Andalusia PAU English study guide
Andalusia PAU English · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Andalusia PAU English test (Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad, Inglés) is the English component of the university entrance examination taken by students in Andalusia who are finishing Bachillerato or accessing university through other recognised routes. It is a written test delivered in English: candidates read a short text and answer comprehension questions on main idea, specific detail, inference and the writer's purpose, then complete lexis and grammar tasks tied to the text, and finally write a guided composition assessed for coherence, cohesion, range and accuracy. The Andalusia PAU English study guide has 6 sections and about 2,490 words.
01Reading comprehension: main idea, specific information, inference and text purpose
Andalusia PAU English usually places an unseen text in Option A or Option B and asks you to show four reading skills: main idea, specific information, inference and text purpose. The text may be journalistic, opinion, popular science or literary.
424 words, about 2 min02Lexis and grammar in context: vocabulary, tense and aspect, syntax, word formation
The lexis and grammar section checks vocabulary in context, tense and aspect, syntax and word formation. In Andalusia PAU English this usually appears as gap-fill, multiple-choice, synonym/antonym, sentence transformation or word-form items tied to the reading text.
385 words, about 2 min03Written production: composition with coherence, cohesion, range and accuracy
The written production task asks for a short composition, commonly 120-150 words, based on a prompt related to the text's theme. Andalusia PAU English rewards coherent organisation, appropriate cohesion, lexical and grammatical range, and accuracy.
425 words, about 2 min04Textual and discourse competence: connectors, register, organisation of ideas
Textual and discourse competence is tested across the whole paper: how well you link ideas, choose a register, and organise a text for a reader. In the composition, examiners look for connectors that express the right logical relationship, referencing that is easy to follow, and paragraphing that matches the plan.
423 words, about 2 min05Sociocultural and intercultural awareness reflected in the text and tasks
Sociocultural and intercultural awareness appears in the reading text and in tasks that ask you to interpret cultural references, values, audience and tone. Andalusia PAU English texts may mention local or global issues, traditions, education, tourism, food or family life.
429 words, about 2 min06Oral comprehension and production where the regional framework includes an oral component
Where the regional framework includes an oral component, it assesses listening comprehension and spoken production/interaction: understanding gist and specific details, note-taking, responding appropriately, pronunciation and fluency. In Andalusia, the standard PAU English paper is written, so check your centre's instructions; if an oral task is used, it is usually a short audio or teacher prompt followed by questions or a brief monologue.
404 words, about 2 min