Pack a blue or black ballpoint pen and a sharp 2B pencil, then use the instrument specified for each part of your SEC paper. Check the front cover and the answer sheet before you start.
For GCE examinations, SEAB recommended blue or black ballpoint pen for written answers and a sharp 2B pencil for diagrams or shading a Personalised Multiple Choice Answer Sheet. The SEC instructions for your paper govern what to use.
- Read the instructions on the question paper and answer sheet.
- Keep the ballpoint pen ready for written answers.
- Use the required pencil for diagrams or shading when directed.
How to switch between written and shaded answers
Check where each response belongs. If the paper gives you a separate multiple-choice sheet, match the question number to the answer row before shading. For a written response, use the designated answer space. If a paper also has a diagram, follow any instructions for the diagram and its labels.
How to make a correction
SEAB’s GCE guidance recommended crossing out an incorrect written answer neatly and rewriting it. For a shaded answer, follow the sheet’s instructions on erasing and marking your choice. If you are unsure what to do after making a mark, raise your hand and ask the invigilator.
Frequently asked questions
Must my ballpoint have a 0.5 mm tip?
SEAB’s FAQ gives a 0.5 mm recommendation for PSLE. Its GCE section specifies blue or black ballpoint pen without that tip size. Check the SEC paper instructions.
Should I write a whole paper in pencil?
Check the instructions for that paper. Under the GCE recommendations, the pencil was for shading and diagrams.