Andalusia PAU Design exam-day guide
Andalusia PAU Design · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the identity document (DNI, passport, or equivalent) that matches the name on your registration. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photocopy is valid; do not assume a student card is enough.
Exam venue and session confirmation
Re-check the room, building, and call time on your official PAU (Selectividad) admission document shortly before the exam. Venues and entry times can change; verify with your school or the Universidad de Andalucía coordination rather than relying on memory.
Printed admission/registration slip if required
Some centres ask for a printed proof of registration or exam timetable. Confirm with the provider whether a printout is mandatory or whether a digital copy is accepted.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (several)
Bring at least two reliable pens, ideally the same ink colour, plus a spare. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted for drafts or diagrams only.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for sketching, construction lines, and rough layouts in the drawing/design paper. Keep them in a clear case if transparent containers are required.
Drawing and design instruments
Bring the tools your Design syllabus expects: ruler, set square, compass, protractor, and colouring materials (markers, coloured pencils, or similar) if the paper allows them. Confirm with the provider the exact permitted list for the Design paper, since material rules differ by subject.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analogue or basic digital watch helps you manage time if the room clock is not visible. Smartwatches and phones are normally not allowed at the desk; confirm device rules with the provider.
Clear water bottle and small snack
Sessions can be long and back-to-back. Bring water and a snack for breaks between papers. Confirm whether food and drink are allowed at the desk.
No phone or smart devices at the desk
Leave phones switched off and stored as instructed. If you need a phone for travel, confirm with the provider where it must be kept during the exam.
Review the Design paper structure
Re-read the official instructions for the Design exam: how many options are offered, whether you choose one option, the weighting of the theoretical and practical parts, and the time allocation. Confirm details with the provider or your teacher.
Prepare a personal instrument/technique plan
Decide in advance which media and techniques you will use for the practical task (for example marker rendering, technical drawing, or layout work) and practise them under timed conditions so you are not experimenting on exam day.
Transport and backup plan
Plan your route and arrive early. Identify a backup way to reach the venue and confirm with the provider what happens if you arrive late, since entry after the start may be restricted.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: check the venue, room, call time, and the exact list of permitted materials for each subject with your school or the provider. Print any required documents and pack your ID, pens, and instruments in one bag. Do a final timed practice of the Design practical task using only the materials you will actually bring, so you know how long each stage takes.
Review the Design syllabus headings and your own summary sheets: design fundamentals, the design process, representation and communication techniques, materials, and the historical or contextual content your course covers. Do not learn new topics; consolidate. Check the scoring structure and how optional questions are chosen so you can plan which parts to answer.
Pack the bag and lay out clothes and ID. Re-read the exam instructions and your one-page checklist of common mistakes (units, labelling, layout, time per section). Confirm transport and set two alarms. Get a full night's sleep rather than cramming; avoid last-minute all-night study.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive at the venue well before the call time, and locate the room and toilets. Keep your phone off and stored as instructed. Once seated, read the whole paper before writing, note the time allocation per section, and start with the part you are most confident about. Leave a few minutes at the end to check labelling, units, and that all required questions are answered.
Read all options before choosing. For the Design practical task, plan the layout and composition briefly before drawing, keep construction lines light, and label diagrams clearly. Watch the clock at set checkpoints; if a section overruns, move on and return if time allows. Write legibly and keep answers within the space and format the paper requires.
Use breaks to rest and eat rather than to re-cram. Do not discuss answers with others in a way that unsettles you. Check the time and room for your next paper, and keep your materials organised so nothing is lost.
Rules to check
Bring and display the official ID required by the provider; the name must match your registration. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what to do if your ID is lost or being renewed.
Follow all instructions from invigilators about where to sit, when to start and stop writing, and how to hand in papers. Stop writing immediately when told; continuing to write after the signal can be treated as misconduct.
Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as instructed, not kept at the desk. Confirm with the provider the exact device policy and the consequences of a device being found.
Only use materials permitted for each subject. For Design, confirm with the provider whether colouring materials, instruments, or specific paper types are allowed, since rules can differ between subjects and centres.
Breaks and access to toilets are usually controlled by invigilators; raise your hand and wait to be accompanied. Confirm with the provider whether any supervised break is allowed during a session.
Scoring and grading are set by the official PAU regulations and the corresponding university coordination; the weighting of each part of the Design paper is published in the official instructions. Confirm the current weightings with the provider rather than relying on older information.
Any suspected irregularity, such as copying or unauthorized material, is handled under the official exam regulations. If you are unsure whether something is allowed, ask an invigilator before the exam starts rather than risk a sanction.
Keep your answers in the required format and language of the paper, and do not remove exam materials from the room unless instructed. Confirm with the provider what you may take away and what must be handed in.