Cantabria PAU Music Analysis II (Análisis Musical II) exam-day guide
Cantabria PAU Music Analysis II (Análisis Musical II) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo ID
Bring the original document (DNI, passport, or residence card) that matches your registration. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photocopy is valid.
Exam admission document / receipt
Print or download the registration receipt or admission letter if the provider issues one. Confirm with the provider whether it must be printed or can be shown on a phone.
Black or blue pens (at least two)
Written answers and score annotations must be legible. Bring a spare in case one fails.
Pencil and eraser
Useful for sketching harmonic reductions, rhythmic dictation drafts, or rough form diagrams before writing the final answer.
Analog watch
Phones are usually not allowed on the desk. An analog watch lets you pace the timed listening and writing sections. Confirm with the provider whether smartwatches are prohibited.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many venues require transparent containers for pens and pencils. Confirm with the provider what is permitted on the desk.
Water in a clear bottle
Label removed and cap sealed. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed in the exam room.
Know the venue and room
Locate the building, room, and nearest transport in advance. Arrive early enough to find the room without stress. Confirm with the provider the exact address and access door.
Arrival time
Plan to be at the venue before the doors close. Confirm with the provider the cut-off time after which candidates are not admitted.
No electronic devices on the desk
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and earphones must be switched off and stored as instructed. Confirm with the provider where devices must be left.
Scratch paper policy
Do not assume you can bring your own paper. Confirm with the provider whether scratch paper is supplied and whether it must be handed in.
Medical or access arrangements
If you need extra time, a separate room, or other adjustments, confirm with the provider well before the exam that the arrangement is approved and recorded.
Plan the day
Consolidate, do not expand. Review your own summary sheets on form, harmonic function, cadences, texture, and instrumentation. Do two or three timed full-length practice sessions using past-paper-style tasks, and mark them strictly against the official criteria. Re-listen to the set works or representative repertoire once with a score, noting the first 30 seconds of each: instrumentation, texture, tempo, and likely period. Prepare the physical kit and check the venue route.
Light review only: terminology, cadence types, common forms (binary, ternary, sonata, rondo, variation), and the listening checklist you will apply to unfamiliar excerpts. Confirm the exam start time, room, and ID requirements with the provider. Pack the bag: ID, admission document if required, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, clear case, water. Sleep a full night; avoid learning new repertoire.
Eat a proper meal and arrive at the venue with margin. Leave phones and smartwatches off and stored. Read the front page of the paper carefully: number of questions, optional choices, marks per section, and recommended time. Write your name and candidate details exactly as instructed. Do a 5-minute mental warm-up: hum a familiar melody and name its cadences and phrase structure.
Read all questions before starting. Allocate time by marks, not by interest, and keep 10 minutes at the end to check. For listening questions, use the first hearing to map the whole excerpt (timing, texture, instrumentation, dynamics) and later hearings for detail. For analysis questions, always justify with bar numbers, chord labels, or cadence names; an unsupported label earns little. If a question offers a choice, pick the one you can support with specific evidence. Write legibly and label sections clearly. If you run out of time, write brief bullet points rather than nothing.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID required by the provider; candidates without valid ID may be refused entry. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Electronic devices, including phones and smartwatches, must be switched off and stored away from the desk for the whole session. Confirm with the provider the exact device policy.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the exam has started, and do not borrow materials from others. Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator.
Follow the provider's rules on leaving the room; usually you may not leave during the final part of the session, and escorted breaks may be required. Confirm with the provider.
Answers must be your own work. Any attempt to copy, use unauthorised notes, or impersonate another candidate is misconduct and may lead to disqualification.
Marks are awarded for accurate identification and justified reasoning, not for length. Unsupported labels or vague descriptions earn little credit; always cite bar numbers, chord functions, or cadence names.
If a question is ambiguous or a recording is unclear, note your interpretation briefly and continue; do not leave the answer blank. Ask the invigilator only about procedural matters, not about content.
Confirm with the provider the policy on late arrival, extra time, and access arrangements before exam day; do not assume any allowance will be granted on the day.