CONDUCT OF THE MATRICULATION AND SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS REGULATIONS

SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION 327.66

CONDUCT OF THE MATRICULATION AND

SECONDARY EDUCATION CERTIFICATE

EXAMINATIONS REGULATIONS

30th April, 2013

LEGAL NOTICE 132 of 2013, as amended by Legal Notice 160 of 2015,

85 of 2017, 386 of 2021, 325 of 2022 and 5 of 2025.

The title of these regulations is the Conduct of the

Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate Examination

Regulations.

(1) These regulations shall apply to the Matriculation

Examination at the Advanced and Intermediate Levels and to the

Secondary Education Certificate Examination offered by the

Matriculation and Secondary Education Certificate Examinations

Board (MATSEC Board), as provided in Statute 4 of the University

of Malta. These regulations shall apply for examinations held from

1 March 2017 onwards.

(2) In addition to these regulations, the Matriculation

Examinations Regulations and the Secondary Education Certificate

Examinations Regulations shall apply.

(1) Each subject or group of subjects offered within the

Matriculation Examination at Advanced and Intermediate Levels

and the Secondary Education Certificate Examination shall have

(a) a Syllabus Panel, appointed for a period of two years;

(b) a Paper Setters’ Panel, appointed for a period of one

year; and

(c) a Markers’ Panel, appointed for a period of one year.

(2) The appointment of persons on these panels may be

renewed.

The composition of each of the panels shall be as follows

(1) Syllabus Panels: The members on the Syllabus Panel are

chosen for the expertise they can offer and after consultation with

the bodies concerned. In exceptional circumstances, an advisor may

be appointed. One of the members shall take the chair.

(a) In the case of the Secondary Education Certificate

Examination

(i)

a Syllabus Panel shall be composed of

representatives from the academic staff of the

University, the competent Directorate of the

Ministry responsible for Education, the Malta

College of Arts, Science and Technology

(MCAST), the Institute for Tourism Studies

(ITS), the Church Schools’ Association and the

Independent

Schools

Association,

as

appropriate;

(ii) the number of academic staff of the University

shall, as far as possible, not exceed half the total

number of members of the panels; and

(iii) the number of Syllabus Panels chaired by

members of the academic staff of the University

shall not exceed half the number of panels.

(b) In the case of the Matriculation Examination a Syllabus

Panel for subjects at Advanced and Intermediate Levels

shall be composed of representatives from the academic

staff of the University, the G.F Abela Junior College, the

competent Directorate of the Ministry responsible for

Education, the Church Schools’ Association and the

Independent Schools Association. The chairperson of the

syllabus panel will be chosen by the MATSEC Board after

consultation with the head of the University of Malta

Department where the subject is taught, where applicable.

(c) All Syllabus Panels shall be appointed by Senate on

the recommendation of the MATSEC Board.

(2) Paper Setters’ Panels: A Paper Setters’ Panel shall be

composed of at least two members, one of whom shall take the

chairperson. The panel shall be appointed by the Senate of the

University on the recommendation of the MATSEC Board.

(3) Markers’ Panels: A Markers’ Panel shall be composed of at

least two members. The panel will be chaired by the Paper Setters’

chairperson. The panel shall be appointed by the Senate of the

University on the recommendation of the MATSEC Board

(1) Syllabus Panel: A Syllabus Panel shall be responsible

for the drawing up of a syllabus in the subject/s for which it is

appointed. Such a syllabus shall be submitted for approval to the

M AT S E C B o a r d a n d S e n a t e . I n t h e c a s e o f t h e S e c o n d a r y

Education Certificate it shall be published at least three years

before the date of the examination to which it refers. In the case of

the Matriculation Examination, it shall be published at least two

years before the date of the examination to which it refers.

(2)

Paper Setters’ Panel

(a) A Paper Setters’ Panel shall be responsible for the

preparation of the examination papers, a mark scheme

in the subject, and other supporting documentation

requested by the MATSEC Board, for each session of

the examination. The examination papers must meet

the requirements and assessment objectives and must

cover the subject content specified in the syllabus. The

examination papers must be submitted to the MATSEC

for printing by not later than the date established by

the MATSEC Board.

(b) In the case of subjects marked with an asterisk in

regulation 4(1) of the Secondary Education Certificate

Examination Regulations, the Paper Setters’ Panel

shall set the controlled assessments and the synoptic

tests as specified in the syllabi. These assessments

must be submitted to the MATSEC for printing by not

later than the date established by the MATSEC Board.

(3) Markers’ Panel: Members of any Markers’ Panel shall be

responsible for the marking of the examination scripts allotted to

them by the person chairing the panel, according to the mark

scheme agreed to by the Paper Setters’ Panel. The person chairing

the panel shall not mark any scripts but shall read a representative

sample and shall act as moderator to ensure that all the markers are

adhering to the same standards. The Markers’ Panels shall take into

account the moderated school based assessment, oral examinations

and other forms of assessment as provided for by the syllabus.

Members of the Markers’ Panel may be designated moderators, and

may form part of the interviewing panel of the school based

assessment.

(1) Members of Paper Setters’ Panels shall not be eligible

to take part in the workings of a panel for a particular session of

examinations if

(a) they are related to a candidate by consanguinity or by

affinity to the third degree inclusive; or

(b) they have been, at any time during the twelve months

before the examination concerned, guardians of a

candidate; or

(c) they have been, at any time during the twelve months

before the examination concerned, teachers of any of

the candidates in the subject and level of examination

or a closely related subject; or

(d) they have given, at any time during the twelve months

before the examination concerned, private tuition in

the subject and level of examination or a closely

related subject; or

(e) they are related to the first degree to any person who

teaches candidates taking the subject at that level.

(2) Members of Markers’ Panels shall not be eligible to take

part in the workings of a panel for a particular session of

examinations if

(a) they are related to a candidate by consanguinity or by

affinity to the third degree inclusive; or

(b) they have been, at any time during the twelve months

before the examination concerned, guardians of a

candidate; or

(c) they have given, at any time during the twelve months

before the examination concerned, private tuition in

the subject and level of examination or a closely

related subject.

(3) Members of Paper Setters’ and Paper Markers’ Panels shall

not be eligible to participate in either Panel if they are in a dual

relationship with a candidate sitting for an examination in which

they are involved. Dual relationship means that a member of one of

these Panels is at the same time in a relationship with a candidate or

with a person closely associated with or related to a candidate

sitting for an examination.

(4)

(a) Members of Paper Setters’ and Markers’ Panels shall

be required to declare that they are not disqualified

from taking part in the workings of the panel under any

of the foregoing provisions of this regulation.

(b) The MATSEC Board shall consider the declarations

received and reserves the right to preclude the

nominee from acting as a paper setter and/or marker.

(5) The MATSEC Board, after consultation with the person

chairing the panel, shall advise the Rector to appoint another paper

setter or marker in place of a member who is disqualified as

aforesaid.

(6) Where the member to be replaced is the person chairing the

panel, the MATSEC Board shall advise the Rector to appoint a

paper setter or marker already on the panel to assume that role and

such substitute members as may be necessary.

(1)

Syllabus Panels

(a) The Chairperson of the Syllabus Panel is to call

meetings of the panel and to inform the Principal

Subject Area Officer concerned, who will normally

attend panel meetings.

(b) One of the members of the panel is to be appointed to

keep the Minutes. These should record decisions only

and should be forwarded to the Principal Subject Area

Officer within fifteen days of the meeting. Copies of

the Minutes will be kept at the MATSEC.

(c) The Minutes should record attendance. The

Chairperson should inform the MATSEC Board about

members who are habitually absent so that

replacements could be sought as soon as possible.

With the permission of the MATSEC Board, it may be

possible to co-opt an advisor for specific meetings or

for a series of meetings. Co-opted members will not

have voting rights and they do not qualify for an

honorarium.

(2)

Paper Setters’ and Markers’ Panels

(a) The Paper Setters’ and Markers’ Panels shall

determine the procedures to be adopted by them within

the guidelines and parameters established by the

MATSEC Board.

(b) Members of the Paper Setters’ and Markers’ Panels

shall treat as confidential everything connected with

the proceedings of their work. They shall take all

necessary precautions to prevent leakage of

information on the question papers, mark schemes and

examination scripts to third parties.

(c) Members of a Markers’ Panel marking the same part of

the examination shall be required to attend a

Standardising Meeting to ensure harmonisation and

consistency in marking. The chairperson shall call

such a meeting soon after the examination and before

marking begins.

(d) Members of Markers’ Panels must finish their work by

the date specified by the member chairing the Panel

within the time frame established by the MATSEC. In

the event of illness or other emergencies, the MATSEC

must be informed so that alternative arrangements can

be made.

(e) The members of a Markers’ Panel shall prepare a brief

report on the performance of the candidates whose

scripts they have marked, immediately after they have

completed their marking. These reports shall be

submitted to the member chairing the Panel who will

take them into account when compiling a report on the

examinations held during a year for submission to the

MATSEC Board for publication. The report shall seek

to present a balanced picture and shall include such

comments as will be of value and interest to teachers

in the subject.

The assessment of subjects marked with an asterisk in the

Secondary Education Certificate Examination Regulations 2014

shall be subject to verification.

(a) For each of these subjects an External Verifier shall be

appointed by Senate, on the recommendation of the

MATSEC Board.

(b) The role of the External Verifier is to ensure that the

planning, delivery and assessment of the programme

meets the standard expected by the MATSEC Board.

The External Verifier shall also make suggestions

about the improvement of quality as necessary.

(c) Internal Verifiers, appointed by the schools

responsible for students taking the subject, shall verify

that the assignments set by the teachers meet the

required standards and that their assessment decisions

are fair and consistent. The External Verifier shall

monitor and report on the internal verification.

(d) The External Verifier shall chair the Paper Setters’ and

Markers’ Panel for these subjects. These Panels shall

be responsible for setting the controlled assessments

and the setting and marking of the synoptic tests for

each Unit as specified in the syllabus.

(e) The External Verifier shall moderate the results of the

controlled assessments and the synoptic tests.

Members of subject panels shall be entitled

to

remuneration, as established by the Council of the University.

10.(1) (a) Candidates who are not satisfied that the grade

awarded to them in any subject represents their performance during

an examination may request a revision of their examination papers.

(b) In the case of subjects marked with an asterisk in

regulation 4(1) of the Secondary Education Certificate

Examinations Regulations, candidates who are not satisfied with

the mark awarded to them for a Unit may request a revision of their

assignments and controlled assessment.

(2) Such requests must be made to the MATSEC, in line with

the instructions provided and within the period indicated in a notice

issued soon after the publication of the results. Requests shall be

registered after the payment of the established fee/s. In cases where

the revised results are an upgrade, the fee paid shall be refunded to

the candidate.

(3) The revision of results shall be made by the original

Markers’ Panel together with a Reviser.

(4) The following procedure shall be followed in the revision

of results

(a) a Reviser shall be appointed by Senate;

(b) the Reviser shall be provided with the mark scheme for

the assessment and shall go over the relevant script/s

and if s/he agrees that the mark awarded is justified s/

he shall confirm the mark to the chairperson of the

Markers’ Panel;

(c) if the Reviser feels that the mark should be changed, s/

he shall inform the chairperson of the Markers’ Panel.

If the recommendation of the Reviser results in an

upgrade, the chairperson may call a meeting with the

Reviser and, where applicable, the marker/s of that

part of the assessment which is in question to reach

consensus on the mark to be given. If no consensus is

reached, a vote shall be taken by the aforementioned

persons; and

(d) in every case where a revision of results is requested,

the Reviser shall draw up a brief report, a copy of

which shall be sent to the candidate.

(1) Cases of cheating, attempting to cheat, attempting to take

unfair advantage during an examination in any other way, the

introduction of unauthorised material in the examination room and

reported cases of misconduct shall be investigated by a Disciplinary

Committee appointed by Senate.

(2) The Disciplinary Committee shall consist of the Chairperson of

the MATSEC Examinations Board, the Director of the MATSEC, the

Principal Subject Area Officer responsible for the subject in which the

irregularity took place, a member appointed by the MATSEC Board,

and the Chairperson of the Markers’ Panel of the examination as

appropriate.

(3) The Disciplinary Committee shall impose penalties in

cases where it is established that a breach of the regulations has

been committed.

(4) Penalties shall differ in severity depending on the extent

and nature of the breach of these regulations as ascertained by the

Disciplinary Committee, previous instances of misconduct by the

candidate, and any extenuating circumstances.

(5) The Disciplinary Committee may apply a penalty as it

deems appropriate. The Disciplinary Committee may

(a) reprimand the candidate and issue a warning to the

candidate about more severe penalties if any future

breach of regulations is committed;

(b) issue a warning and lower the result of the

examination in the subject;

(c) issue a warning and assign a failing grade in the

subject;

(d) cancel the results of all the examinations which the

candidate sat for in the particular session when the

irregularity took place;

(e) require the candidate to pay for, or otherwise make

good for, any damage/s caused, or other costs incurred

by the MATSEC Board as a direct consequence of the

misconduct;

(f)

temporarily suspend the candidate from sitting for any

examinations with the MATSEC Board for a definite

period of time;

(g) reserve the right to nullify previously awarded

certificate/s;

(h) cancel the results of all and/or any of the examinations

which the candidate sat for in any preceding session,

provided that this sanction shall be applied only when

the Disciplinary Committee deems it in the interests of

justice to do so; and

(i)

adopt any combination of the penalties defined above.

(6) A record of all meetings held by the Disciplinary

Committee and the penalties applied as a result of these meetings

shall be kept by the MATSEC Board.

(7) Any candidate whose conduct during an examination is

being investigated shall be informed in writing about the nature of

the allegation and invited to attend the meeting of the Disciplinary

C o m m i t te e w h e n h i s / h e r c a s e i s d is c u s s e d . I n ca s e s w h e r e

candidates are minors, the parents/guardians shall also be informed.

The candidate may be accompanied by a representative of his

choice. If the candidate is accompanied by a legal adviser, the role

of the legal adviser shall be to provide the candidate with support

and not legal representation. The candidate shall be responsible for

all arrangements involving the legal adviser. In such case, the other

parties must be informed beforehand.

(8) The Disciplinary Committee has the power to summon

persons for the purpose of giving evidence at any meeting.

(9) Should a candidate fail to attend the meeting of the

Disciplinary Committee, the Disciplinary Committee may proceed

in his/her absence provided that candidates who fail to appear

before the Disciplinary Committee shall be deemed to have

renounced the right to be heard.

(10) The candidate shall be allowed to sit for any other

examination s/he registered for during that same session of

examinations.

(11) The issuing of a candidate’s results may be suspended until

a decision is taken by the Disciplinary Committee.

(12) The Disciplinary Committee may, in special circumstances,

reconsider its decision either on its own motion or following a

request to that effect by the candidate concerned, provided that, for

the purpose of this regulation, ‘special circumstances’ means only

when new (fresh) evidence is available which could not have been

provided earlier to the Disciplinary Committee when the case was

being heard and/or was not available then.

(13) Before reconsidering the case, the Disciplinary Committee

shall first determine whether such evidence is new evidence which

could not have been provided earlier to the Disciplinary Committee

when the case was being heard and/or was not available then.

(14) A request for reconsideration may be made by the

candidate in writing to the Chairperson of the MATSEC Board by

not later than fifteen days from the date of notification of the

Disciplinary Committee’s decision.

(15) Where the Disciplinary Committee decides to reconsider

its decision, it shall inform the candidate accordingly of the new

(fresh) evidence it may have received and it shall allow the

candidate the opportunity to rebut such new (fresh) evidence.

(1) Candidates shall collect their coursework material

(projects, reports and other work) presented for assessment from

the MATSEC in line with instructions given by the Unit. Written

scripts and practical work carried out within the formal

examination shall be retained by the MATSEC Board.

(2) The MATSEC reserves the right to dispose of any

uncollected coursework as it deems fit.