and watch. Confirm your reporting time, room, and route. Set two alarms and go to bed at a reasonable hour; sleep is more valuable than one more hour of revision.
Eat a proper breakfast, dress comfortably and appropriately, and leave with time to spare. Avoid group panic sessions outside the hall. Once seated, read the front of the paper carefully: check the number of questions, the choice available, and the marks per section before writing anything.
Allocate time by marks, not by question order. Spend a few minutes choosing questions you can answer with specific evidence. Write a brief plan for each essay (three or four bullet points plus the argument you will defend) so your answer has direction from the first sentence.
Answer in clear paragraphs with a topic sentence, evidence, and explanation of significance. Use precise dates, names, and terms. For source questions, quote briefly and comment on provenance and purpose. Keep an eye on the clock and move on when a question's time allocation is up; a completed second answer scores more than a perfect first one.
Check you have answered the required number of questions from the correct sections and that all answers are clearly numbered. Finish any incomplete conclusion with a direct judgement. Cross out rough work clearly so it is not mistaken for an answer, and check your name and candidate details on the script.
Rules to check
Bring the identification and admission documents your centre requires and place them on the desk for inspection. Confirm with the provider exactly which documents are accepted in your session.
History papers are closed-book: no notes, textbooks, printed summaries, or unauthorised aids at the desk. Confirm with the provider whether any materials (for example a source booklet) will be supplied.
Switch off phones and smart devices and store them away from your desk. Using or even possessing an unauthorised device during the exam can lead to disqualification; confirm with the provider the exact sanctions.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on timing, toilet breaks, and leaving the room. Raise your hand and wait; breaks are usually escorted, and the time is not normally added back. Confirm with the provider the break policy for your centre.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the paper has been distributed, and do not remove question papers or answer materials from the room unless told you may. Confirm with the provider what may be taken away.
Write legibly in the required ink and number your answers to match the question paper. Answers that cannot be read or matched to a question may not be credited; confirm with the provider any specific presentation requirements.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or you feel unwell, tell an invigilator immediately rather than later. Confirm with the provider the procedure for reporting problems during the exam.
Results, grading, and any appeals are handled by the MATSEC Examinations Board. Confirm with the provider the published dates and the appeal procedure rather than relying on second-hand information.