Leave correction tape and correction fluid out of your exam kit. If you make a mistake in a written SEC answer, keep the final response legible. Subject to the paper’s instructions, a clean strike-through and a clearly written replacement are practical ways to show which answer you mean.
SEAB’s 2026 GCE examination handbook told candidates to avoid correction fluid and tape. It explained that they can affect legibility or damage scripts during scanning. For the 2027 Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC), use the instructions issued for your paper to confirm permitted stationery and how to record changes.
- Check the instructions for the answer space you are using.
- Cross out an unwanted written answer clearly and label its replacement if needed.
- Keep highlights away from your written answer.
- Use the answer sheet’s own correction method for multiple-choice bubbles.
Correct a number without creating two answers
Suppose your working is sound but you copy 3.8 instead of 8.3 into the final line. Draw one clear line through the unwanted value, then rewrite the intended answer where it can be read easily. Include the unit or degree of accuracy required by the question. Writing another number directly over the first can make both harder to read.
If the error began earlier, check where it first changed the calculation. Correct the affected line and the later results that depend on it. Keeping the valid part of the working visible can make the correction easier to follow.
Replace a sentence or longer section
For a sentence, cross out the intended words and write the replacement where it fits. If you need to replace several lines, use the permitted space and label the question or subpart clearly. A fresh response should have a clear beginning, especially when your original answer used the same question number.
Consider a student who starts Question 5(b) with the wrong example. A clearly crossed-out first sentence followed by a complete replacement is easier to follow than an arrow pointing to an unlabeled paragraph. If you run out of authorised space, signal to the invigilator and ask how to continue.
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Distinguish a question prompt from your answer
The 2026 GCE booklet distinguished highlighting question text from highlighting your own answers. It allowed highlighting questions on the provided paper or booklet while advising against highlighting answers. Check the corresponding instructions for your current SEC paper before bringing or using a highlighter.
A highlighter can make a command word easier to find during practice. In an exam, keep your written response legible by using the permitted pen and placing the answer in the correct space. Use the printed or digital instructions for any response format that works differently.
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Check the correction while there is time
Before moving on, read the corrected line once as if you had never seen the working. Check that the question number, intended response and any units are easy to find. If the replacement changes the sign, tense or conclusion, review the immediately following line too.
If you already used correction tape and are worried about the script, signal to an invigilator and follow the instructions given. Avoid scraping the page or making the answer harder to read. Once staff tell you to stop, leave the script as directed.
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Frequently asked questions
Does this apply to an answer bubble?
A printed multiple-choice sheet has its own instructions. The 2026 GCE handbook specified a 2B pencil and soft eraser for its personalised multiple-choice answer sheet.
Can I use a highlighter on my own answer?
The 2026 GCE handbook advised against it because it could affect legibility. Read the instructions for the current SEC paper.
Do I have to rewrite the whole answer?
Correct the portion that changed and any later parts affected by it. Follow the paper’s instructions about where to place a replacement.
What pen should I use?
The 2026 handbook advised clear writing in blue or black ballpoint pen. Use the stationery specified for your current paper.