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100+ Free MATSEC SEC Core Science Practice Questions

Prepare for the Malta Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) Core Science — SEC 45 (2026) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: MATSEC SEC Core Science Exam

SEC 45

Official MATSEC subject code

MATSEC 2026 syllabi catalogue

30% + 70%

Typical Paper I/SBA + controlled assessment weighting for school candidates

SEC Regulations / subject syllabus

Levels 1–3

Overall SEC attainment levels reported

SEC Regulations 2025

Grades 1–8

Controlled paper grade scale where used (1 highest)

SEC Regulations 2025

EUR 35

Late registration fee per subject (from 2026 sessions fee schedule)

MATSEC Examination Fees document

Paper II controlled written examination:

Typical controlled written duration (subject-specific; see syllabus)

SEC 45 2026 scheme of assessment

100

Free practice MCQs on this page (study adaptation)

OpenExamPrep

MATSEC SEC Core Science (SEC 45) is a Malta MATSEC Secondary Education Certificate subject under the 2026 syllabus, with Paper I school-based assessment (30%) and a two-hour Paper II controlled written paper (70%) taken at Level 1-2 or Level 2-3. The SEC 45 2026 syllabus states that this subject will no longer be offered for certification after 2026, and SEC 45 does not appear in the published 2027 or 2028 SEC syllabus lists. The 100 questions on this page are an English-language MCQ study adaptation of the official syllabus, not an official MATSEC paper simulation.

Sample MATSEC SEC Core Science Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your MATSEC SEC Core Science exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which statement best describes an element?
A.A substance made of two or more different atoms chemically bonded
B.A pure substance made of only one type of atom
C.A mixture of metals that can be separated by filtration
D.A compound formed when oxygen reacts with a metal
Explanation: An element consists of only one type of atom (for example iron, Fe, or oxygen, O). Compounds contain two or more different elements chemically combined; mixtures can usually be separated by physical methods.
2In the particle model, how do particles in a solid typically behave?
A.They move freely and fill the whole container
B.They are far apart and move randomly at high speed
C.They vibrate about fixed positions in a regular arrangement
D.They have no forces between them and are easily compressed
Explanation: In a solid, particles are closely packed in a regular lattice and vibrate about fixed positions. Liquids can flow; gases fill the container and are easily compressed because particles are far apart.
3Which change of state occurs when a liquid becomes a gas at the liquid’s boiling point?
A.Melting
B.Condensation
C.Boiling (vaporisation)
D.Freezing
Explanation: Boiling (vaporisation at the boiling point) is the change from liquid to gas throughout the bulk of the liquid. Melting is solid to liquid; condensation is gas to liquid; freezing is liquid to solid.
4A sample of pure water melts at 0 °C and boils at 100 °C at standard atmospheric pressure. What does a sharp melting point mainly indicate?
A.The sample is impure
B.The sample is likely pure
C.The sample must be a mixture of salts
D.The sample contains dissolved air only
Explanation: Pure substances typically have sharp, characteristic melting and boiling points. Impurities usually lower and broaden the melting range and raise the boiling point of a solvent such as water.
5Which separation technique is most suitable for recovering pure salt from seawater?
A.Filtration only
B.Chromatography
C.Evaporation or crystallisation
D.Decanting the oil layer
Explanation: Seawater is a solution of salt in water. Evaporating the water (or crystallising by partial evaporation and cooling) leaves solid salt. Filtration removes undissolved solids, not dissolved salt; chromatography separates coloured mixtures of solutes.
6A metal has a mass of 54 g and a volume of 20 cm³. What is its density?
A.0.37 g/cm³
B.2.7 g/cm³
C.74 g/cm³
D.1080 g/cm³
Explanation: Density = mass ÷ volume = 54 g ÷ 20 cm³ = 2.7 g/cm³. Units must be consistent (here mass in grams and volume in cubic centimetres).
7Which property best distinguishes a chemical change from a physical change?
A.The substance changes shape only
B.New substances with different properties are formed
C.The process can always be reversed by simple cooling
D.Particles only change their spacing, never their bonding
Explanation: Chemical changes produce new substances (for example burning magnesium forms magnesium oxide). Physical changes (melting, dissolving without reaction, crushing) alter form or state without making a new chemical species.
8Which particles are transferred when a metal atom forms a positive ion (cation)?
A.Protons
B.Neutrons
C.Electrons
D.Atomic nuclei
Explanation: Metal atoms form cations by losing electrons. Protons and neutrons stay in the nucleus; only electron number changes when an atom becomes an ion of the same element.
9A cube of wood has side length 2.0 cm and mass 3.2 g. Will it float on pure water (density 1.0 g/cm³)?
A.No, because its density is 3.2 g/cm³
B.Yes, because its density is 0.40 g/cm³, less than water
C.Yes, because all woods denser than water still float
D.No, because its density is 6.4 g/cm³
Explanation: Volume of the cube = 2.0 × 2.0 × 2.0 = 8.0 cm³. Density = 3.2 ÷ 8.0 = 0.40 g/cm³, which is less than 1.0 g/cm³, so the wood floats (if it does not become waterlogged).
10What is the solvent in a sugar solution made by dissolving sugar in water?
A.Sugar
B.Water
C.The sugar crystals that settle
D.Air dissolved in the liquid
Explanation: The solvent is the substance that does the dissolving (usually present in greater amount). In sugar water, water is the solvent and sugar is the solute; together they form the solution.

About the MATSEC SEC Core Science Exam

Malta Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) Core Science — SEC 45 (2026) is administered by the MATSEC Examinations Board (University of Malta). Assessment follows the official SEC 45 2026 syllabus scheme: School candidates: Paper I school-based assessment (30%) + Paper II controlled written assessment (70%; typically 100 marks / 2 hours) at Level 1–2 or 2–3. Private candidates: controlled Paper I alternative to SBA + common Paper II. Overall Levels 1–3 reported from cumulative performance. Topic coverage follows the published subject foci / unit learning outcomes. This page’s MCQs are an English-language study adaptation, not an official MATSEC paper simulation.

Assessment

School candidates: Paper I school-based assessment (30%) + Paper II controlled written assessment (70%; typically 100 marks / 2 hours) at Level 1–2 or 2–3. Private candidates: controlled Paper I alternative to SBA + common Paper II. Overall Levels 1–3 reported from cumulative performance.

Time Limit

Paper II controlled written examination: typically 2 hours (100 marks).

Passing Score

Overall SEC Level 1, 2 or 3 from cumulative assessment performance; Paper II / controlled component graded 1–8 where applicable (Grade 1 highest). Grade 5 is described as the minimum level acceptable for further studies in the subject (SEC Regulations 2025).

Exam Fee

The MATSEC Examination Fees schedule applicable from the 2026 sessions publishes no base registration fee per subject; only additional charges are listed — late registration EUR 35 per subject, very late registration EUR 70 per subject, Revision of Paper at SEC EUR 35, and change in school EUR 35. Examination fees are not refundable. (MATSEC Examinations Board, University of Malta)

MATSEC SEC Core Science Exam Content Outline

Core

Matter and materials

Matter and materials

Core

Water and aqueous solutions

Water and aqueous solutions

Core

Motion and forces

Motion and forces

Core

Homeostasis and human body systems

Homeostasis and human body systems

Core

Sexual reproduction and inheritance

Sexual reproduction and inheritance

Core

Energy, sustainability and resources

Energy, sustainability and resources

Core

Electricity and components

Electricity and components

Core

Waves and communication

Waves and communication

Core

Fit and healthy living

Fit and healthy living

Core

Life on Earth / environmental science themes

Life on Earth / environmental science themes

Core

Forensic science applications

Forensic science applications

How to Pass the MATSEC SEC Core Science Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Overall SEC Level 1, 2 or 3 from cumulative assessment performance; Paper II / controlled component graded 1–8 where applicable (Grade 1 highest). Grade 5 is described as the minimum level acceptable for further studies in the subject (SEC Regulations 2025).
  • Assessment: School candidates: Paper I school-based assessment (30%) + Paper II controlled written assessment (70%; typically 100 marks / 2 hours) at Level 1–2 or 2–3. Private candidates: controlled Paper I alternative to SBA + common Paper II. Overall Levels 1–3 reported from cumulative performance.
  • Time limit: Paper II controlled written examination: typically 2 hours (100 marks).
  • Exam fee: The MATSEC Examination Fees schedule applicable from the 2026 sessions publishes no base registration fee per subject; only additional charges are listed — late registration EUR 35 per subject, very late registration EUR 70 per subject, Revision of Paper at SEC EUR 35, and change in school EUR 35. Examination fees are not refundable.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

MATSEC SEC Core Science Study Tips from Top Performers

1Work from the official SEC 45 2026 syllabus learning outcomes and assessment criteria on um.edu.mt/matsec — examiners mark to those criteria.
2Practise timed controlled-assessment style tasks (not only MCQ); school SBA evidence still counts for school candidates where applicable.
3Choose the correct tier or unit path with your teacher before registration closes.
4Use MATSEC past papers and marking schemes for personal study only; commercial reproduction requires MATSEC permission.
5For non-MCQ components (oral, practical, portfolio, performance, coursework), schedule deliberate practice outside this bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MATSEC SEC Core Science?

Malta Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) Core Science — SEC 45 (2026) is a Secondary Education Certificate subject administered by the MATSEC Examinations Board at the University of Malta under the 2026 learning-outcomes syllabus. It is taken mainly by Year 11 / Form V candidates (or private candidates aged 16+ by 31 December of the certification year).

How is MATSEC SEC Core Science assessed?

School candidates: Paper I school-based assessment (30%) + Paper II controlled written assessment (70%; typically 100 marks / 2 hours) at Level 1–2 or 2–3. Private candidates: controlled Paper I alternative to SBA + common Paper II. Overall Levels 1–3 reported from cumulative performance.

How much does MATSEC SEC registration cost?

The MATSEC Examination Fees schedule applicable from the 2026 sessions publishes no base registration fee per subject; only additional charges are listed — late registration EUR 35 per subject, very late registration EUR 70 per subject, Revision of Paper at SEC EUR 35, and change in school EUR 35. Examination fees are not refundable.

What is a good overall SEC result?

Overall SEC Level 1, 2 or 3 from cumulative assessment performance; Paper II / controlled component graded 1–8 where applicable (Grade 1 highest). Grade 5 is described as the minimum level acceptable for further studies in the subject (SEC Regulations 2025).

Are these official MATSEC examination questions?

No. Official MATSEC SEC Core Science uses written, oral, practical, performance and/or school-based components as set in the SEC 45 syllabus—not a fixed multiple-choice paper. This bank is an original English-language MCQ study adaptation for syllabus knowledge and decision practice only.