PAU Technical Drawing II (Andalusia) exam-day guide
PAU Technical Drawing II (Andalusia) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the identity document (DNI/NIE/passport) required by the Universidad de Andalucía call. The exact document accepted and whether a photocopy suffices must be confirmed with the provider before the exam.
Exam call / seat assignment printout
Print or download the call document showing date, time, building, and room or seat. Check the official PAU portal of your province a few days before, because rooms can change.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Technical drawing answers must be in ink for the final solution; keep a spare. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is allowed for construction lines, since rules vary by call.
Pencil and eraser
HB and a harder 2H pencil for auxiliary construction lines. Eraser must be clean and non-marking; avoid ink erasers that could damage the paper.
Drawing instruments: compass, set squares, ruler
A compass with a locking hinge and spare lead, 45° and 30/60° set squares, and a 30 cm graduated ruler. Check that the compass holds its radius without slipping.
Protractor
A 180° protractor for measuring and constructing angles. Choose a transparent one with fine graduations.
Approved calculator
The PAU allows certain non-programmable, non-graphing calculators. Verify the current approved model list with the provider; do not bring a programmable or symbolic calculator.
Sharpener and spare compass leads
A small sharpener and 2 mm leads for the compass. Mechanical pencils need spare 0.5 mm leads.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analogue or digital watch, since phone use is restricted. Smartwatches are not permitted; confirm the provider's rule on any watch.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many venues require transparent containers. Confirm with the provider whether a clear case is mandatory or only recommended.
Water bottle with label removed
A transparent bottle is usually allowed at the desk. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are permitted in the exam room.
Review the scoring criteria and option structure
Re-read the official instructions: the exam usually offers a choice of problems and the scoring per exercise is published. Confirm the exact structure and weighting with the provider for your call.
Plan the day
Re-read the official exam structure and scoring criteria from your regional PAU portal. List the topics that appear most often: dihedral projections, axonometric perspective, tangencies, conic curves, and standardized drawing. Do one full past paper under timed conditions and mark it yourself against the published criteria.
Do a focused instrument drill: construct perpendiculars, parallels, angle bisectors, and a tangent circle to a line and a circle with the compass only. Time each construction. Fix any habit that costs time, such as re-sharpening or hunting for the set square.
Prepare the physical kit and lay it out: two pens, pencils, eraser, compass with leads, set squares, ruler, protractor, calculator, watch, ID, and call printout. Check the route and travel time to the venue. Sleep at a normal hour; do not start new topics.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive at the venue well before the call time with the ID and printout ready. Leave the phone switched off and stored as the venue instructs. Do a five-minute warm-up sketch of a simple tangent construction to wake up the drawing hand.
Read all options before choosing. Select the problems you can complete fully rather than the ones that look interesting. Note the point value of each exercise and allocate minutes proportionally, leaving 10 minutes at the end for checking.
Draw construction lines lightly in pencil, then ink only the final solution. Label points and vertices clearly. Keep the drawing centered on the sheet and respect the stated scale. If a construction fails, erase cleanly rather than drawing over it.
Check that every required element is drawn: hidden lines as dashed, symmetry axes as dash-dot, dimensions and labels complete. Verify your name and exam details on every sheet. Confirm with the provider whether rough work must be handed in or can be discarded.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document required by the call and place it on the desk when requested. If you are unsure which document is accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Phones and smart devices must be switched off and stored outside the desk as the venue instructs. A ringing or visible device may lead to disqualification; confirm the exact rule with the provider.
Use only the drawing instruments and calculator models permitted by the current PAU regulations. Programmable or graphing calculators and any device with communication capability are not allowed.
Write your identifying data on every answer sheet and keep sheets in the order the instructions require. Unlabeled or loose sheets may not be graded.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on leaving the room. Toilet breaks and early exit are usually restricted and may require escort; confirm the specific policy with the provider.
Answer in the language and format the exam requires. In Technical Drawing, final solutions should be inked and auxiliary lines left light; confirm with the provider whether pencil-only answers are accepted.
Do not bring notes, solved exercises, or annotated formula sheets into the room. Any material that could be used as an aid must be left outside.
Scoring follows the published criteria for each exercise, so show construction lines and label the solution. If you are unsure how partial credit is awarded, confirm with the provider.