VWO Russisch exam-day guide
VWO Russisch · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Bring a valid ID document
Most Dutch schools require a passport, ID card, or residence permit at the door. Confirm with your own school which document they accept and whether a copy is allowed; if unsure, bring the original.
Bring your exam timetable and candidate number
You need to know the room, start time, and your candidate/exam number for the answer sheet. Print or screenshot the confirmation from your school.
Bring pens and spare pens
Use blue or black ink for written answers; a pencil is normally only for multiple-choice answer sheets and any optical forms. Confirm locally which writing tools are permitted.
Bring a watch (no smart functions)
Classrooms may not have a visible clock. A plain wristwatch helps you pace the reading and writing sections; smartwatches are almost always forbidden.
Leave phone and smart devices at home or in the designated place
Phones, smartwatches, and earbuds must be switched off and stored outside your reach. Having one on you during the exam can lead to invalidation; confirm the exact rule with your school.
Bring water and something light to eat
The Russian exam can run several hours. A small snack for before or after the session helps; check whether food is allowed at your desk.
Know the dictionary rule for the Russisch exam
For the reading and writing components, a dictionary may be permitted under conditions set by the school or the examination board. Confirm with your teacher exactly which dictionary (and whether it must be provided by school) you may use.
Re-read the official exam instructions for Russisch
Check the current year's instructions on the Dutch examination board site or the letter from your school for the exact component structure, time allowance, and permitted aids.
Review your own error log and vocabulary
Bring a one-page summary of recurring mistakes (case endings, verb aspect, word order) and a short list of high-frequency exam vocabulary to review before you enter.
Plan your route and arrival time
Aim to arrive well before the start; late arrivals may not be admitted once the exam has begun. Confirm the school's arrival cutoff.
Know the Cyrillic keyboard or handwriting expectations
If the exam is on paper, practise writing Cyrillic clearly and legibly; if it is digital, confirm whether a Cyrillic keyboard is available and how to switch layouts.
Plan the day
Do one full timed practice paper under exam conditions. Mark it strictly, then list your three biggest error types and spend the remaining days on those, not on new material.
Re-read the official instructions for the Russisch exam: number of components, time per component, permitted aids, and how answers must be written. Confirm anything unclear with your teacher.
Review your error log and key grammar: noun cases, verb aspect (perfective/imperfective), verbs of motion, and sentence word order. Do short focused exercises rather than long reading.
Do a light review only: vocabulary list, fixed phrases for the writing task, and a few reading questions. Stop early enough to sleep well.
Pack your bag: ID, pens, watch, water, snack, and any permitted dictionary. Check the room, start time, and travel plan.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive early, and skim your one-page summary. Avoid discussing answers or cramming new grammar with classmates right before the door opens.
Read all instructions, check the number of questions and pages, and note the end time. Write your name and candidate number correctly on every answer sheet.
Work in passes: answer what you know first, then return to harder items. For reading, locate the answer in the text rather than relying on general knowledge; for writing, plan briefly, then check cases, aspect, and agreement before finishing.
Check that every question is answered, transfer any answers to the correct sheet, and proofread written Russian for endings and spelling. Do not leave early unless the rules allow it.
Rules to check
Bring a valid ID if your school requires it; confirm with the provider which document is accepted and whether it must be the original.
Phones and other smart devices must be off and out of reach for the whole session. Confirm the school's exact storage rule and the consequences of a violation.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on start, stop, and leaving the room. Breaks are usually only permitted under supervision and with permission; confirm the policy with the provider.
Use only permitted aids. Whether a dictionary is allowed for the Russisch components, and which type, is set by the examination rules; confirm with your teacher or the provider rather than assuming.
Write in the required language and format: answers in Dutch unless the question asks for Russian, and Russian where the task requires it. Illegible or ambiguous answers may not be marked.
Scoring is based on the official mark scheme for the exam, including content, language accuracy, and task completion for the writing component. Confirm the weighting and pass mark with your teacher.
If something goes wrong during the exam (illness, missing pages, technical failure), report it to the invigilator immediately and ask how it will be recorded; do not try to fix it silently.
Do not share or discuss exam content with others during the exam period in a way your school prohibits; confirm the school's rules on this with the provider.