PAU Geography (Castilla y León) exam-day guide
PAU Geography (Castilla y León) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or passport
Bring the original document in force. Photocopies and digital copies are generally not accepted for identification; confirm with your examination centre whether any alternative document is admitted if yours is lost or expired, as this is a centre-level policy.
Exam admission/registration confirmation
Print or download the document that shows your registration and, where applicable, your assigned seat or classroom. The exact document varies by call, so confirm with the provider which proof of registration is required.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written answers must be legible. Bring spare pens of the same ink colour, since a change of ink colour mid-answer can confuse the marker.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any multiple-choice answer sheet if the model includes one. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted for final answers or only for drafts.
Approved calculator
Check the current call's rules on which calculator models are allowed for the practical Geography exercises. Do not assume a graphing or programmable model is permitted; confirm with the provider before the exam.
Ruler and, if permitted, a simple set square
Helps when drawing or reading cross-sections, profiles and scale bars. Confirm whether drawing instruments are allowed in your centre.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. Smartwatches and any device with connectivity are normally prohibited; confirm the provider's rule on ordinary watches.
Transparent water bottle, label removed
Hydration matters in a long written paper. Many centres require bottles to be transparent and unlabelled; confirm the exact rule with your centre.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Keeps materials together and speeds up any desk inspection. Confirm whether the centre requires transparent containers.
Know the exact venue, room and access door
Check the address and the entrance you must use, and plan to arrive well before the start time. The specific arrival margin and late-entry rule are set by the centre, so confirm them with the provider.
Leave prohibited items at home or in a bag outside the desk
Mobile phones, smartwatches, notes and study sheets must not be within reach during the exam. Confirm where the centre expects you to leave bags and devices.
Review the structure of the paper the day before
Re-read the official instructions for the current call: number of questions, options, time allocation and whether there are separate practical and theory parts. Confirm the current format with the provider, as it can change between calls.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: exact venue, room, access door, start time and the arrival margin required. Re-read the official instructions for the current call and check the list of permitted materials, especially the calculator rule. Do one full timed past-paper under exam conditions, then mark it against the official criteria and list your three weakest exercise types.
Target only those weak exercise types: for example map interpretation, cross-sections, climate or hydrograph analysis, population pyramids, land-use or urban plans, or statistical commentary. Practise writing short, structured answers with a clear opening statement, ordered evidence from the source, and a brief conclusion. Time each answer.
Do a light review of your own summary sheets and the vocabulary you will need to describe patterns and processes precisely. Prepare the checklist items in one place: ID, registration document, pens, pencil, eraser, calculator, ruler, watch, water. Check transport and set two alarms. Avoid learning new content and go to bed at a normal hour.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the venue with margin. Leave the phone switched off and stored as the centre requires. Before entering, skim only your one-page summary; do not try to memorise new material. Once seated, check that the paper is complete and that you have the number of pages and answer sheets stated in the instructions.
Read the whole paper before writing. Identify which questions or options you will answer and in what order, and note the marks or weighting of each part so you can allocate time proportionally. Write your name and identification details exactly as instructed before starting.
Follow your time plan and keep a few minutes per question in reserve. For source-based questions, quote or point to specific evidence from the map, graph or table rather than describing it generically, and use correct technical terms. If you run out of time on a question, leave space and move on; return only if time allows. Reserve the final minutes to check that every required question is answered and that your identification details are complete.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID; the exact documents accepted and the procedure if your ID is lost or expired are set by the centre, so confirm with the provider in advance.
Follow the centre's instructions on prohibited items. Phones, smartwatches and any connectable device must be switched off and out of reach; possession during the exam can lead to annulment of your paper under the centre's rules.
Do not begin writing until you are told to start, and stop immediately when time is called. Writing after the final instruction may be penalised; confirm the centre's practice on this.
Answer only the number of questions or options required. If the paper offers a choice, extra answers are normally not marked, so check the instructions and confirm with the provider how optional questions are scored.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator; whether toilet breaks are allowed and whether you are escorted or the time is not extended are centre-level rules, so confirm with the provider.
Raise your hand for any problem: a misprinted page, a missing answer sheet, or a calculator failure. Do not borrow material from another candidate.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not take the question paper or answer sheets out of the room unless the instructions explicitly allow it; confirm the centre's rule on removing materials.
If you believe there is an error in a question or an incident during the exam, report it to the invigilator immediately and follow the centre's formal complaint or review procedure; ask the provider for the exact procedure and deadlines.