Andalusia PAU French exam-day guide
Andalusia PAU French · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original, valid photo ID required for the PAU (usually DNI, passport, or residence card). Confirm with your school or the Universidad de Andalucía PAU instructions which document is accepted and whether a copy is allowed.
Exam admission slip / matrícula documentation
Print or download any admission document or proof of registration provided by the coordinating university. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write legibly in ink. Bring spares; pencil is normally only for diagrams or multiple-choice answer sheets if the instructions say so.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any answer sheet that requires pencil marking. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is allowed for the French paper itself.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms may not have a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch without connectivity helps you manage time; smartwatches are normally prohibited.
Clear water bottle
Stay hydrated, especially for the longer sessions. Labels should be removed if the venue requires it; confirm local room rules with the provider.
Small snack
For between-paper breaks or long mornings. Eat it outside the exam room unless the invigilator says otherwise.
Know your exam venue and room
Check the assignment published by the coordinating university (usually the Universidad de Sevilla, Málaga, Granada, etc., depending on your province). Verify address, building, and access time; confirm with the provider if the room is not published.
Review the official French paper structure
Re-read the instructions for the Andalusia PAU French paper: typically a text with comprehension questions, a grammar/lexis section, and a written production task. Confirm the exact current format and timing with the provider or official PAU documentation.
Practice handwritten answers
Write at least one full text commentary and one short essay by hand in the final days to check speed, spelling, and legibility under timed conditions.
Plan arrival with margin
Arrive at least 30–45 minutes before the scheduled start to allow for ID checks and seating. Confirm with the provider whether late entry is allowed.
Leave prohibited devices at home or switched off
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and any connected device must normally be off and stored away. Confirm the venue's policy on where to leave them.
Plan the day
Confirm your exam schedule, venue, and room assignment using the official PAU information for your province. Check the exact start time of the French paper and any overlapping subjects. If anything is unclear, contact your school or the coordinating university.
Do a full timed mock of the French paper under exam conditions: no dictionary, no notes, handwritten. Mark it against the official criteria (comprehension, grammar, expression) and list your three weakest areas.
Review the format and scoring: how many questions, how many points per section, and whether there is a choice between options. Confirm with the provider if the current structure differs from what you have practised.
Target your weak areas with short, focused exercises: verb tenses, agreement, connectors, and question-type vocabulary. Keep sessions under 45 minutes and stop before fatigue.
Prepare your bag: ID, admission slip if required, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, water, snack. Lay out clothes and check transport times to the venue.
Do a light review only: a one-page summary of connectors, a few verb paradigms, and the structure of the writing task. Avoid new material and avoid all-night study.
Set two alarms, eat a normal dinner, and aim for a full night's sleep. Confirm the venue address one last time and note the room number.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive early. Leave your phone off and stored; keep only allowed materials on your desk. Listen carefully to invigilator instructions and fill in your personal details exactly as instructed.
Read the whole paper first and allocate time by section. Start with comprehension, then grammar, then the writing task. Leave 5–10 minutes to check spelling, agreement, and that every question is answered.
Write clearly and cross out mistakes neatly. If you run out of time, write bullet-point outlines for unfinished answers rather than leaving blanks, unless the instructions forbid it. Ask the invigilator only procedural questions.
Do not spend the break rehashing answers. Eat, hydrate, and switch focus to the next subject. Keep your materials organised for the following sessions.
Rules to check
Bring the original valid photo ID required for the PAU and keep it on your desk for inspection. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photocopy is sufficient.
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and any connected devices must be switched off and stored away during the exam. Using or even holding such a device can lead to disqualification; confirm the venue's exact policy with the provider.
Enter only with authorised materials: pens, pencil, eraser, and any instrument the paper explicitly permits. Dictionaries, notes, and electronic translators are not allowed in the French paper unless the official instructions say otherwise; confirm with the provider.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times. Do not communicate with other candidates, do not look at others' papers, and raise your hand if you need to leave the room; normally you will be accompanied.
Breaks between papers are usually short and must be spent outside the exam room. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the waiting areas and whether you can access your bag between sessions.
Write your answers in the language and form requested (for example, French for the production task, Spanish or French for explanations if the paper allows). Answers in the wrong language or off-topic may score zero for that question.
Scoring is based on the official criteria for the French paper: comprehension of the text, grammatical and lexical accuracy, and written expression. Confirm the weighting and any minimum thresholds with the provider or official PAU documentation.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem with the room, report it calmly to the invigilator immediately; do not attempt to resolve it yourself. Formal complaints follow the procedure set by the coordinating university, which you should confirm with the provider.