Castilla y León PAU Chemistry exam-day guide
Castilla y León PAU Chemistry · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original DNI/NIE or passport. Confirm with the provider which document is accepted and whether a photocopy is valid, since rules can change between calls.
Exam call/session confirmation and seat assignment
Print or download the notification showing your assigned centre, room and call time. Confirm with the provider or your school how seats and rooms are published for the PAU in Castilla y León.
Blue or black pens (at least two)
Write in ink; keep a spare. Confirm with the provider whether only a specific colour is allowed, as this is usually announced in the exam instructions.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any multiple-choice answer sheet. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted on the answer sheet or only for drafts.
Approved calculator
Check the current Castilla y León PAU instructions for the subjects that allow a calculator and which models are excluded (typically programmable or graphing calculators with communication). Confirm with the provider before relying on a specific model.
Ruler, set square, protractor and compass
Relevant for Physics, Mathematics and Technical Drawing. Confirm with the provider which instruments are permitted in each subject.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms may not have a visible clock. Smart watches and phones are normally not allowed at the table. Confirm with the provider the exact policy on watches.
Clear water bottle
Stay hydrated, especially for long morning sessions. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed in the room and whether labels must be removed.
Light snack for between sessions
If you have two sessions in one day, bring something small to eat outside the exam room during the break. Confirm with the provider where food and drink may be consumed.
Subject-specific formula sheet or notes
Do not assume any notes are allowed. Confirm with the provider whether any official formula sheet is provided and whether personal notes are prohibited in every subject.
Review the official instructions for each subject
Read the cover page rules for your subjects: number of questions to answer, optionality, and scoring. Confirm with the provider via the official PAU portal or your school.
Plan your route and arrival time
Arrive with margin before the call time. Confirm with the provider the consequences of late arrival, as access rules are set by the organising commission.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content. Review your summary sheets and the most frequent question types in each subject: stoichiometry and equilibria in Chemistry, mechanics and electricity in Physics, and standard function and matrix problems in Mathematics. Re-read the official instructions for optionality and scoring in each subject so you know how many questions to answer and whether there are choices. Prepare your materials in one bag: ID, pens, pencils, calculator with fresh batteries, geometry instruments and a non-smart watch. Confirm the centre, room and call time with your school or the provider. Sleep on a normal schedule; do not plan all-night sessions in these last days.
Do one short, timed practice set per subject, focused on format and time management rather than new theory. Check your calculator works and that its batteries are fresh. Lay out clothes and your bag. Re-read the rules about prohibited devices. Confirm transport and, if needed, accommodation. Eat a normal meal and go to bed early; avoid last-minute cramming of long lists.
Eat breakfast and arrive at the centre with margin before the call time. Keep your phone switched off and stored as instructed; do not bring it to the table. Check you have your ID, pens and calculator. Once seated, read the cover instructions carefully: note the number of questions, the optionality and the time available. Write your identifying data as instructed before starting.
Read the whole paper first and choose your questions deliberately. Allocate time per question and keep a few minutes for review. Write clearly, number your answers, and show working in calculation subjects, since partial credit is usually awarded for correct method. If a question blocks you, move on and return later. Use rough paper only where permitted, and transfer final answers to the required place. Watch the clock and stop writing when instructed.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID document required by the provider and keep it visible on the table. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what to do if yours is lost or being renewed.
Mobile phones, smart watches and any device with communication or storage capability must be switched off and kept out of reach as instructed. Failure to comply can lead to expulsion from the exam; confirm with the provider the exact consequences.
Follow the call time and access rules set by the organising commission. Confirm with the provider whether late arrival is admitted and under what conditions.
Breaks between sessions are supervised or unsupervised according to the centre's rules. Confirm with the provider where you may stay and whether you may leave the building between sessions.
Writing must be in the permitted ink and on the official answer sheets. Confirm with the provider the rules on correcting answers and on using pencil for drafts.
Scoring and optionality are set per subject in the official instructions: answer the required number of questions and respect internal choices. Confirm with the provider the current structure and weighting for each subject.
Do not bring unauthorised material such as notes, books or formula sheets unless the instructions explicitly allow them. Confirm with the provider what is permitted in each subject.
Any incident, appeal or special-circumstance request must follow the official procedure and deadlines. Confirm with the provider or your school how and when to submit it.