Andalusia PAU Greek II
More study resources
Cheat sheet
Keep the key ideas within reach.
ExploreKey terms
Get comfortable with the vocabulary.
ExploreStudy plan
Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
ExploreCase studies
Put your knowledge to work in context.
ExploreExam-day guide
Prepare for the day ahead.
ExploreAbout this exam
The Andalusia PAU Greek II exam is the university-access test taken by students in Andalusia who want Greek to count toward their admission score, usually for degrees in Classics, History, Philosophy, translation or linguistics. It is set within the Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad and follows the regional curriculum for Greek II, which centres on reading Attic prose. Candidates normally work from a short passage of Attic Greek, render it into Spanish, and then answer questions that test how well they understand its grammar and structure. The paper also asks about Greek literary history and about etymology, connecting Greek roots to modern Spanish vocabulary. Because the text is unseen, memorising translations is useless: you need solid morphology, a working vocabulary, and the habit of parsing as you read. Effective preparation means reading short Attic passages regularly, building a personal vocabulary list from the authors on the syllabus, drilling declensions and verb forms, and practising written translations under time pressure. Literary and etymological knowledge should be revised in short, repeated sessions rather than crammed. The official body publishes the current structure, timing and scoring each year, so check its site before the exam.
What you'll study
About Andalusia PAU Greek II preparation
What exactly does the exam ask me to do?
You translate a short Attic Greek prose passage into Spanish, then answer questions on the forms and syntax in that passage. There are also questions on Greek literary genres, authors and works, and on etymology and Greek roots in Spanish. The passage is unseen, so the translation carries the most weight.
How long is the exam and how many questions are there?
The regional authority sets and publishes the current structure, duration and question count each year, and these can change. Do not rely on numbers from older candidates. Check the official Andalusia PAU documentation for the year you sit the exam.
How difficult is Greek II compared with Greek I?
It is harder mainly because the texts are longer and less adapted, and because you are expected to recognise syntax quickly rather than work it out slowly. Vocabulary breadth is usually the deciding factor. Candidates who read a little Attic every week find the step manageable; those who only memorise paradigms struggle.
Can I retake the exam if I do badly?
The PAU has established resit arrangements, but the specific rules and dates are set by the regional authority each year. Check its official site for the current rules on resits and on how the Greek grade counts toward your admission score.
In what order should I study the five parts?
Build translation first, since it drives everything else. Then attach morphology and syntax revision to the passages you actually translate, so the grammar has context. Add a short vocabulary review daily. Leave literature and etymology for regular short sessions throughout the year rather than a final block.
Why do candidates lose marks in the translation?
The usual causes are guessing at words instead of using roots and context, ignoring case endings so subjects and objects blur, and leaving out or doubling a negative or particle. Another common error is translating word by word and producing Spanish that does not make sense. Read your Spanish back before moving on.
Do I have to translate literally?
Aim for accurate Spanish that preserves the meaning and structure of the Greek. You do not need an elegant literary version, but you must not invent content to smooth over a gap. If a construction is unclear, translate what you can defend from the morphology and syntax.
How should I handle the etymology questions?
Learn the common Greek roots, prefixes and suffixes, and practise tracing them into Spanish words you already know. Group roots by meaning rather than alphabetically, and note the sound changes between Greek and Spanish. This section rewards steady short review more than last-minute memorisation.
What literature content is examined?
Questions cover Greek literary genres, representative authors and works, typically epic, lyric, tragedy, comedy, historiography and oratory. You need to place authors in their genre and period and know a few key works. Check the official syllabus for the exact authors and periods in your year.