CELGA 1 (Galician A2) exam-day guide
CELGA 1 (Galician A2) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Confirm the exact exam date, time and venue with your registered centre
CELGA 1 sessions are organised by the authorised centre where you enrol, and schedules vary between calls. Do not rely on memory or on another candidate's message: check the confirmation you received and, if anything is unclear, contact the centre directly before exam day.
Bring the ID document you used at registration
The name and document number must match your enrolment. Which documents are accepted (national ID, passport, residence card) is set by the centre, so confirm the accepted list with the provider in advance. A photocopy or a photo on your phone is normally not enough.
Bring your enrolment receipt or confirmation if the centre requires it
Some centres ask candidates to show proof of registration at the door. This is not uniform, so confirm with the provider whether you need to print it or whether a digital copy is accepted.
Take blue or black pens and a pencil with an eraser
Written answers and multiple-choice sheets may require different instruments. Bring spares; borrowing from other candidates during the test may not be allowed. Confirm with the provider whether correction fluid or erasable pens are permitted.
Check whether a watch is allowed and bring a simple analogue one if so
Phones must normally be switched off and stored away, so you may not be able to check the time. Whether wristwatches are permitted, and whether smartwatches are banned, is a centre rule: confirm with the provider.
Leave your phone and any smart device switched off and out of reach
Having a device accessible during the test can be treated as a serious irregularity. Plan where you will leave it: many centres provide a designated area, but confirm the procedure with the provider.
Review the official CELGA 1 structure and timing from the Xunta de Galicia information pages
Know in advance how many parts the test has, the order of the tasks, and whether listening passages are played once or more than once. Details can change between calls, so read the current official description rather than an old forum post.
Practise with a timer using the official model papers
Time yourself on each part separately so you learn how to distribute minutes between reading, listening, grammar and writing. Do not spend the last days only reading theory; the exam is about performing under time pressure.
Prepare a short written checklist of the writing task requirements
For CELGA 1 writing, note the expected length, the audience, the register and the points that must be covered. Rehearse a structure you can reuse: greeting, purpose, development, closing. Confirm the current task format with the provider.
Plan your journey and arrive early
Aim to be at the venue well before the start time so you can find the room, leave your belongings and settle. Traffic, parking and public transport delays are the most common cause of avoidable stress. The exact arrival window is set by the centre.
Check the centre's rules on food, drink and access during the test
Water, snacks, toilet breaks and medical needs are handled differently depending on the venue. If you have a health condition or need special arrangements, contact the centre as early as possible; accommodation requests usually have a deadline and must be confirmed with the provider.
Read the instructions printed on the paper before writing
Check the number of questions, the marks, and whether wrong answers in multiple-choice sections are penalised. If the paper does not state it clearly, ask the invigilator before the test begins rather than guessing.
Plan the day
Do a full timed mock under exam conditions: no dictionary, no phone, listening played only as the official instructions allow. Mark it honestly and identify the two weakest areas. Spend the remaining days on those two, not on everything.
Re-read the official description of the CELGA 1 tasks for this call. Write a one-page summary of the structure, the time for each part, and the writing requirements. This page is what you will review on the morning of the exam.
Prepare your documents and materials: ID, enrolment confirmation if required, pens, pencil, eraser, watch if permitted. Put them in one bag now so nothing depends on the last morning.
Check the venue location on a map and plan the route and travel time. If the centre has published room or access instructions, note them down.
Do light revision only: review your one-page summary, re-read a few model writing tasks, and listen to short Galician audio to keep your ear tuned. Do not start a new grammar topic.
Rehearse two or three useful writing formulas out loud or on paper: how to open a formal or informal message, how to link ideas, how to close. Keep them short and correct rather than ambitious.
Confirm the start time and venue one last time, set two alarms, and prepare clothes and food for the morning. Avoid a late night; fatigue costs marks in listening more than in any other part.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and leave your phone switched off and stored as the centre instructs. Keep your ID and pens with you.
Before entering, skim your one-page summary for the task order and timing. Do not try to memorise new vocabulary at the door.
Read the instructions for each part before starting it and note how many minutes you can give it. If a part is taking too long, mark your best answer and move on; return only if time remains.
For listening, read the questions before the audio starts and write keywords while listening. Do not stop to perfect an answer while the audio continues.
For writing, plan for a minute, write, then reserve time to check agreement, verb tenses, spelling and whether you covered every required point. Leave a short margin at the end for corrections.
If you finish early, check that every question is answered and that your name and candidate details are filled in as instructed. Hand in materials only when the invigilator tells you to.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document used at registration and keep it visible on your desk if the centre requires it. If your document is lost or expired, contact the centre before exam day; do not assume an alternative will be accepted.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on starting, stopping and handing in. Writing after the invigilator announces the end of a part, or opening a section before you are told to, can lead to your paper being withdrawn.
Phones, smartwatches and any other electronic devices must be switched off and placed where the centre directs. Keeping a device on your person during the test is normally treated as an irregularity; confirm the storage arrangements with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not take notes, papers or audio out of the room unless the invigilator authorises it.
Dictionaries, grammar references and written notes are not normally allowed. Confirm with the provider which materials, if any, are permitted for the written tasks before the exam.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator. Toilet breaks may be restricted during listening sections, so plan accordingly; the exact policy is a centre rule to confirm with the provider.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem with the audio, tell the invigilator immediately. Do not try to resolve it yourself or discuss it with other candidates.
Scoring and pass requirements are set by the official CELGA regulations for the current call. Do not rely on hearsay about minimum marks per part; check the official information or confirm with the provider, and note that results and certificate collection procedures are announced by the organising body.