Cantabria PAU Technical Drawing II (Dibujo Técnico II) exam-day guide
Cantabria PAU Technical Drawing II (Dibujo Técnico II) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the identity document stated in your registration/convocation (typically DNI or passport for local candidates, passport for international candidates). Acceptable documents and any rules about expired IDs must be confirmed with the Universidad de Cantabria or your exam centre; do not assume a photocopy is accepted.
Exam convocation / registration receipt
Print or save the notice showing your assigned centre, classroom, date and time. Some centres publish seat allocations only a few days before the exam; check the official PAU portal the day before.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Technical drawing answers must be clear and reproducible. Bring spare pens and check ink flow beforehand. Whether pencil is allowed for construction lines varies by centre and exercise instructions-follow the paper's own instructions and confirm with the provider if unclear.
Drawing instruments: ruler, set squares (45° and 30–60°), compass, protractor
A rigid graduated ruler, both set squares, a compass with spare leads and a sharpener, and a protractor cover most constructions in dihedral geometry, tangencies, conics and axonometric work. Check that your compass holds radius settings without slipping.
Pencils and eraser
Bring a 2H or H pencil for light construction lines and an HB for final lines, plus a soft white eraser. Keep the eraser clean to avoid smudging the sheet.
Calculator (if permitted by the paper's instructions)
Some exercises involve numerical values or scale calculations. Confirm with the provider which calculator models are allowed; programmable or graphing calculators are commonly restricted, so bring a basic scientific model unless told otherwise.
Watch (non-smart)
Exam rooms may not have a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch helps you manage the time budget; smartwatches are normally not allowed at the desk.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require materials to be visible. Confirm with the provider whether only transparent cases are allowed.
Water and a light snack
The exam is long and drawing is tiring. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk and where bags may be left.
Review the official instructions and scoring criteria
Re-read the structure of the paper: number of questions, options, and how each block is weighted. Confirm with the provider the exact structure and any choice rules, as these can change between years.
Plan your answer layout in advance
Decide how you will lay out multi-part constructions on the answer sheet (margins, labelling, scale notes) so that the examiner can follow your reasoning. Practise on the official answer paper format if it is published.
Confirm the venue and travel time
Check the exact building and room, and plan arrival with margin for transport delays. Verify the call time with the provider; arriving after the start may restrict entry.
Plan the day
Do a timed full past paper under exam conditions using only the materials you will bring. Then review your errors by topic: tangencies, conics, dihedral system, axonometric projections, normalisation and dimensioning. Rehearse the constructions you are slowest at, and check that your instruments (compass, set squares) are in working order. Do not start new topics this late; consolidate.
Prepare your kit and lay it out: ID, convocation, pens, pencils, eraser, ruler, set squares, compass with spare leads, protractor, calculator, watch, clear case. Re-read the official exam instructions and confirm the venue, room and call time on the official portal. Do a light review of formulas and standard procedures (scale factors, conic definitions, plane-change steps) rather than a full mock. Sleep at a normal hour.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the centre with time to spare. Keep your materials in the permitted case and have your ID and convocation ready for checking. Avoid last-minute cramming of new material; a brief skim of your own summary sheet is enough. Follow the invigilators' instructions for entering the room and placing bags.
Read the entire paper before drawing anything. Identify which questions are compulsory and which offer a choice, and note the marks or weighting of each. Allocate time per question and reserve the final 10–15 minutes for checking labels, scales and construction accuracy. Write your name and details exactly as instructed.
Start with the question you can execute most reliably to secure marks, then move to harder constructions. Keep construction lines light and final lines firm; label points, angles and scales clearly. If a construction fails, do not erase everything-show your method, since partial credit is often given for correct procedure. Watch the clock at each quarter of the exam and leave time to finish the last question rather than perfecting the first.
Check that every required answer is present and clearly identified, that units and scales are stated, and that no answer is left in an ambiguous position on the sheet. Make sure your name and candidate details are correct. Hand in materials as instructed by the invigilators.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document specified in your convocation and present it when requested; if you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Follow the invigilators' instructions at all times, including where to sit, when you may open the paper, and how to hand in your work.
Do not bring unauthorised materials or devices (smartphones, smartwatches, programmable calculators, notes) into the exam room; store them as the centre instructs. Confirm with the provider which calculators and instruments are permitted.
Arrive by the stated call time. Entry after the exam has started, and the consequences of lateness, are set by the centre-confirm with the provider rather than assuming you will be admitted.
Breaks and permission to leave the room during the exam are at the invigilator's discretion and may be restricted; confirm with the provider if you have a medical or access need, and request any accommodation in advance.
Write and draw only in the space and format indicated on the answer sheet, and identify each answer clearly by question number.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for the paper; partial credit for correct method is common, so show construction lines and reasoning rather than only the final result. The exact weighting and any penalties are set out in the official instructions-confirm with the provider.
Any irregularity (talking, copying, use of prohibited devices) may lead to disqualification under the university's rules; the applicable procedure is defined by the provider.