MATSEC SEC Theatre exam-day guide
MATSEC SEC Theatre · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed exam entry/registration confirmation
Bring the confirmation slip or letter your school or the MATSEC Examinations Board issued for your practical session. Confirm with the provider (your school examinations officer or MATSEC) exactly which document they require, since entry procedures can change year to year.
Valid photo identification
Carry the ID type specified in your entry instructions (often an ID card or passport). Do not assume; confirm the accepted forms and whether a school-issued card is acceptable with the provider before the day.
Performance material and script extract
Bring the monologue/duologue or scene text you have prepared, plus any required written support such as a portfolio, reflection, or annotated script. Check the prescribed text list and the exact extract you registered, and confirm with your teacher whether the examiner keeps or returns written material.
Costume and props list, with items labelled
Pack only what your piece needs, label everything with your name and candidate number, and keep props safe and quick to set. Confirm with the provider whether set-up time is included in your allotted slot or counted separately.
Appropriate clothing and footwear
Wear something you can move in and that suits your character without needing a full dressing-room change. Avoid clothing that restricts breath, movement, or floor work, and check whether changing facilities are available at the venue.
Water bottle and a light snack
Practical sessions can involve long waiting periods. Bring water and something quiet to eat, and confirm the venue's rules on food and drink in the waiting area.
Warm-up plan written down
Have a short physical and vocal warm-up you can do quietly in a corridor or waiting room: breathing, articulation, stretching, and a run-through of your cue lines. Write it out so you do not rely on memory under pressure.
Timing device or memorised running time
Know the exact length of your piece and how you will sense time without a visible clock. If you plan to use a phone as a timer, confirm with the provider whether phones are permitted in the preparation or performance space.
Arrival plan and travel backup
Check the venue address, transport times, and a backup route. Aim to arrive well before your scheduled slot so you can register, change, and warm up without rushing. The exact arrival buffer should be confirmed with the provider.
Knowledge of the assessment criteria
Re-read the marking criteria for your practical component so you know whether voice, movement, characterisation, interpretation, and ensemble work are weighted. Ask your teacher to clarify anything ambiguous rather than guessing.
Emergency contact and medication
Carry any prescribed medication (for example an inhaler) and tell your teacher or the invigilator about any access or medical needs in advance. Confirm the venue's procedure for medical needs with the provider.
A calm post-performance plan
Arrange how you will leave, who is collecting you, and what you will do afterwards. Having a clear end to the day reduces anxiety and helps you focus on the performance itself.
Plan the day
Move from learning to polishing. Run your piece in full at least twice a day, once without stopping whatever happens, so you build recovery skills. Record one run and watch or listen back for clarity of diction, pace, and physical habits. Finalise props and costume, label everything, and pack your bag early. Re-read the assessment criteria and your script annotations. Sleep properly each night rather than trading sleep for extra rehearsal.
Do a technical run: enter, set props, perform, strike, and leave, exactly as you will on the day. Check travel arrangements and the venue location, charge any devices, and prepare your ID and confirmation documents in one place. Rehearse your cue lines and the first ten seconds of the piece, since openings are where nerves show most. Avoid learning new blocking or rewriting text at this stage; consolidation beats change. Set an alarm and go to bed at a sensible hour.
Eat a proper meal and hydrate, but avoid heavy food close to your slot. Do a gentle physical and vocal warm-up, then stop active rehearsal early enough to let your voice rest. Arrive at the venue with time to register, change, and settle. Keep your preparation quiet and focused; avoid comparing notes with other candidates, which tends to raise anxiety. Check your props are complete before you are called.
Enter confidently, set your props calmly, and take a moment before you begin. Play to your audience and the space rather than to the floor. If you make a mistake, keep going: recovery and focus are part of the performance. Project your voice to the back of the room and keep your physical choices clear and motivated. When you finish, hold your final moment briefly, then strike your props and leave without rushing. If the examiner asks a question or gives a direction, respond clearly and professionally.
Rules to check
Bring the identification and entry documents specified in your instructions. If you are unsure what is accepted, confirm with the provider before the exam day rather than on arrival.
Arrive by the time stated in your instructions. Late arrival may affect your opportunity to perform, but the exact procedure is set by the provider, so confirm it in advance.
Perform only the material you registered or prepared within the syllabus requirements. Substituting unapproved text or exceeding the permitted time can affect your mark; check the time limit and any penalty policy with your teacher or the provider.
Keep phones and smart devices switched off and stored unless the provider explicitly permits them for timing or accompaniment. Confirm the venue's device policy beforehand.
Follow the examiner's and invigilator's instructions at all times, including where to wait, how to enter and leave, and how to set and strike props.
Treat other candidates with respect. Do not watch, distract, or discuss performances in the waiting area unless the session is explicitly open to an audience.
Declare any access requirements, injuries, or medical needs in advance so reasonable adjustments can be arranged. The provider, not the candidate, decides what adjustments are available.
Breaks and rest periods between preparation and performance are set by the venue. Ask the invigilator if you need water, a toilet break, or a quiet space, and confirm the procedure rather than leaving unannounced.