Castilla y León PAU Portuguese exam-day guide
Castilla y León PAU Portuguese · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or valid identity document
Bring the original document (DNI, passport, or residence card) that matches the identification you registered with. 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 seat assignment, sede (exam centre), and call time. Confirm with the provider whether it must be printed or can be shown on a phone.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write clearly and legibly. Bring spare pens; do not count on borrowing from other candidates.
Pencil and eraser
Useful for rough notes and for any multiple-choice answer sheet if the exam includes one. Confirm with the provider whether answer sheets require pencil or pen.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. Smartwatches and phones are usually prohibited at the desk; a simple analogue watch is the safe option.
Clear water bottle with no label
Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk; some venues restrict them. Keep it simple and label-free to avoid issues.
Know the exact sede and call time
Check the official call (convocatoria) for your assigned building, floor, and the time you must be present, which is typically earlier than the start of the test. Arrive with margin for ID checks.
Review the official exam structure and timing
Know the sections, the number of questions, and the total duration published for Portuguese as a second language in the PAU of Castilla y León. Confirm with the provider the current structure and any optionality (for example, choosing between options).
Leave prohibited devices at home or switched off in your bag
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and any connected device are usually banned at the desk. Confirm with the provider the exact policy and where bags must be left.
Plan transport and, if needed, accommodation
Check routes and travel time to the sede in advance. If you travel from another town, book accommodation near the centre and allow extra time for traffic or delays.
Confirm language-specific materials policy
For a Portuguese exam, confirm with the provider whether a monolingual or bilingual dictionary is permitted. Do not bring one unless the official rules for your exam explicitly allow it.
Read the instructions on the paper before writing
Check the number of questions, the marks, and whether there are choices. Allocate time according to the marks, and leave a few minutes to review spelling and accents.
Plan the day
Re-read the official convocatoria for your sede, call time, and permitted materials. Confirm any uncertain points (dictionary use, ID format, device policy) with the provider. Check transport and accommodation. Do a timed practice run of the full paper under exam conditions, then review only your recurring errors.
Consolidate rather than cram: review a concise list of grammar points, connectors, and vocabulary areas you tend to miss. Practise one reading and one writing task with a strict timer. Prepare your bag with pens, pencil, eraser, watch, ID, and confirmation.
Do light revision only: skim your notes and a short list of common pitfalls (accents, verb endings, agreement, false friends). Set out clothes and your bag. Check the weather and travel plan. Sleep at your normal time; avoid late-night study.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the sede with margin before the call time. Keep your phone off and stored as instructed. Have your ID and confirmation ready for inspection. Once seated, read the front page of the paper carefully before starting.
Read the whole paper first and note the marks per section. Start with the section you handle best to build momentum, but keep to your time budget. For reading, locate evidence in the text rather than relying on memory. For writing, plan briefly, write, then check agreement, verb forms, accents, and connectors. If a question blocks you, move on and return. Leave the final minutes for a focused review of spelling and completeness.
Rules to check
Bring the original identity document that matches your registration; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a copy is valid.
Follow the call time strictly; late arrival may bar entry once the test has started. Confirm with the provider the exact late-arrival policy for your sede.
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and connected devices must be switched off and stored as instructed; keeping one at the desk may be treated as misconduct. Confirm with the provider the exact rule.
Do not bring dictionaries, notes, or electronic aids unless the official rules for your exam explicitly permit them; confirm with the provider before the exam day.
Write only on the official answer sheets and follow the invigilator's instructions on labelling them; confirm with the provider how answers must be recorded.
Breaks during the test are usually not permitted; if you need to leave the room, raise your hand and follow the invigilator. Confirm with the provider the policy on leaving and returning.
Scoring is based on the official marking criteria published for the exam; do not assume partial credit rules. Confirm with the provider how each section is weighted.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem with conditions, report it to the invigilator immediately and follow the official review or appeal procedure; confirm with the provider the deadlines and channels.