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Exam Review

Key Facts: MATSEC SEC Social Studies Exam

SEC 27

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 27 2026 scheme of assessment

100

Free practice MCQs on this page (study adaptation)

OpenExamPrep

MATSEC SEC Social Studies (SEC 27) is a Malta MATSEC Secondary Education Certificate subject under the 2026 syllabus. Results report Levels 1–3 (and controlled grades 1–8 where used). 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 Social Studies Practice Questions

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

1In sociology, culture is best defined as:
A.Only the fine arts produced by elite groups
B.The shared way of life of a group, including beliefs, values, norms, language and material products
C.A fixed set of biological instincts that never change
D.The legal system of a nation-state alone
Explanation: Culture is the socially transmitted way of life of a group: beliefs, values, norms, language, symbols and material products. It is learned, shared and changeable, not limited to elite arts or biology.
2Multiculturalism in society generally means:
A.Forcing all groups to abandon their traditions
B.Recognising and valuing cultural diversity within a society, often with policies that support peaceful coexistence
C.Separating every cultural group so they never interact
D.Allowing only one official culture to exist
Explanation: Multiculturalism involves acknowledging cultural diversity and supporting coexistence and inclusion of different cultural groups within one society. It does not require total assimilation or permanent segregation.
3A subculture is best described as:
A.A group that shares some of the wider culture’s features but also has distinctive values, styles or practices of its own
B.Any foreign tourist visiting a country for one day
C.The complete absence of any norms in a society
D.A biological race with unique DNA only
Explanation: A subculture participates in the wider society yet develops distinctive norms, values, symbols or lifestyles (e.g. youth music scenes, occupational groups). It is a social, not purely biological, category.
4Socialisation is the process by which:
A.People are born with fully formed adult personalities
B.Individuals learn the norms, values, language and skills needed to participate in society
C.Governments collect taxes from citizens
D.Natural disasters reshape coastlines
Explanation: Socialisation is lifelong learning of culture through interaction: norms, values, roles and skills. Without it, individuals struggle to function as social beings.
5According to G.H. Mead’s interactionist tradition and the looking-glass self idea associated with Cooley, the self develops mainly because:
A.People’s sense of self develops from how they imagine others see and judge them
B.The self is fully formed at birth and never changes
C.Only written laws create identity
D.Self-esteem is determined solely by income
Explanation: The looking-glass self holds that we form self-images by imagining how others perceive and evaluate us, then responding emotionally. Interaction shapes identity over time.
6In Mead’s theory of the self, the ‘I’ and the ‘me’ refer to:
A.Two different countries
B.The spontaneous, creative aspect of the self (‘I’) and the socialised, organised attitudes of others internalised as the ‘me’
C.Only childhood and only old age
D.Genetic and environmental DNA strands
Explanation: Mead distinguishes the ‘I’ (spontaneous, active response) from the ‘me’ (internalised social expectations). Together they form the social self through interaction.
7Primary socialisation typically occurs mainly through:
A.The family and early caregivers in childhood
B.Only the stock market
C.International courts of justice alone
D.Random strangers on a single bus ride
Explanation: Primary socialisation is the early, foundational learning of language, norms and basic values, mainly in the family. Secondary socialisation continues later via school, peers, media and work.
8Resocialisation means:
A.Learning a completely new set of norms and values, often when entering a new role or institution
B.Never changing any habit after age five
C.Memorising only mathematical formulas
D.Ignoring all social rules permanently
Explanation: Resocialisation involves unlearning previous patterns and adopting new norms (e.g. military training, religious conversion, major life transitions). It shows socialisation is lifelong.
9Which list correctly names major agents of socialisation?
A.Family, school, peer group, religion, mass media and the workplace
B.Only volcanoes and earthquakes
C.Only private bank vaults
D.Only blood type and eye colour
Explanation: Agents of socialisation are people and institutions that transmit culture: family, education, peers, religion, media/social media, political parties and workplaces. Biology alone does not socialise.
10A social stereotype is:
A.A detailed, evidence-based life history of one person
B.An oversimplified, often fixed generalisation about a whole group of people
C.A scientific census table with no interpretation
D.A legally binding international treaty
Explanation: Stereotypes reduce complex groups to simple, often inaccurate labels. They can shape prejudice, discrimination and self-esteem when people internalise others’ judgements.

About the MATSEC SEC Social Studies Exam

Malta Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) Social Studies — SEC 27 (2026) is administered by the MATSEC Examinations Board (University of Malta). Assessment follows the official SEC 27 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.

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 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 / 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

The self, culture and identity

The self, culture and identity

Core

Human ecology and demography

Human ecology and demography

Core

Social groups and institutions (family, education, religion, economy, leisure and health)

Social groups and institutions (family, education, religion, economy, leisure and health)

Core

Stratification, power and social exclusion

Stratification, power and social exclusion

Core

Youth, the media and social change

Youth, the media and social change

Core

Crime, deviance and delinquency

Crime, deviance and delinquency

Core

Politics and the state

Politics and the state

Preparing for the MATSEC SEC Social Studies 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 / 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 Social Studies: Suggested Study Strategy

1Work from the official SEC 27 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 Social Studies?

Malta Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) Social Studies — SEC 27 (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 Social Studies 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 Social Studies uses written, oral, practical, performance and/or school-based components as set in the SEC 27 syllabus—not a fixed multiple-choice paper. This bank is an original English-language MCQ study adaptation for syllabus knowledge and decision practice only.