MATSEC SEC Maltese
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Cheat sheet
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ExploreAbout this exam
The MATSEC Examinations Board is the examinations body of L-Università ta' Malta, based at the University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, and reachable on +356 2340 2814/5/6 or [email protected]. Its Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) Maltese examination is the school-leaving qualification in Maltese taken by secondary students in Malta; it matters to anyone who needs a recognised SEC pass in Maltese for further study or employment. The MATSEC website publishes the material a candidate actually needs: Regulations, Guidelines and policies, Syllabi, Current Session Information, Applications, Past Papers, and Marking Schemes and Exemplars. Preparation should therefore be syllabus-led. Download the current SEC Maltese syllabus first and read the prescribed components and texts, because the syllabus is the definitive statement of what is examinable. Work through past papers under timed conditions, then compare your answers against the marking schemes and exemplars so you understand how marks are awarded rather than only what the right answer looks like. Build Maltese reading and writing stamina with regular extended composition, and keep vocabulary and grammar notes from your own errors. Use Current Session Information for the timetable and Applications for entry deadlines, since these change each session. This page is independent study support and is not affiliated with or endorsed by MATSEC or the University of Malta; always confirm details on the official MATSEC pages.
What you'll study
About MATSEC SEC Maltese preparation
Who runs the SEC Maltese examination?
It is administered by the MATSEC Examinations Board at L-Università ta' Malta. The board's pages carry the Regulations, Guidelines and policies, Syllabi, Current Session Information, Applications, Past Papers, and Marking Schemes and Exemplars. Contact the board on +356 2340 2814/5/6 or [email protected], or write to MATSEC Examinations Board, University of Malta, Msida MSD 2080, Malta.
Where do I find the official syllabus and what is examinable?
Use the Syllabi section of the MATSEC website. The syllabus is the authoritative statement of the components, prescribed texts and assessment arrangements for SEC Maltese, so read it before buying any resource. Anything not listed there should not drive your study plan. Check that you are reading the syllabus for the session in which you will sit the exam.
How do I apply and when are the deadlines?
Entry is handled through the Applications section of the MATSEC site, and dates are published under Current Session Information. Deadlines differ by session and are not fixed permanently, so confirm them on the official pages rather than relying on what an older candidate told you. Schools normally coordinate entries for their own candidates, so ask your teacher first.
What past papers and marking information are available?
MATSEC publishes Past Papers together with Marking Schemes and Exemplars. Use them in pairs: sit a paper under timed conditions, then mark it against the scheme to see how credit is allocated. Exemplars show the standard of response that earns high marks, which is often more instructive than the paper alone. Work backwards through several sessions to spot recurring task types.
How should I organise my revision?
Start from the syllabus, then split your time between the language and literature components it lists. Alternate between reading Maltese prose and non-fiction, writing timed compositions, and revising grammar and vocabulary drawn from your own marked errors. Keep a running error log. In the final weeks, switch to full timed papers and review the marking schemes rather than learning new material.
What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?
Typical losses come from misreading the task, writing far more or less than the required length, ignoring register and audience, and weak control of grammar and spelling under time pressure. In literature answers, retelling the plot instead of answering the question is a frequent problem. Marking schemes and exemplars show exactly where these losses occur, so study them closely.
How can I improve my Maltese writing under exam conditions?
Write regularly to a time limit, then revise your own work for agreement, spelling and sentence structure before comparing it with exemplar answers. Build a personal list of recurring errors and check for them deliberately in the final minutes of each practice piece. Reading Maltese journalism and prose widens vocabulary and gives you models of register and structure to imitate.
Can I retake the examination, and how is it graded?
Retake and grading arrangements are set out in the MATSEC Regulations and Guidelines and policies, not on this page. Check those documents and the Current Session Information for the rules that apply to your session. If anything is unclear, contact the board directly on +356 2340 2814/5/6 or at [email protected] for a definitive answer.
Is this page official MATSEC material?
No. This is independent study guidance and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the MATSEC Examinations Board or the University of Malta. Every administrative detail, including applications, fees, timetables and regulations, should be verified on the official MATSEC website or by contacting the board directly before you act on it.