Do not untick the Send Results by SMS box if you wish to receive results by SMS. ... Candidates are to apply online usin
s n o i t a n i am k x o E o C b e E S d i T u G MA e t a id d n a C ction: Introdu SEC T The MA tion Board a n i Exam 4 PAGE 0 ral , Gene Syllabi les and Past b Timeta ation Papers i Exam n 6 PAGE 0
tion Applica s Proces 0 PAGE 1
work Course 4 PAGE 1
Access ments e Arrang cial e and Sp ations er d Consi 6 PAGE 1
n Revisio s er of Pap 8 PAGE 2
es Absenc 0 PAGE 2
ation Examin and t Conduc ns tio a Regul 2 PAGE 2 ps sult Sli e R , s t l Resu ificates rt and Ce 6 PAGE 2
ation Examin Fees 0 PAGE 3
e ting th Contac Support C MATSE Unit 2 PAGE 3
Introduction
ADSC - Access - Disability Support Committee (at the University of Malta) AM - Advanced Matriculation IM - Intermediate Matriculation EAA - Examination Access Arrangement MATSEC - Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate Examinations Board PSAO – Principal Subject Area Officer SEC – Secondary Education Certificate SEC IIA – SEC Paper IIA option SEC IIB – SEC Paper IIB option
The Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate (MATSEC) Examinations Board was established in 1991 by the Senate and the Council of the University of Malta. The Board was entrusted with the development of an examination system to replace the examinations set by UK examination boards in Malta. It aimed to increase access to examinations from 20% to at least 80% of the population, a target that has been proudly achieved and maintained since 2005. The new Board also took over the functions of the Matriculation Board which also used to set examinations at Ordinary and Advanced level in a number of subjects. The MATSEC Examinations Board holds records of Matriculation Examinations that go back to the late 19th century. The MATSEC Examinations Board is made up of members representing various stakeholders of the Maltese educational system. A list of current members can be found on the MATSEC website in the Regulations section. The MATSEC Support Unit acts as the operational branch of the MATSEC Examinations Board. The aim of this document is to assist candidates in their journey to be successful in their MATSEC examinations.
UoM – University of Malta
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Syllabi, Timetables & Past Papers
SYLLABI 2.01. Syllabi specify what is to be assessed as well as the means and structure of assessment. 2.02. MATSEC is responsible for developing and maintaining syllabi for a range of subjects at three different levels: Secondary Education Certificate (SEC), Intermediate Matriculation (IM) and Advanced Matriculation (AM). 2.03. The year indicated on a syllabus is the year in which the final assessment is scheduled.
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2.08. The general timetables enable candidates to plan ahead and make sure the examinations they register for do not clash with any personal activities. 2.09. In the case of clashes in the May session, candidates are encouraged to alert the Examinations Department by submitting a clash form. This is attainable from the Examinations Department, Floriana. 2.10. In the case of clashes in the September session, candidates are to inform the MATSEC Support Unit by sending an e-mail to
[email protected]
2.04. New syllabi are normally published at least three years before the subject is examined in the case of SEC, and two years before the subject is examined in the case of IM and AM.
2.11. MATSEC will not make any arrangements for clashes with foreign examination boards.
2.05. All subject syllabi are available on the MATSEC website in the Syllabi section.
DETAILED TIMETABLES
TIMETABLES AND CLASHES
2.12. Detailed timetables with examination centres and the candidate’s index number are sent to candidates by post approximately ten days before the start of the examination session.
2.06. Timetables for both the May and September sessions are made available on the MATSEC website in October of the year preceding the examination.
2.13. Information about aural/oral and practical components are sent to candidates by post with the detailed timetables.
2.07. Timetables can be found in the Timetables subsection within the Assessment section of the MATSEC website.
2.14. Timetables for the May session are sent by the Examinations Department, Floriana. 2.15. Timetables for the September session are sent by the MATSEC Support Unit.
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2.16. It is essential that the candidate’s details on the timetable are correct as these will appear on the examination certificate. Should the document contain any error/s, such as ones related to the candidate’s name, address or ID card number, the candidate is to inform the MATSEC Support Unit by sending an e-mail to
[email protected]. In this e-mail, the candidate is to: a. State his/her ID card or index number; b. Include the details which are to be changed; c. Attach a scanned copy of his/her ID card or passport; d. Pay the applicable fee of €5.00
Past Examination Papers and Model Answers 2.17. Past examination papers from 2012 onwards can be bought from the MATSEC website. The link is available at the bottom right-hand corner of the Homepage. 2.19. The MATSEC Support Unit does not publish model answers for past examination papers.
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Application Process
MAY SESSION 3.01. The application process for the May session is delegated to the Examinations Department in Floriana. This department can be contacted via: a. Telephone: 2598 2953 (Malta), 2155 8341 (Gozo), 2155 6287 (Gozo) b. E-mail:
[email protected]
subject at school), indicate this by ticking the Private candidate box near the subject. j. Check the information provided before you submit your application. If there are any mistakes, go back and make the necessary changes. 3.04. Non-electronic applications are to be handed in at the Examinations Department, Floriana, or the Examinations Centre, Victoria, Gozo by the same deadlines.
3.02. Applications are open around the end of October. The date is made public on the MATSEC website, Examinations Department website and other media.
SEPTEMBER SESSION
3.03. The online application should be completed by following the steps below:
3.05. Applications for the September session are managed by the MATSEC Support Unit.
a. Access the Examinations Department website: exams.gov.mt b. Click on Click here to apply at the bottom of the page. c. Enter your e-ID card number and password. d. Select the awarding body (i.e. MATSEC). e. Check your personal details provided by the website and fill in any missing information. f. Select the school you attend and your class.
3.06. Applications are open a few days following the publication of the May session results (mid-July). Dates are published on the MATSEC website. 3.07. Online applications can be completed via www.um.edu.mt/matsec/apply 3.08. Non-electronic applications are accepted at the Gateway Building, University of Malta, on the dates indicated in the information sheet enclosed with the results slip, between 8:30 am and 12:30 pm.
g. Do not untick the Send Results by SMS box if you wish to receive results by SMS. h. Select the subjects and paper (in case of SEC candidates) that you wish to apply for. i. If you are sitting for any subject as a private candidate (and therefore you do not study the
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SEC SEPTEMBER SESSION
LATE APPLICATIONS
3.09. Candidates are to apply online using the details provided on their result slip for the May session.
3.13. Late applications for the May session are accepted at the Examinations Department, Floriana, and the Examinations Centre, Victoria, Gozo on the published dates. These are usually open at the beginning of January.
3.10. The SEC September session is a supplementary (resit) session meaning that: a. Only the compulsory subjects required for one’s admission to sixth form are offered, that is, Maths, Maltese, English Language and a science subject (Physics, Chemistry, or Biology); b. Candidates can only sit for this session if they registered for a preceding May session; c. Candidates can only sit for Maths, Maltese and/or English Language exams if they obtained a Grade 6, 7 or U or were absent for the examination in the May session; d. Candidates can only sit for one of Physics, Chemistry or Biology if they did not obtain at least a Grade 5 in any one of these subjects in the May session.
3.14. Late applications for the September session are accepted at the MATSEC Support Unit, University of Malta on the indicated dates. These are usually open at the beginning of August. Late applications forms are available in the Forms and Logs subsection under the Assessment section of the MATSEC website. 3.15. Very late applications for both the May and September sessions are accepted at the MATSEC Support Unit, University of Malta, after the dates available for late applications. 3.16. Additional registration fees apply for late and very late applications, as indicated in the Examination Fees section of this handbook and on the MATSEC website.
MATRICULATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS: SEPTEMBER SESSION
SEC VOCATIONAL SUBJECTS
3.11. The Matriculation Certificate September session is a new session of examinations, separate from the May session.
3.17. Candidates wishing to register for SEC vocational subjects are to do so at the beginning of their course (Year 9/Form 3).
3.12. Candidates may apply for any one subject at Advanced level, any one Intermediate level subject from each group of the Matriculation Examination, and Systems of Knowledge.
3.18. Applications open around mid-October. 3.19. Applications are to be submitted online via www.um.edu.mt/matsec/applyvoc
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Coursework
SCHOOL CANDIDATES 4.01. The coursework component is assessed by the class teacher and the marks are forwarded by the school to the MATSEC Support Unit. 4.02. The coursework must be made available at the school for members of the MATSEC Markers Panel to moderate the work (i.e. to ensure that the work is fairly corrected and that the same standard of marking is used across different educational institutions). 4.03. School candidates are to abide by the deadline set by their respective schools. The coursework of a school candidate will not be accepted if it is submitted directly at the MATSEC Support Unit. 4.04. Candidates may be asked to sit for an interview about their coursework / project. Interview dates are published on the MATSEC website.
4.07. The work is corrected by members of the MATSEC Markers Panel for the particular subject. 4.08. Private candidates shall be called for an interview. Interview dates are published on the MATSEC website.
COLLECTION OF COURSEWORK 4.09. All submitted coursework becomes the property of the MATSEC Examinations Board. 4.10. The MATSEC Examinations Board indicates, through the MATSEC website and its Facebook page, dates when private candidates’ coursework (projects, reports and other work) can be collected by candidates from the MATSEC Support Unit, University of Malta or the Gozo Examinations Centre, Victoria.
PRIVATE CANDIDATES
4.11. After the deadline stipulated for the collection of coursework, the MATSEC Support Unit reserves the right to dispose of any uncollected coursework as it deems fit.
4.05. Private candidates are to submit their coursework at the MATSEC Support Unit by the dates indicated on the general timetable.
4.12. Written scripts and practical work carried out under formal examination conditions are retained by the MATSEC Examinations Board.
4.06. Each coursework is to be submitted with a duly filled Coursework and Project Authentication Form which can be downloaded from the Forms and Logs subsection in the Assessment section of the MATSEC website.
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Access Arrangements & Other Considerations
ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS 5.01. Candidates who have a condition which impedes their access to examinations can apply for access arrangements. 5.02. Information about examination access arrangements (EAAs) can be accessed through the subsection on Access Arrangements in the Regulations section of the MATSEC website.
d. Candidates who sat for examinations in May/September and are sitting for examinations in the May session of the following year/s must submit applications for access arrangements with valid certification by the deadlines published by the MATSEC Examinations Board.
5.03. The dates by which applications for access arrangements are to be submitted are published on the MATSEC website.
5.06. The required forms can be downloaded from the Access Arrangements subsection in the Regulations section of the MATSEC website.
5.04. Deadlines for access arrangements applications are not extended; Only emergency cases, such as those involving an injury that could not have been foreseen prior to the deadline, can be accepted after the deadline.
5.07. Forms are to be supported by a professional/s’ report/s on the candidate’s condition. A list of professionals who are eligible to provide reports and/or certification for particular conditions is available on the University of Malta Guidelines to MATSEC Examinations Access Arrangements 2015, page 11.
5.05. Applications for different candidates: a. Candidates sitting for the May session must submit applications for access arrangements, with valid certification, by the deadlines published by the MATSEC Examinations Board. b. Candidates who sat for examinations in May and wish to sit/resit for examinations in September need not submit another application. The same Examination Access Arrangements will apply for any exam taken at the same level. Therefore candidates need not present updates unless their condition has changed and they wish to provide fresh documentation as evidence of this. 16
c. AM/IM Candidates sitting for Matriculation Examinations in the September session for the first time must submit an application for access arrangements with valid certification by mid-June.
5.08. The validity of professional reports varies according to the candidate’s condition. Reports for Dyscalculia and SpLD are valid for two years while those for AD(H)D, Dispraxia/DCD and Speech impairment are valid for three years. More information is available on the University of Malta Guidelines to MATSEC Examinations Access Arrangements 2015, page 22. 5.09. Candidates should inform the MATSEC Examinations Board immediately in case of injury or hospitalisation close to the examination date/s. The MATSEC Examinations Board cannot guarantee that it will accommodate the candidate with the necessary arrangements to sit for the examination/s but will do its best to do so. In cases of 17
hospitalisation, candidates will only be allowed to sit for the examination if they are fit to do so and if an examination environment is secured in the ward. No examinations can be held in candidates’ private residences.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS 5.10. If something beyond the candidate’s control affects his/her performance during the examination period, the candidate may ask for special consideration. 5.11. Such cases include but are not limited to: a. Being diagnosed with a serious illness; b. Death or hospitalisation of a family member; c. Hospitalisation of the candidate. 5.12. Special consideration may be sought by sending a formal written request to the Director of the MATSEC Support Unit on
[email protected]
SITTING FOR EXAMINATIONS ABROAD 5.14. The MATSEC Examinations Board will consider applications from candidates who wish to sit for MATSEC examinations in a foreign country for justifiable reasons such as: a. National sporting events; b. Medical treatment; c. Grave humanitarian cases. 5.15. Candidates are required to make a request in writing to the MATSEC Examinations Board on the Request to sit for MATSEC Examinations abroad form by the late registration period. The form can be downloaded from the Forms and Logbooks subsection of the Assessment section of the MATSEC website. 5.16. A non-refundable €50.00 fee applies for examinations held abroad in addition to the published registration and subject fees. 5.17. The candidate will be informed about any additional expenses requested by the foreign servicing institution/s for holding the examinations abroad. Candidates are to pay these expenses themselves directly to the institution/s.
5.13. Evidence is to be provided with the formal request.
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Absences
6.01. Candidates who are ill on the day of the examination should notify the MATSEC Support Unit if the examination is an oral/aural examination. 6.02. All notifications are to be accompanied by a medical certificate that needs to reach the MATSEC Support Unit or, in case of Gozitan candidates, the Examinations Centre, Victoria, Gozo, within three days of the start of the candidate’s illness. 6.03. If the missed examination is an oral assessment, and according to the MATSEC timetable, another oral of the same subject at the same level is to be held on another date, the MATSEC Support Unit will try to accommodate the candidate on this date. 6.04. If the examination is a foreign language listening comprehension or a written paper, it will be missed since these subjects are not offered in the September session. However, if the candidate misses the English Language listening comprehension examination due to certified illness and fails to obtain a Grade 5 or better in the May examination, s/he is entitled to re-sit the listening comprehension examination in September. 6.05. MATSEC examination fees are not refundable. The MATSEC Support Unit may, however, consider issuing a credit note for missing examinations due to grave humanitarian reasons. Such requests should be: a. Made in writing to the Director of the MATSEC Support Unit (
[email protected]); b. Accompanied by any relevant medical certificate, hospital-related documents, or by a declaration made by a competent authority (if any); c. Presented within three working days from the date of the first missed examination/s.
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Examination Conduct & Regulations
7.01. Candidates are to bring their timetable and ID card/passport with them for identification purposes. 7.02. Candidates are not to write their name, school or anything else that can identify them other than their index number on the examination papers. Scribbles or other marks will be considered as an attempt by the candidate to reveal his/her identity. 7.03. Candidates are advised to be at the examination centre at least half an hour before the start of the examination. 7.04. Candidates who are more than half an hour late may not be allowed into the examination centre. 7.05. During the examination, candidates are not to communicate – verbally or otherwise – with other individuals apart from their examination invigilators and head of centres. 7.06. Mobile phones, smartphones, smartwatches, or any other electronic devices and/or means of communication are either not to be brought into the examination centre or to be switched off or placed in the candidate’s bag. Under no account should such devices be kept on the candidate’s person or on their desk/chair.
7.08. Candidates shall use their own pens, pencils, rulers and any other required equipment to each examination. All stationery is to be kept in a transparent container or on the table in such a way that it is visible to invigilation personnel. No borrowing (e.g. of stationery) is allowed during examinations. 7.09. Candidates are required to legibly write all answers and rough work on the stationary provided by the MATSEC Examinations Board. Rough work is to be crossed out without making it illegible. 7.10. Candidates should not use correcting fluid/tape or erasable pens during examinations. 7.11. Any equipment that is not directly linked to the examination or that can be used for copying is strictly prohibited. 7.12. Candidates are allowed 5 minutes reading and noting time at the start of written examination papers.
7.07. Unless otherwise stated on the examination rubric, candidates are to write in blue or black ink only (with the exception of diagrams and graphs).
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7.13. No part of the script can be torn off or highlighted. 7.14. Candidates are not allowed to leave the examination room permanently in the first hour or in the last 15 minutes before the end of the examination unless otherwise stated on the examination rubric. 7.15. Candidates should not attempt to remove examination books or parts thereof, including copies, from the examination venue. 7.16. Candidates should not wear coats, scarves, hats, or outdoor wear, except where exemption applies for religious or health reasons. During laboratory practical examinations, candidates are to wear appropriate clothing as required by the subject and communicated by the MATSEC Examinations Board.
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Results, Result Slips & Certificates
8.01. Results for the May session are sent by post and by SMS (for candidates registering for this service) in mid-July. The MATSEC Examinations Board is not liable for results which are not sent by registered post. 8.02. Results for the September session are sent by post and by SMS (for candidates registering for this service) towards the end of September. 8.03. An official certificate is sent to the candidate’s respective school (if a school candidate) or to the Exams Department (if a private candidate) in February. This is to be collected by the candidate. 8.04. Official copies of certificates can be re-issued from the MATSEC Examinations Board. Candidates are to: a. Fill in a Request for Copies of Past MATSEC Certificates Form which can be downloaded from the Forms and Logs subsection in the Assessment section of the MATSEC website; b. Apply at the MATSEC Support Unit, University of Malta; c. Pay the requested fee per level (i.e. the fee is double that stated if the person is applying for certificates for both SEC and Matriculation examinations); d. Collect the certificates personally or have them posted by registered mail (an extra fee applies). 8.05. MATSEC Examinations Board examinations are recognised by institutions of higher education and employers as well as by overseas authorities.
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Revision of Paper
9.01. Candidates who feel that their paper might not have been properly assessed may appeal by applying for a Revision of Paper. 9.02. A Revision of Paper involves a review of a candidate’s examination papers by a marker (Reviser) who is not part of the original Markers’ Panel. 9.03. The Reviser checks for clerical and/or assessment errors and writes a report on the candidate’s performance which is sent to the candidate. 9.04. If additional marks are awarded that lead to an upgrade of the original grade, this is stated in the report. 9.05. The original grade cannot be downgraded following a Revision of Paper. 9.06. The Revision of Paper fee is reimbursed should there be a change in grade. 9.07. Applications for Revision of Paper of the May session are accepted during the registration period for the September session. The dates are communicated to candidates by post with the May result slip. 9.08. The date/s for application for Revision of Paper of the September session are communicated to candidates with the September result slip. 9.09. Revision of Paper reports are sent subject by subject and the MATSEC Support Unit cannot guarantee that these will be received before the start of the September session.
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Examination Fees & Contacting the Matsec Support Unit
10.01. A list of examinations fees is available on the MATSEC website under Timetables and Applications. 10.02. Practical examination fees are applicable in subjects having a practical component that is organised and coordinated by the MATSEC Support Unit. 10.03. Examinations fees are not refundable. The MATSEC Examinations Board may consider issuing a credit note only for grave humanitarian reasons. Such requests should be made in writing to the Chairperson of the MATSEC Examinations Board by electronic or traditional mail. These requests should be accompanied with the relevant documentation.
WAIVING OF FEES 10.07. The MATSEC Examinations Board may consider waiving examination fees for eligible candidates. 10.08. Candidates must present the Waiving of Examination Fees Form which can be downloaded from the Forms and Logbooks subsection in the Assessment section of the MATSEC website. 10.09. Only registration and subject fees can be waived. Fees for Revision of Papers and Late/Very Late Registration Fees cannot be waived.
10.04. The Registration Fee is to be paid once per application (SEC and/or Matriculation Certificate).
10.10. A candidate may have his/her registration and subject fees waived if s/he satisfies one of the criteria below:
10.05. The Late Registration Fee is paid for each registration of a new or existing candidate received during the period of late registrations as set by the MATSEC Examinations Board. This fee is in addition to the published registration and subject fees.
a. The candidates’ family receives social assistance and the request is endorsed by the Department of Social Services; b. The candidate currently resides in a government approved home for social cases – including but not limited to St Patrick’s School, Programm Fejda and Dar Niki Cassar – and his/her request is endorsed by the head or director of the home;
10.06. The Very Late Registration Fee is to be paid over and above the Normal and Late Registration fees for each subject registration (up to four subjects) of a new or existing candidate received after the late registration period and till the date set by the MATSEC Examinations Board.
c. The candidate is currently serving a prison sentence; d. The candidate is an unemployed person with refugee status and his/her request is endorsed by the Emigrants’ Commission; e. The candidate is undergoing serious medical treatment over an extended period and which is resulting in financial hardship for his/her family; f. Other grave humanitarian reasons.
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Contacting the Matsec Support Unit
CONTACTING THE MATSEC SUPPORT UNIT 11.01. The MATSEC Support Unit is open to the general public as follows: a. Winter: 8:15 am – 12:00 pm, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm b. Summer: 8:00 am – 1:00 pm 11.02. The MATSEC Support Unit can be reached through: a. E-mail:
[email protected] b. Telephone: 2340 2814 / 2815 / 2816 11.03. The MATSEC Support Unit uploads important notices in the Notices section of the MATSEC website and on Facebook. The Facebook page, however, serves only to communicate information to the general public – comments and messages sent on Facebook are not replied to. 11.04. The MATSEC Support Unit is located within the University of Malta near the old gate. 11.05. A map of the University of Malta can be accessed through this link: www.um.edu.mt/campusmap. The MATSEC Support Unit is marked as 41 on the map.
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MSIDA CAMPUS MAP 60
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MATSEC Support Unit University of Malta Msida, MSD 2080
2340 2814 2340 2815 2340 2816
[email protected]
WINTER 0815 - 1200hrs 1330 - 1630hrs
www.um.edu.mt/matsec
SUMMER 0800 - 1330hrs
