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Key Facts: MATSEC SEC Mathematics Exam

SEC 23

Official MATSEC subject code

MATSEC 2026 syllabi catalogue

30% + 70%

Paper I (SBA) + Paper II (controlled) weighting for school candidates

SEC Regulations / Assessment Code of Practice

Levels 1–3

Overall SEC attainment levels reported

SEC Regulations 2025

Grades 1–8

Paper II grade scale (1 highest)

SEC Regulations 2025

EUR 35

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

MATSEC Examination Fees document

2 hours

Typical Paper II controlled written duration (most subjects)

SEC 23 2026 scheme of assessment

100

Free practice MCQs on this page (study adaptation)

OpenExamPrep

MATSEC SEC Mathematics (SEC 23) is a Malta MATSEC Secondary Education Certificate subject assessed mainly via Paper I SBA (30%) and Paper II controlled assessment (70%; typically 2 hours / 100 marks). Results report Levels 1–3 and Paper II grades 1–8. The 100 questions on this page are an English-language MCQ study adaptation of the 2026 syllabus, not an official MATSEC paper simulation.

Sample MATSEC SEC Mathematics Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the MATSEC SEC Mathematics exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following is a prime number?
A.51
B.57
C.59
D.63
Explanation: A prime number has exactly two distinct positive factors: 1 and itself. 59 is not divisible by 2, 3, 5 or 7, so it is prime.
2What is the highest common factor (HCF) of 36 and 48?
A.6
B.12
C.18
D.24
Explanation: Prime factors: 36 = 2² × 3² and 48 = 2⁴ × 3. The HCF takes the lowest powers of shared primes: 2² × 3 = 12.
3What is the least common multiple (LCM) of 8, 12 and 18?
A.36
B.48
C.72
D.144
Explanation: 8 = 2³, 12 = 2² × 3, 18 = 2 × 3². LCM uses highest powers: 2³ × 3² = 8 × 9 = 72.
4Express 0.00042 in standard form.
A.4.2 × 10⁻³
B.4.2 × 10⁻⁴
C.42 × 10⁻⁵
D.4.2 × 10⁴
Explanation: Standard form is a × 10ⁿ with 1 ≤ |a| < 10. Moving the decimal point 4 places right from 0.00042 gives 4.2, so 4.2 × 10⁻⁴.
5Which number is equal to 3/8?
A.0.35
B.0.375
C.0.38
D.0.4
Explanation: Divide numerator by denominator: 3 ÷ 8 = 0.375 exactly. Therefore 3/8 equals the terminating decimal 0.375. This is a standard fraction–decimal conversion used throughout SEC number work.
6Write 2 × 2 × 2 × 3 × 3 × 5 as a product of powers.
A.2³ × 3² × 5
B.2 × 3 × 5
C.6 × 9 × 5
D.2⁶ × 3 × 5
Explanation: There are three factors of 2, two of 3 and one of 5, so the product is 2³ × 3² × 5.
7What is the reciprocal of 2/5?
A.2/5
B.5/2
C.−2/5
D.0.4
Explanation: The reciprocal of a/b is b/a (a ≠ 0). So the reciprocal of 2/5 is 5/2, and (2/5)×(5/2) = 1.
8Using prime factorisation, find √3600.
A.30
B.45
C.60
D.90
Explanation: 3600 = 2⁴ × 3² × 5². Taking the square root gives 2² × 3 × 5 = 4 × 3 × 5 = 60.
9Which inequality correctly orders the numbers 0.72, 3/4 and 71%?
A.71% < 0.72 < 3/4
B.0.72 < 71% < 3/4
C.3/4 < 0.72 < 71%
D.71% < 3/4 < 0.72
Explanation: Convert all to decimals: 71% = 0.71, 0.72 stays 0.72, and 3/4 = 0.75. Therefore 0.71 < 0.72 < 0.75, i.e. 71% < 0.72 < 3/4.
10Find the HCF of 84, 126 and 210 using prime factorisation.
A.14
B.21
C.42
D.84
Explanation: 84 = 2² × 3 × 7, 126 = 2 × 3² × 7, 210 = 2 × 3 × 5 × 7. Shared primes at lowest powers: 2 × 3 × 7 = 42.

About the MATSEC SEC Mathematics Exam

Malta Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) Mathematics — SEC 23 (2026) is administered by the MATSEC Examinations Board (University of Malta). Assessment follows the national SEC model: Paper I school-based assessment (30% for school candidates) and Paper II MATSEC-controlled assessment (70%), reporting overall Levels 1–3 and Paper II grades 1–8. Topic coverage follows the official 2026 subject foci in the SEC 23 syllabus. Paper language as indicated in the SEC 23 syllabus.

Exam sponsor: MATSEC Examinations Board, University of Malta. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

School candidates: Paper I SBA (30%) + Paper II controlled written paper (70%; 100 marks; 2 hours). Mathematics uniquely offers three Paper II tiers: Level 1–2, Level 2–3 and Level 3–3*. Private candidates: controlled Paper I + Paper II at the chosen tier. Formulae booklet provided as appropriate.

Time Limit

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

Passing Score

Overall SEC Level 1, 2 or 3 from Paper I + Paper II cumulative performance; Paper II graded 1-8 (Grade 1 highest). Grade 5 is described as the minimum level acceptable for further studies in the subject (SEC Regulations 2025).

Exam / Certification Fees

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.

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: Not published as a single national percentage by MATSEC. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Core

Number – the number system

Number – the number system

Core

Number – numerical calculations

Number – numerical calculations

Core

Algebra – fundamentals of algebra

Algebra – fundamentals of algebra

Core

Algebra – graphs

Algebra – graphs

Core

Shape, Space and Measure – measurement

Shape, Space and Measure – measurement

Core

Shape, Space and Measure – lines, angles and shapes

Shape, Space and Measure – lines, angles and shapes

Core

Shape, Space and Measure – constructions and loci

Shape, Space and Measure – constructions and loci

Core

Shape, Space and Measure – transformations

Shape, Space and Measure – transformations

Core

Data Handling and Chance – statistics

Data Handling and Chance – statistics

Core

Data Handling and Chance – probability

Data Handling and Chance – probability

Preparing for the MATSEC SEC Mathematics Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Overall SEC Level 1, 2 or 3 from Paper I + Paper II cumulative performance; Paper II graded 1-8 (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 SBA (30%) + Paper II controlled written paper (70%; 100 marks; 2 hours). Mathematics uniquely offers three Paper II tiers: Level 1–2, Level 2–3 and Level 3–3*. Private candidates: controlled Paper I + Paper II at the chosen tier. Formulae booklet provided as appropriate.
  • Time limit: Paper II controlled written examination: 2 hours (100 marks).
  • Exam / certification fees: 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. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

MATSEC SEC Mathematics: Suggested Study Strategy

1Work from the official SEC 23 2026 syllabus learning outcomes and assessment criteria on um.edu.mt/matsec — examiners mark to those criteria.
2Practise timed Paper II-style structured answers (not only MCQ); school SBA evidence still counts 30% for school candidates.
3Choose the correct Paper II tier (Level 1–2 vs 2–3; Mathematics also offers 3–3*) 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, coursework), schedule deliberate practice outside this bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MATSEC SEC Mathematics?

Malta Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) Mathematics — SEC 23 (2026) is a Secondary Education Certificate subject administered by the MATSEC Examinations Board at the University of Malta under the 2026 learning-outcomes syllabus (SEC 23). 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 Mathematics assessed?

School candidates: Paper I SBA (30%) + Paper II controlled written paper (70%; 100 marks; 2 hours). Mathematics uniquely offers three Paper II tiers: Level 1–2, Level 2–3 and Level 3–3*. Private candidates: controlled Paper I + Paper II at the chosen tier. Formulae booklet provided as appropriate. Overall Levels 1–3 are reported from cumulative Paper I and Paper II performance; Paper II is graded 1–8.

Are there special registration rules for this subject?

SEC Mathematics Paper II may be taken at Level 1–2, 2–3 or 3–3* (SEC Regulations 2025 reg. 6(7)). Level 2–3 yields grades 4–7; Level 3–3* yields grades 1–5; Level 1–2 yields grades 6–8.

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 Paper II grade?

Overall SEC Level 1, 2 or 3 from Paper I + Paper II cumulative performance; Paper II graded 1-8 (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 Mathematics uses written, oral, practical and/or school-based components as set in the SEC 23 syllabus—not a fixed multiple-choice paper. This bank is an original English-language MCQ study adaptation for syllabus knowledge and decision practice only.