Cantabria PAU German II exam-day guide
Cantabria PAU German II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the identity document (DNI, passport, or equivalent) that matches your registration. Confirm with your exam centre which documents are accepted and whether a copy is allowed, since rules can change between calls. Keep it in the same pocket or folder every time you check it.
Exam venue and session confirmation
Re-read the official convocatoria for your centre: building, room, and call time. Cantabria PAU sessions are usually held in designated university or secondary-school venues, but the exact assignment is personal. If anything in the notice is ambiguous, confirm with the provider (Consejería de Educación or your school) rather than guessing.
Printed or downloaded timetable
Know the order of your exams and the gap between them. The German II paper is one slot among several; a clear personal timetable prevents arriving at the wrong hour or missing a subject you registered for.
Black or blue pens (at least two)
Write in ink, not pencil, unless the invigilator says otherwise. Bring a spare because answer sheets and rough work both consume ink. Confirm with the provider whether correction fluid is permitted; many centres discourage it.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for multiple-choice or matching sections if the paper includes them, and for annotating your question sheet before transferring answers. Keep them separate from your pens so you do not mix up tools under time pressure.
Clear water bottle and a small snack
Long exam mornings drain concentration. Bring water with the label removed if your centre requires it, and a snack for the break between papers. Confirm with the provider whether food is allowed inside the exam room.
Analogue watch
Many exam rooms have a clock, but not always in your line of sight. A simple non-smart watch lets you pace the reading, writing, and review phases. Smart watches and phones are normally banned from the desk; confirm with the provider.
No phone, smart watch, or earbuds at the desk
Switch devices off and leave them in the bag at the back or wherever the invigilator directs. Even an unused phone on your person can be treated as misconduct. If you rely on your phone as a clock, replace it with an analogue watch for the day.
Transparent pencil case or bag
Some centres require transparent containers so invigilators can check materials quickly. Confirm with the provider what is allowed; if unsure, bring a clear pouch and a spare plastic bag.
Review your German II paper structure the day before
Re-read your own summary of the format: typically a reading comprehension, a grammar or use-of-language section, and a writing task. Know how many points each part carries so you can allocate minutes. Do not try to learn new grammar in the final hours.
Prepare reusable writing phrases
Have a short mental list of connectors, opinion phrases, and formal register expressions you can deploy in the writing task. Practise them once the day before so they are active, not just recognised.
Plan your arrival buffer
Aim to reach the venue well before the call time, allowing for transport delays and the search for the correct room. Confirm with the provider how early doors open and what happens if you arrive late.
Plan the day
Switch from learning to consolidating. Re-read your grammar notes on the topics that carry most marks in the German II paper, such as verb tenses, cases, and connectors, but do not start new material. Do one timed section under exam conditions, then mark it honestly and note the two or three error types you repeat. Spend the rest of the day on those specific errors, not on a broad review.
Write one full practice composition in the format the exam uses, timed to the real allocation. Check it against a short personal checklist: task completion, paragraph structure, range of structures, and accuracy in agreement and word order. Rework the weakest paragraph rather than rewriting the whole text. In the evening, review your vocabulary list for the themes most likely to appear, such as environment, technology, education, and personal relationships.
Confirm logistics: venue, room, call time, transport, and what you are allowed to bring. Confirm with the provider any point you are unsure about, such as ID rules or permitted materials. Pack your bag with pens, pencil, eraser, ID, water, and watch. Do a light review of your phrase list and reading strategies, then stop early. Sleep at your normal time; a late cramming session costs more in concentration than it gains in knowledge.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the venue with a buffer. Leave your phone switched off in your bag. Once seated, read the whole German II paper before writing: identify the reading text, the grammar items, and the writing prompt, and note the points for each. Write a quick minute budget on your question sheet. Start with the section you handle most confidently to settle your nerves, but keep to the budget.
Read each instruction twice and underline the task words, especially in the writing prompt. For reading comprehension, locate the evidence in the text before answering and answer in the language and length the question requires. For grammar items, check subject-verb agreement, case endings, and word order before moving on. For the writing task, spend a few minutes planning structure and key phrases, then write, then reserve the final minutes to check agreement, tenses, spelling, and whether you covered every bullet of the prompt.
Stop writing new content with enough time to proofread. Check that your name and candidate details are filled in as instructed, that no answer is left blank where you could attempt something, and that your handwriting is legible. Hand in materials exactly as the invigilator directs.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document required by your centre and keep it on the desk if instructed. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day; do not assume a photocopy or digital version will be accepted.
Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, must be switched off and stored away from your desk. Keeping a device on your person can be treated as misconduct regardless of whether you used it.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on timing, materials, and leaving the room. Rules on toilet breaks and leaving early vary by centre, so confirm with the provider in advance if you have a medical or other need.
Write in the language and format each question requires: answer reading questions as instructed, and write the composition in German. Off-task or off-language answers may score zero for that item.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the exam has started, and do not look at another candidate's paper. Suspected copying is handled under the official PAU regulations, which can affect your whole session.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for German II: comprehension, use of language, and written production are weighted according to the published paper structure. Read the points allocation on the paper and spend time proportionally.
If you believe there is an error in the paper, raise it calmly with the invigilator rather than trying to resolve it yourself. The centre will record it and the relevant commission decides on any adjustment.
Check the official rules on calculators, dictionaries, and other aids for the German II paper with the provider; do not bring reference materials unless they are explicitly permitted.