PNG Written Expression Papers and 2024 Dates

The Grade 10 and 12 students do their Written Expression Examination (WEX) every year in June and August, respectively.

The Written Expression Examination for 2024 is as follows:

• Lower Secondary School Certificate Written Expression (Grade 10): Thursday, June 6, 2024
• Upper Secondary School Certificate Written Expression Exam (Grade 12): Monday, August 5, 2024
• See the national exam dates for Grades 8, 10 and 12

Where to get the Written Expression Exam Papers?

The WEX past exam papers are available in schools. You will have used the past year's paper in your Mock Exam. 

So, in preparation for your Grade 10 (or Grade 12) WEX papers (which is your first proper national examination), you should ask your English and Literature teacher for a copy.

This will help you familiarise yourself with the type of reading materials (scripts)  and format that you are likely to come across in the real exam.

Who sets the Written Expression Examinations?

The Department of Education, through the Measurement Services Division, sets the WEX for Grade 10. 

The Grade 12 WEX is set by an external (English and Literature) subject expert from the University of Goroka.

The Education department depends on provincial education officials and schools to conduct the examinations.  

Students have been encouraged to give their best in honesty and let their talents shine through.

• You can get the Grade 12 Mathematics A (Advanced) and General Maths past exam papers on the PNG Insight Maths website - click here for Maths A and here for General Maths.
• For Grade 10 students, download the past exam papers here.

How do markers mark the Written Expression?

Selected English teachers mark the Grade 10 written expression exam papers in each province. On completion, the provincial examination officer in the province sends the marks to the MSD office in Port Moresby. 

As for the Grade 12 WEX, the MSD selects English and Literature teachers from each province as markers. The markers go to Port Moresby for a week to mark the WEX papers.

They mark the WEX papers in regional groups - Southern, Momase, New Guinea Islands and Highlands.

It is an intensive marking where the papers undergo several checks before the final marks are awarded to each script.

Grade 10 & 12 Written Expression concerns

Provincial authorities and schools have to run a fair and cheat-free written expression examination. 

The education department often encouraged local education authorities to be vigilant and security conscious from the storage in school to the actual completion of the Examination. 

To ensure the smooth running of the examination, the Head Teachers, Principals and Deputies are advised to remain within the school campus during the conduct of all Examinations.

However, many principals, headteachers and deputies tend to leave the school grounds on exam days.

Who ensures cheat-free exams in PNG?

The following provincial education officials and school heads are responsible for a cheat-free and fair Grade 10 and Grade 12 written expression examination, nationwide.

• Provincial Education Advisers, 
• Provincial Examination Supervisors, 
• Senior Secondary Schools’ Inspectors, 
• Guidance Officers, 
• Principals of Secondary Schools
• Head Teachers of all Provincial High Schools.

For the Grade 10 and Grade 12 students sitting the National Written Expression Examinations this year, we wish you 'all the best!'