L.S. 327.696 Regolamenti tal-Eżami għaċ-Ċertifikat tal-Edukazzjoni Sekondarja

(1)These regulations may be cited as the Secondary Education Certificate Examination Regulations.

(2)Citation and Interpretation. In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires "the Examination" means the Secondary Education Certificate Examination; and "the MATSEC Board" means the Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate Examinations Board.

(3)The MATSEC Board retains to itself the interpretation of the regulations and syllabuses relating to its examinations. 2.

(1)These regulations shall apply to the Examination held from January 2025 onwards. Applicability.

(2)The Examination shall also be subject to the Conduct of the Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate Examinations Regulations, 2013, published as Legal Notice 132 of 2013, and to any other relevant statutes, regulations and bye-laws of the University.

1. There shall be two sessions of the Examination: the Main Session and the Supplementary Session. There shall also be continuous assessment as specified in the syllabi and learning and assessment programmes approved by the MATSEC Board.
2. following:

(1)In the Main Session the subjects offered shall be the As from January 2025 onwards: Accounting, Agribusiness*, Arabic, Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Chinese, Computing, Core Science, Dance, Design & Technology, Economics, English Language, English Literature, Engineering Technology*, Environmental Studies, Ethics, European Studies, Fashion and Textiles*, French, Geography, German, Graphical Communication, Greek, History, Hairdressing and Beauty*, Health and S ocia l Care*, Home Economics, Hospitality*, Information Technology*, Italian, Latin, Maltese, Maltese as a Foreign Language, Mathematics, Media Literacy Education*, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Sessions and TimeTables. Subjects of the Examination. Amended by: L.N. 247 of 2024. 2 [ S.L. 327.696 SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION Knowledge, Retail*, Social Studies, Spanish and Theatre. And as from January 2027 onwards: Accounting, Agribusiness*, Arabic, Art, Biology, Business Studies, Chemistry, Chinese, Computing, D a n c e , Design & Technology, Economics, English Language, English Literature, Engineering Technology*, Environmental Studies, Ethics, European Studies, Fashion and Textiles*, French, Geography, German, Graphical Communication, Greek, History, Health and Social Care*, Home Economics, Hospitality*, Information Technology*, Italian, Latin, Maltese, Maltese as a Foreign Language, Mathematics, Media Literacy Education*, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Religious Knowledge, Social Studies, Spanish and Theatre.

(2)In the Supplementary Session, subject to the provisions of paragraph

(2)of regulation 5, the subjects offered shall be the following: English Language, Maltese, Mathematics, and, subject to the provisions of paragraphs

(2)and

(3)of regulation 5, Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Choice of Subjects. Amended by: L.N. 170 of 2023; L.N. 247 of 2024. 5.

(1)No subject may be taken concurrently in both the Secondary Education Certificate Examination and the Matriculation Certificate Examination at Advanced or Intermediate Level.

(2)Candidates are eligible to register for the Supplementary Session in any of the subjects in paragraph

(2)of regulation 4 only if, in the Main Session of that same year, they had obtained a Level 2 or lower, or if they were absent in Paper II, except for Biology, Chemistry and Physics which are regulated by paragraph

(3)of this regulation.

(3)In the Supplementary Session, candidates may sit for only one examination in either Biology, or Chemistry or Physics, provided that they had not already obtained a Level 3 in any of these three subjects. Structure of the Examination. Amended by: L.N. 170 of 2023. Substituted by: L.N. 247 of 2024. 6.

(1)With the exception of Greek and Latin, candidates may register for the Examination as school or private candidates. Candidates may only register for Greek and Latin as private candidates.

(2)With the exception of the subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4: (

1. a)the Examination in all other subjects shall consist of two papers: Paper I and Paper II as specified in the respective syllabi; (
2. b)Paper I for school candidates shall consist of unmoderated school-based assessment that is to be set and assessed by the school; SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION [ S.L. 327.696 (
3. c)Paper I for school candidates may be tiered at either levels 1-2-3 or levels 1-2 according to the respective MATSEC syllabus; (
4. d)Paper I for private candidates shall be a controlled assessment and shall mainly focus on the learning outcomes marked in the respective syllabi as suggested for school-based assessment; (
5. e)Paper I for private candidates shall be a controlled assessment assessing Levels 1, 2 and 3 as described in the respective syllabus and set and marked by MATSEC; (
6. f)Paper II shall be a controlled assessment set and marked by MATSEC and is common to school and private candidates; (
7. g)With the exception of Mathematics, all Paper II controlled assessments shall be tiered at two levels: levels 1-2 and levels 2-3; (
8. h)Paper II for Mathematics shall be tiered at three levels: levels 1-2, levels 2-3 and levels 3-3*; (
9. i)Candidates shall be required to indicate on their application form whether they wish to sit for their Paper II assessment at levels 1-2 or levels 2-3 or levels 3-3* (for Mathematics only); and (
10. j)In the Supplementary Session, only levels 2-3 shall be offered for Paper II and as indicated in paragraphs

(2)and

(3)of regulation 5.

(3)In all subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4: (

1. a)the assessment for school candidates shall consist of three components. Paper I shall consist of unmoderated school-based assessment that is set and assessed by the school, a coursework component which shall be set and assessed by the school and moderated by MATSEC and Paper II which shall consist of a controlled assessment set and marked by MATSEC and is common to school and private candidates; (
2. b)Paper I, Paper II and the coursework component shall be set at levels 1-2-3; and (
3. c)Candidates may register as private candidates if they would have already registered for the same subject 3 4 [ S.L. 327.696 SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION in a previous Main Session. In such cases the candidate’s Paper I mark and coursework mark are transferred from the previous session. Grades and Levels. Amended by: L.N. 247 of 2024. 7.

(1)The attainment in Paper I for school candidates, Paper II and an overall level shall be reported. In all subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4, the coursework mark shall also be reported.

(2)Candidates may qualify for an overall level at Levels 1, 2, or 3, with Level 3 being the highest level. The level shall be determined by the cumulative score of candidates in Paper I and Paper II and the coursework component in the subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4. The results of candidates who do not achieve at least Level 1 shall not have a level awarded and shall be reported by ‘NA’ which denotes Not Attained.

(3)Paper I shall carry a weighting of 30% of the final overall level. The mark achieved by school candidates in Paper I shall be reported out of 30 marks, with the highest mark being 30 and lowest being 0, denoting that the submitted work by the candidate was not awarded any marks. The letters ‘np’ shall be reported for candidates who do not submit any work. With the exception of all subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4, private candidates shall have the letters ‘PC’ reported representing ‘private candidate’ instead of the score for Paper I.

(4)With the exception of all subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4, school candidates who would have done their school-based assessment, or part of, at levels 1-2 and sit for their Paper II at levels 2-3 shall have their school-based assessment mark weighted at 60% of its value for the computation of an overall level. In such cases the weighted value shall be reported.

(5)Paper II shall be graded on an eight-point scale, grades 1 to 8. Grade 1 shall be awarded for the highest level of achievement.

(6)Grades in Paper II shall be awarded in accordance with the following criteria: Grade 1: Indicates an overall excellent grasp of the subject and the level of attainment that is expected of the ablest candidates. Grade 2: Indicates a very high level of achievement overall. Grade 3: Indicates a high level of achievement but falls below this level in certain sections ofthe examination. Grade 4: Indicates a good overall level. Grade 5: Indicates a good level, but not overall, and is the minimum level acceptable for further studies in the subject. SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION [ S.L. 327.696 5 Grade 6: Indicates a general grasp of the subject but not a sufficiently deep understanding of it. Grade 7: Indicates a basic level of attainment. Grade 8: Indicates a very low level of attainment.

(7)With the exception of Mathematics and all subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4, candidates sitting for Paper II at levels 2-3 may qualify for Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. The results of candidates who do not obtain at least Grade 7 shall remain unclassified and shall be denoted as U.

(8)Candidates sitting for Mathematics Paper II at levels 2-3 may qualify for Grades 4, 5, 6 or 7, whilst candidates sitting for Mathematics Paper II at levels 3-3* may qualify for Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5.

(9)With the exception of all subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4, candidates sitting for Paper II at levels 1-2 may qualify for Grades 6, 7 or 8. The results of candidates who do not obtain at least Grade 8 shall remain unclassified and shall be denoted as U.

(10)Candidates taking the subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4 may qualify for Grades 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 for their performance in Paper II. The results of candidates who do not obtain at least Grade 8 shall remain unclassified and shall be denoted as U.

(11)In subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4, the coursework component shall carry a weighting of 30% of the final overall level. The mark achieved by school candidates in the coursework shall be reported out of 30 marks, with the highest mark being 30 and lowest being 0, denoting that the submitted work by the candidate was not awarded any marks. The letters ‘np’ shall be reported when candidates do not submit any work.

(12)With the exception of subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4, candidates are to fulfil the set criteria in Paper I and Paper II to obtain a level higher than Level 1.

(13)For subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4, candidates are to attempt all assessment components and fulfil the set criteria in the coursework component and in Paper II to obtain a level higher than Level 1. 8.

(1)Only candidates who have completed their studies in Year 11 (Form V) of secondary education or who attain the age of sixteen by 31 December of the year of certification shall be allowed to register for the Examination. Registration. Amended by: L.N. 247 of 2024. 6 [ S.L. 327.696 SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION

(2)Registration for the Main Session of the Examination, on the appropriate application form and accompanied by the relevant fee (if applicable), must be made by the closing date as published in the notice for registration. Applications submitted after the closing date but by the published date for late applications shall be accepted if the relevant fee for late registrations is paid.

(3)The Executive Director may, at his/her discretion, accept applications for registration for the Main Session at a later date against the payment of an additional fee.

(4)Registration for the Supplementary Session shall be made during the dates published by MATSEC. Candidates shall be allowed to register for the Supplementary Session only if they registered for the Main Session of the examination in the corresponding year and subject to the provisions of paragraphs

(2)and

(3)of regulation 5.

(5)The Executive Director may, at their discretion, accept late applications for the Supplementary Session after the closing date if an additional fee is paid.

(6)The Executive Director may, at his/her discretion, accept alterations to the application form by the candidate, subject to the same conditions and additional fees applicable for late registration. Enquiries upon Results. Substituted by: L.N. 247 of

2. The marking of papers, the assessment of school-based assessments and coursework, and the results shall be final and binding for all candidates, and the MATSEC Board shall not, except in its absolute discretion, enter into correspondence about results with candidates or anyone on their behalf or any other person. Revision of Grade. Amended by: L.N. 247 of
3. 10.

(1)In terms of regulation 10 of The Conduct of the Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate Examinations Regulations, 2013, candidates who are not satisfied with the grade awarded to them in any of the subjects for which they sat, may request a review of their examination scripts by a reviewer appointed by the MATSEC Board, within the period specified by the MATSEC Board and against a fee as determined by the University.

(2)Following the review of the examination scripts, the candidate’s result may be confirmed or upgraded. The revised result shall be final. Certificates. Amended by: L.N. 247 of 2024. 11.

(1)A certificate showing the level obtained in each subject, together with the criteria for the award of the level as laid down in paragraph

(2)of regulation 7, shall be issued once only to candidates who obtain Levels 1, 2 and 3. The certificate shall also show the attainment mark of Paper I and the grade obtained in the Paper II in the respective subject/s. In the subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4, the certificate shall also show the attainment mark of the coursework component. SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION [ S.L. 327.696 7

(2)With the exception of all subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4, for subjects being taken privately, the certificate shall show the letters ‘PC’ instead of the Paper I mark.

(3)An authenticated copy of the result may be obtained from MATSEC against a fee as determined by the University.

1. The conduct of the examination will be regulated by the MATSEC Examinations Candidate Guidebook, in force at the time, as approved by the MATSEC Examinations Board and Senate, as well as The Conduct of the Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate Examinations Regulations, 2013, published as Legal Notice 132 of 2013 and any statutory or regulatory provisions consolidating, amending, substituting, replacing, supplementing or interpreting Legal Notice 132 of
2. Conduct during the Examination. 13.

(1)School-based assessment is any type of assessment of a candidate made by the school relevant to the respective Secondary Education Certificate syllabus that contributes to the final level awarded in the subject. School-Based assessment. Amended by: L.N. 247 of 2024.

(2)The attainment of school-based assessment shall only be accepted from schools approved by the MATSEC Board.

(3)The school-based assessment shall be marked out of 100 each year (9, 10 and 11). The assessment for each year will contribute to 10% of the overall mark and will be reported to MATSEC by the school in Year 11. Therefore, each year will equally contribute to the final mark of the school-based assessment.

(4)The school-based assessment shall reflect the MATSEC syllabus covered in Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11.

(5)With the exception of all subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4, school-based assessments shall be set at either levels 1-2 only or levels 1-2-3. The highest level shall have a larger allocation of marks.

(6)In all subjects marked with an asterisk in paragraph

(1)of regulation 4, school-based assessments shall be set at levels 1-2-3 and shall assess the set criteria.

(7)The school-based assessment results awarded by the candidates’ schools and the respective level at which this was set must reach MATSEC by the date specified by the MATSEC Board.

(8)School-based assessment results shall be retained for the Supplementary Session.

(9)School-based assessment results may be retained for not more than five subsequent years from the Examination it was submitted for, unless the respective syllabus states that the set 8 [ S.L. 327.696 SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION school-based is no longer valid. Candidates are to make a formal request to MATSEC should they wish to retain their school-based assessment mark for subsequent sessions.

(10)Private candidates are not expected to present schoolbased assessment. Private candidates shall sit for another controlled paper to make up for the school-based assessment component . Coursework. Added by: L.N. 247 of 2024. Amended by: L.N. 246 of 2025. 14.

(1)Marks obtained in the oral component of an examination during the Main Session shall be retained for the Supplementary Session.

(2)Coursework shall only be accepted if the coursework is designed and marked as per MATSEC syllabi and regulations. Fair marking necessitates the use of marking schemes.

(3)A Supplementary Session in the oral component shall be made available to all candidates who are marked absent for a justified reason in the Main Session of the oral examination, provided that they are either covered by a medical certificate indicating that the examination by the medical professional was not done later than the day of the assessment and submitted to MATSEC on the day of the missed examination or they are absent for a reason deemed valid by the MATSEC Board. Candidates who are absent for the oral examination in the Main Session without a valid reason shall not be awarded any marks and shall not be entitled to a supplementary oral examination.

(4)Coursework shall be marked out of 60 marks each year (Years 9, 10 and 11). The assessment for each year shall contribute 10% to the overall mark and shall be reported to the MATSEC Board by the school in Year 11. Therefore, each year shall equally contribute to the final mark of the coursework component.

(5)Coursework must be available for moderation as instructed by MATSEC.

(6)Candidates may be called for an interview relating to their coursework.

(7)The coursework assessment results awarded by the candidates’ schools must reach the MATSEC Board by the date specified by the Board.

(8)Coursework assessment results may be retained for five subsequent sessions of the Examination unless the respective syllabus states that the set coursework is no longer valid.

(9)Private candidates shall not be allowed to submit coursework. SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION [ S.L. 327.696 15.

(1)Marks obtained in the oral and aural components of an examination during the Main Session shall be retained for the Supplementary Session.

(2)Candidates who re-sit an examination in subsequent years shall be required to re-take the oral and aural components of that examination. 9 Oral/Aural Components of the Examinations. Renumbered / Amended by: L.N. 247 of 2024.

(3)A Supplementary Session for the oral/aural components shall be made available to candidates who are marked absent for a justified reason in the Main Session of the oral/aural examination, provided that they are either covered by a medical certificate indicating that the examination by the medical professional was not done later than the day of the assessment and submitted to MATSEC on the day of the missed examination or they are absent for a reason deemed valid by the MATSEC Board. Candidates who are absent for the oral/ aural examination in the Main Session without a valid reason shall not be awarded any marks and shall not be entitled to a supplementary oral/ aural examination.. 16.

(1)No texts or dictionaries are permitted in the examination room unless specifically indicated in the syllabus.

(2)The use of non-programmable, non-graphical electronic calculators is permitted unless otherwise specified in the related syllabi. Calculators or devices that can connect to the internet are not allowed. Examination Materials. Renumbered / Amended by: L.N. 247 of 2024.

(3)Scientific and mathematical formulae shall be provided by the MATSEC Board where appropriate.

(4)All work submitted in connection with the Examination, including any written work, shall remain the property of the MATSEC Board, but may be returned to the candidates at the MATSEC Board’s discretion. 17.

(1)Candidates with special needs may be given the option to be exempted from being examined in a particular component of the examination, such as an oral or a practical examination. When candidates accept the option and their mark is prorated to compensate for the missing component, their certificate shall be endorsed as follows: ‘Special arrangements were made to enable the candidates to be assessed in this subject. Details may be obtained from the Executive Director.’

(2)Such certificates shall only be issued as a last resort when ways cannot be found of supporting candidates with special needs to satisfy examination requirements.

(3)Applications requesting special arrangements shall be Candidates with Special Needs. Renumbered by: L.N. 247 of

1. 10 [ S.L. 327.696 SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATION made on the appropriate form, within the date stipulated by the MATSEC Board, and must be endorsed by the Head of the candidates’ school and supported by appropriate medical or other professional evidence issued within the two years previous to the examination. Quality of Language. Renumbered by: L.N. 247 of
3. Candidates are expected to bear in mind the necessity for clarity of expression and orderly presentation in their examination answers. Language of Examination. Renumbered by: L.N. 247 of
5. The language/s in which the questions are set shall be indicated in the syllabus of each subject. Candidates are required to answer in the language the questions are set, unless otherwise specified in the examination paper. Repeal. Renumbered by: L.N. 247 of
7. The Secondary Education Certificate Examination Regulations, 2014, published as Legal Notice 389 of 2014, shall be deemed to cease to be in force as from 31st December 2024.