Català A2 exam-day guide
Català A2 · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Identity document with photo
Bring the original document (DNI, passport, or residence card) with the name exactly matching your registration. Confirm with the provider which documents it accepts and whether a photocopy is valid; do not assume.
Registration confirmation or enrollment receipt
Print or download the confirmation email showing your name, the exam level (A2), the date, and the center. Some centers ask for it at the door; confirm with your center whether a digital copy is enough.
Exact exam time and address of the center
Write down the address, the room, and the call time, which is usually earlier than the start time. Check the route and transport the day before; arrive with margin for delays.
Blue or black pens (two or more)
Written answers are normally done in ink. Bring a spare in case one fails. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is allowed for any part.
Pencil and eraser
Useful for drafts, notes, and any multiple-choice answer sheet. Check whether the center provides answer sheets or you must bring your own.
Wristwatch (no smart features)
Rooms do not always have a visible clock. A simple watch helps you manage time in each part. Smartwatches are usually prohibited; confirm with the provider.
Water and a light snack
The full certificate exam can last several hours with parts in sequence. Check whether the center allows food and drink in the room and whether there is a break.
No electronic devices in the exam room
Leave your phone switched off and stored as the center instructs. Confirm with the provider the policy on phones, smartwatches, and bags.
Review the format and timing of each part
Know how many parts there are (typically reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression, and oral expression), how long each lasts, and the order. Confirm the exact structure with the provider, since it can change.
Prepare for the oral test
Find out whether the oral part is on the same day or another day, and whether you are alone or in a pair. Confirm with the provider, because this affects your schedule and travel.
Plan arrival and return transport
Note the first and last transport times and a backup option. If the oral part falls at a different time, plan that journey too.
Sleep, food, and realistic expectations
Do not study new material the night before. A normal night's sleep and a proper breakfast help more than last-minute cramming. Accept that some items will be hard and move on.
Plan the day
Confirm the date, time, room, and address with the center, and check the required documents. Make a single list of what you will bring. Review the format of each part and do one full timed practice run under exam conditions, then stop adding new content and focus on reviewing your own errors and the vocabulary and structures you already know.
Prepare your bag: ID, confirmation, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, water. Check the transport route and the travel time, including a backup. Read a short Catalan text and listen to a few minutes of Catalan audio to keep your ear tuned, but do not start new grammar. Set two alarms, go to bed at a normal hour, and avoid heavy meals or alcohol.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the center with time to spare. Leave your phone off and stored as instructed. Go to the toilet before entering the room. Read the instructions for each part carefully, note the time limit, and decide in advance how you will distribute the minutes across the tasks.
Read the whole instruction before answering. In reading and listening, look for key words and answer the easy items first; never leave a multiple-choice item blank unless the rules penalize wrong answers, which you should confirm with the provider. In writing, plan for a minute, write, and reserve time to check agreement, verb forms, and spelling. In the oral part, speak clearly, use the structures you control, and ask for repetition politely if you did not understand. Keep an eye on the clock and leave nothing unanswered.
Rules to check
Bring the original identity document required by the center and keep it on the desk if asked. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether they must be originals.
Arrive at the call time, not the start time. Late entry rules vary by center, so confirm with the provider what happens if you arrive after the exam has started.
Electronic devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. Using a phone, smartwatch, or any unauthorized material during the exam is normally treated as serious misconduct; confirm the exact policy with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not copy or share answers. Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for permission. Confirm with the provider whether toilet breaks are allowed during the exam and whether the time is deducted.
Check whether the oral part is on the same day or a separate day, and whether you will be examined alone or in a pair. Confirm with the provider so you do not miss the appointment.
Scoring and pass criteria: the exam is graded by skill, and the certificate is normally awarded only when a minimum is reached in each part or in a specified combination. The exact thresholds are set by the provider; confirm them before the exam rather than assuming.
If you have a disability or special need, request any adaptation well in advance. Confirm with the provider the deadline and the documentation required, since arrangements are usually not made on the day.