Andalusia PAU Performing Arts II exam-day guide
Andalusia PAU Performing Arts II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document (DNI, passport, or equivalent)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. The document must be valid on the exam date. If you have any doubt about which document is accepted for your call, confirm with the provider (the university or the organising commission) before the exam day.
Exam call / appointment document and proof of registration
Print or download the document showing your assigned centre, room, and time. Check the exact call time, since it is usually earlier than the start of the test. If the document does not state a room, confirm with the provider.
Printed copy of the programme or repertoire you will perform
Some centres ask for a written list of the pieces or exercises you will perform, with composer, title, and duration. The exact format is set by the centre, so confirm with the provider whether it must be printed, signed, or submitted in advance.
Any scores or materials the centre requires
If you perform with an accompanist or present your own material, check whether the centre requires copies of the score for the panel. Requirements vary by centre and call; confirm with the provider.
Instrument-specific accessories you are allowed to bring
For instruments, check the call for what the centre provides (for example, a piano or music stand) and what you must bring yourself, such as rosin, reeds, or a tuning device. Confirm with the provider if the rules are not explicit.
Water and a light snack
Keep them in a closed bag and check the centre's rules on food and drink in the exam room. Do not rely on being able to leave the room during the test.
Watch or small timer (if permitted)
Useful for controlling the duration of your performance or preparation. Mobile phones are usually not allowed as timers; confirm with the provider whether a watch is permitted in the room.
Plain clothing suitable for performance and movement
Wear something you can move in and that does not distract the panel. Avoid logos or text that could identify your school or teacher. If the call specifies a dress code, follow it.
Arrive early at the assigned centre
Plan to arrive with enough margin to find the room and complete any check-in. The exact arrival window is set in your call; confirm with the provider if it is unclear.
Leave phones and smart devices outside the exam room
Switch them off and store them as instructed. Using a device during the test can be treated as a serious irregularity. The exact rule is set by the centre; confirm with the provider.
Review the structure and timing of the test the day before
Know the order of the parts (for example, preparation, performance, and any theoretical or listening section) and how long each part lasts. The structure is published in the call; confirm with the provider if your call is ambiguous.
Check the centre's access and transport plan
Identify the building entrance and the room in advance. If the centre is unfamiliar, do a trial route or check maps the day before. Access rules for companions are set by the centre; confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Re-read the official call for your centre: call time, room, permitted materials, and the order of the parts. Write a one-page summary of what you will do in each part. Do a full timed run-through of your programme, including the transition between pieces, and note where you lose time or focus. Check that your ID is valid and that your registration document is accessible. Confirm any open question with the provider now, not on the morning of the exam.
Do a second timed run-through under conditions close to the exam: stand as you will stand, use the same materials, and have someone signal the time limits. Work on the weakest section rather than repeating what already works. Prepare your bag with the documents, programme list, and permitted accessories. Check transport times and identify a backup route.
Do a light technical session only: slow warm-up, intonation or tuning checks, and a run-through at moderate intensity. Do not try to learn new material. Prepare clothes and the bag, charge nothing that is banned in the room, and set two alarms. Eat and sleep normally. Read your one-page summary once and then stop.
Eat a normal meal and do a short warm-up (10–20 minutes) so your voice, hands, or embouchure are ready. Arrive at the centre within the window stated in your call. At check-in, present your ID and registration document, follow the instructions on phones and bags, and locate the waiting area and the exam room. Avoid intensive practice in the waiting area; keep warm quietly.
Follow the panel's instructions on order and timing. Before you start, take one calm breath and set your starting position. If you make a mistake, continue; do not restart unless the panel tells you to. Watch the time signals and adjust the tempo or length of your programme if needed. When you finish, thank the panel, collect your belongings as instructed, and leave the room quietly without discussing the test with other candidates.
Rules to check
Bring the original valid ID document required by the call. A candidate who cannot prove identity may be excluded from the test. If your document is lost or expired, contact the provider immediately; do not assume a photocopy will be accepted.
Follow the call time exactly. Candidates are usually called before the start of the test, and late arrival may mean losing your turn. The precise rule on late arrival is set by the centre; confirm with the provider.
Do not use mobile phones, smart watches, or any electronic device in the exam room unless the call explicitly permits it. Keep devices switched off and stored as instructed. Unauthorised use can be treated as an irregularity.
Perform only the programme or exercises set out in the call, within the stated time limits. The panel may stop you when time is up; being stopped does not by itself mean a lower mark. Confirm the time limits and any choice of pieces with the provider.
Breaks and waiting arrangements are set by the centre. Do not leave the waiting area without permission, and ask the staff if you need to leave the room during the test. Confirm the centre's policy with the provider.
Scoring is carried out by the panel according to the published criteria for the subject. Do not ask the panel for your mark on the day; results are published through the official channel stated in the call.
Treat staff and other candidates with respect. Talking, helping another candidate, or disruptive behaviour in the waiting area or exam room can be recorded as an irregularity.
If you have a disability or a specific need, request any adaptation through the official procedure before the exam, not on the day. The deadlines and evidence required are set by the provider; confirm with the provider.