VWO Italiaans exam-day guide
VWO Italiaans · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring valid photo ID
Bring the identity document your school or the examination provider requires for the Italian VWO (e.g., a passport or ID card). The exact ID requirement and whether a school-issued pass is accepted should be confirmed with the provider or your school's exam coordinator.
Bring your exam admission letter or candidate number
Have your candidate number and any admission document (oproep/examenbrief) ready. The exact format and whether a printed copy is mandatory should be confirmed with the provider.
Bring pens and spare pens
Bring at least two black or blue ballpoint pens that write cleanly. For open questions you write by hand, so test your pens beforehand and avoid ink that smears or bleeds through thin paper.
Bring a highlighter and pencil
A highlighter helps you mark key phrases in reading passages; a pencil and eraser help with any planning or multiple-choice answer sheet. Check whether your school supplies these or expects you to bring them.
Know the dictionary policy and bring an approved dictionary if allowed
For Italian, a dictionary may or may not be permitted and may be subject to specific rules (e.g., type, annotations). Confirm with the provider exactly what is allowed and whether it must be inspected before the exam.
Leave your phone and smart devices at home or in the designated drop-off
Smartphones, smartwatches, and earbuds are generally not allowed in the exam room. Confirm the provider's rule on where devices must be stored and what happens if one is found.
Check the start time and arrival time
Note the official start time and the arrival time the provider requires. Arrive early enough to be seated and checked in; confirm whether late arrivals are admitted at all.
Know the exact location and route
Check the building and room, and plan your route and travel time, including possible delays. If you are unsure of the room, confirm with your school before the day.
Bring water and a small snack if permitted
Water in a clear bottle and a quiet snack can help during a long exam, but the rules on food and drink in the exam room vary. Confirm with the provider what is allowed.
Bring a watch if you want to track time
A simple analog watch lets you pace yourself if the room clock is not visible. Smartwatches are generally not allowed, so use a plain watch and confirm the provider's policy.
Prepare your Italian reference knowledge, not notes
No notes or cheat sheets are allowed. In the final days, review vocabulary, grammar structures, and text types you have practiced, but do not bring any written material into the exam room.
Read the official exam instructions in advance
Review the official instructions for the Italian VWO exam (e.g., on the Dutch education examination site) so you know the structure, time allowed, and scoring. If anything is unclear, confirm with your teacher or the provider.
Plan the day
Do targeted practice under timed conditions: one full reading task and one writing task in Italian, using the text types and question formats you have practiced. Check your answers against the mark scheme or your teacher's feedback, and write down the three error types you make most often (e.g., verb tense, word order, false friends).
Review your Italian vocabulary and grammar checklist, focusing on high-frequency connectives, verb forms, and formal vs. informal register. Practice paraphrasing and summarizing short passages, since these skills support both reading and writing questions.
Confirm practical details: exam date, start time, room, ID requirement, and the dictionary/device policy. Ask your teacher or the provider about anything uncertain rather than guessing.
Do a light review only: skim your error list and a short list of useful phrases for structuring an argument or a letter in Italian. Stop studying early enough to sleep well; avoid cramming new material.
Pack your bag: ID, admission letter or candidate number, two or three pens, pencil, eraser, highlighter, water, and a plain watch. Check the route and set an alarm. Put your phone away so it is not accidentally brought into the exam room.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and do a short warm-up: read one short Italian paragraph and note two or three useful linking words. Do not try to learn new grammar at this point.
At check-in, follow the invigilator's instructions, hand in or store your phone as required, and place only permitted items on your desk. Read the cover page carefully before the start signal.
First, skim the whole paper to see the number of questions and the points available, then allocate time per section and leave a few minutes at the end to check. Answer the questions you are confident about first if time is tight.
For reading questions, locate the relevant passage and quote or paraphrase evidence in your answer; for open questions, write in complete Italian sentences and address every part of the question. For writing tasks, plan briefly, use clear paragraphs, and leave time to check verb endings, agreement, and spelling.
Watch the clock, but do not panic if a task is hard: write what you can, move on, and return later. If you finish early, use the remaining time to re-read your answers and correct clear errors rather than leaving early.
Rules to check
Bring and present the ID document required by the provider; if you are unsure whether a school pass is accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times, including seating, start and stop signals, and rules on leaving the room.
Do not use or keep a phone, smartwatch, or other connected device in the exam room; confirm the provider's storage and confiscation policy in advance.
Use only permitted materials. Do not bring notes, annotated texts, or unauthorised dictionaries; confirm the dictionary policy with the provider.
Write your answers in the required language and format, and make sure your name or candidate number is on every answer sheet as instructed.
If you need to leave the room temporarily, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator; the rules on breaks and supervision vary, so confirm them with the provider.
Scoring and grading follow the official mark scheme for the exam; ask your teacher how the paper is weighted rather than relying on assumptions.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem during the exam, report it to the invigilator immediately and follow the provider's procedure for appeals or special circumstances.