PAU Technical Drawing Applied to Plastic Arts (Cantabria) exam-day guide
PAU Technical Drawing Applied to Plastic Arts (Cantabria) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original photo ID (DNI, passport, or equivalent) required for admission. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photocopy is valid; do not rely on a copy alone.
Exam admission/registration confirmation
Print or download the confirmation showing your assigned seat, room, and call time. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or a digital version is accepted.
Graphite pencils in several grades
Bring at least HB, 2B, and 4B/6B for construction lines, tonal work, and dark accents. Have two of your most-used grade in case one breaks.
Pencil sharpener and erasers
A small sharpener or knife plus a soft eraser and a kneaded eraser. A kneaded eraser is useful for lifting graphite without damaging paper; check whether it counts as permitted material with the provider.
Ruler, set square, and protractor
A 30-60-90 and a 45-45-90 set square, a graduated ruler, and a protractor for geometric construction and measured drawing. Verify permitted instruments with the provider.
Compass with spare leads
A compass that holds a secure point and spare leads or a spare compass. Test the locking mechanism before the exam so circles do not slip.
Approved drawing paper or support
Confirm with the provider whether paper is supplied or you must bring your own, and what format and weight are required. Do not assume a specific size.
Fixative or protective sheet
If spray fixative is allowed, confirm with the provider first, since aerosols are often restricted indoors. Otherwise bring a clean protective sheet or folder so finished work is not smudged in transit.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you pace the timed sections. Confirm with the provider whether phones and smart devices must be switched off and stored away.
Clear water bottle and small snack
Bring water and a light snack for breaks. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the exam room.
Review the official instructions
Re-read the current call notice for duration, number of exercises, materials, and scoring criteria. Details can change year to year; confirm with the provider rather than relying on older candidates' accounts.
Plan the journey and arrival time
Check the venue location and transport the day before. Arrive with margin; confirm with the provider what happens if you are late, as admission rules after the start are usually strict.
Plan the day
Re-read the official call notice and confirm every logistical detail with the provider: venue, room, call time, permitted materials, paper format, and the structure and timing of the exercises. Write a one-page summary of what you will do in each section so you are not deciding on the day.
Do one full timed rehearsal under exam conditions using only the materials you plan to bring. Draw a complete piece from start to finish, including construction, tonal development, and clean-up. Time each phase and note where you lost minutes.
Prepare and test your kit. Sharpen pencils, check the compass, confirm the set squares are not warped, and pack everything in one bag. Replace anything that failed during the rehearsal.
Stop heavy practice. Do a light warm-up sketch of 20 to 30 minutes to keep your hand loose, then review your own weak points: proportion, perspective, line quality, or composition. Do not start new complex techniques the night before.
Lay out clothes, ID, confirmation, and the full kit by the door. Check the weather and transport schedule. Set two alarms and aim to sleep at a normal hour; fatigue costs more than one extra hour of practice.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive early. Before entering, do a two-minute hand warm-up on scrap paper if permitted. Confirm with the provider where bags and phones must be left.
Read all instructions and the full set of options before drawing anything. Choose your subject or approach deliberately, then spend the first few minutes planning composition, format, and the time budget for each phase.
Block in the overall composition and proportions lightly before committing to detail. Keep construction lines light so they erase cleanly, and work from large shapes to small detail rather than finishing one corner at a time.
Check the clock at planned checkpoints, for example one third and two thirds of the way through. Reserve the final portion for resolving edges, strengthening contrast, cleaning smudges, and protecting the sheet.
Stop adding new elements. Clean the sheet, erase stray construction lines, confirm your identifying details are filled in as instructed, and place the work in its protective folder. Confirm with the provider how and where to submit finished work.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID required for admission and keep it on the desk if instructed. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what to do if you have lost yours; do not assume a replacement will be admitted without prior arrangement.
Arrive at the stated call time. Admission after the start is usually restricted and extra time is generally not granted for lateness, but the exact policy must be confirmed with the provider.
Use only permitted materials. Ask the provider in advance about anything uncertain, such as fixative sprays, kneaded erasers, mechanical pencils, or electronic aids; unauthorized items may be removed and could affect your result.
Switch off phones and smart devices and store them where instructed. Do not keep any device on your person during the test, even if unused.
Work independently. Do not communicate with other candidates, pass materials, or copy work during the test. Follow the invigilator's instructions on raising your hand for questions or to leave the room.
Follow the rules on breaks and leaving the room. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are permitted, whether you may leave and return, and whether time stops during an absence; these details vary and should not be guessed.
Label your work exactly as instructed, using the identifier or code required rather than your name if anonymity is specified. Confirm with the provider how candidates are identified on submitted sheets.
Understand the scoring criteria published for the exam and allocate time accordingly. Confirm with the provider how the exercises are weighted and whether all sections must be attempted, since partial completion rules differ between calls.