Castilla y León PAU English exam-day guide
Castilla y León PAU English · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original DNI, passport, or residence card that matches the name on your registration. Without valid ID you may be denied entry. Confirm with your school or the Universidad de Valladolid (which coordinates the PAU in Castilla y León) whether a photocopy is acceptable-do not assume it is.
Exam admission slip or registration confirmation
Print or download any document your centre issued confirming your registration and assigned subjects. Some centres require it at the door; confirm with the provider whether it is mandatory or only recommended.
Black or blue pens (at least two)
Most PAU exams are handwritten. Bring two or three pens that you have already tested, plus a spare. Avoid erasable ink unless your centre explicitly allows it.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for diagrams, multiple-choice answer sheets, and rough work. Use a pencil for any machine-read answer sheet if the instructions ask for it.
Approved calculator
Check the rules for each subject: some allow a scientific calculator, others restrict it. Confirm with the provider which model is permitted and whether graphing or programmable calculators are banned. Bring one you know how to use.
Ruler, set square, protractor, and compass
Needed for Technical Drawing and useful in Physics, Mathematics, and Chemistry. Confirm whether any of these are provided by the centre or must be brought.
Analog watch
Many exam rooms do not have a visible clock, and phones must be switched off and stored. A simple wristwatch helps you pace yourself. Smartwatches are usually not allowed-confirm with the provider.
Clear water bottle
Bring a transparent bottle with no label. Check with your centre whether water is allowed on the desk; rules vary by room.
Light layers and comfortable clothing
Exam rooms can be cold or warm. Dress in layers you can remove. Avoid clothing with printed text that could be mistaken for notes.
Small snack for between sessions
If you have two or more exams in one day, bring something easy to eat during the break. Confirm where food and drink are allowed.
Know your exam schedule and room
Write down the date, time, and room for each subject. Arrive at least 15–20 minutes early. Confirm the exact schedule with your centre, as times can differ between locations.
Leave your phone and smart devices at home or switched off
Phones, smartwatches, and any device that can connect to the internet must be off and out of reach during the exam. Confirm with the provider where to store them; possession during an exam can lead to disqualification.
Plan the day
Confirm the logistics: check your registration document, the exact address of your exam centre, the room, and the start time for each subject. Plan your transport and, if needed, accommodation. Re-read the subject-specific instructions for every exam you are taking, especially the permitted materials (calculator, dictionary, drawing tools). Make a packing list and set aside your ID, pens, and calculator in one place.
Do a final content review focused on format, not new material: look at the structure of each paper (sections, choice, time allocation) and rehearse your timing. Practise one full section under timed conditions. Review your own summary sheets of formulas, irregular verbs, or key vocabulary. Stop studying new topics that you have not seen before-they add anxiety without adding marks.
Pack your bag with the checklist items: ID, admission slip if required, pens, pencil, eraser, calculator (with fresh batteries or spare), ruler, watch, water, snack. Check the weather and lay out clothes. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at your usual time; avoid late-night cramming. Set two alarms. Confirm one last time the start time and room with your centre if you have not already.
Eat a proper breakfast and hydrate. Arrive at the centre at least 20–30 minutes before the scheduled start. Keep your phone switched off and stored as instructed. Go to the toilet before entering the room. Have your ID and pens ready. Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions and fill in your personal details exactly as they appear on your ID.
Read the whole paper first, then allocate time per section and stick to it. Start with the questions you can answer confidently, but leave space to return to harder ones. Write legibly and show your working in science and maths-partial credit is often available. Watch the clock and reserve the last 5–10 minutes to check that you have answered every required question and completed any answer sheet. If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator; do not simply get up.
Rules to check
Bring valid official photo ID (DNI, passport, or residence card) matching your registration. If you do not have it, you may not be allowed to sit the exam. Confirm with the provider what alternatives are accepted.
Arrive on time. Candidates are usually admitted until a set time after the start; after that, entry may be refused. Confirm with the provider the exact cut-off and whether late arrivals are allowed at all.
Electronic devices: phones, smartwatches, and any internet-connected device must be switched off and stored away from your desk. Possession during the exam can be treated as academic misconduct and may lead to annulment of your exam. Confirm with the provider where to leave devices.
Only permitted materials may be on your desk: pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, and any calculator or dictionary explicitly allowed for that subject. Bags and coats go where the invigilator indicates. Do not borrow materials from other candidates during the exam.
Breaks: in Castilla y León, the PAU is usually organised with separate sessions for different subjects. Between exams you may leave the room, but you must not communicate with candidates who have not yet sat the paper. Confirm with the provider the rules on leaving the building between sessions.
Scoring: each subject is marked out of 10, and the final university access grade combines your Bachillerato record with the PAU results according to the current regulations. The weighting of the specific-phase subjects depends on the degree you apply for. Confirm the exact formula and weightings with your school or the university.
Academic integrity: any attempt to copy, use unauthorised notes, or communicate with another candidate can lead to disqualification from the exam and further consequences. Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times.
If you have a disability or special educational need, request any adaptations (extra time, separate room, etc.) well in advance through your centre. Do not assume they will be granted on the day; confirm with the provider what documentation is required and by when.