PAU History of Spain (Castilla y León) exam-day guide
PAU History of Spain (Castilla y León) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or passport
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. Your name must match the enrolment record exactly. If your ID is expired or being renewed, confirm with the provider (your school or the university organising the PAU in Castilla y León) which alternative document they accept before exam day.
Exam venue and seat confirmation
Check your assigned centre, building, and call time on the official notice published by the university coordinating the PAU in Castilla y León (or your school). Venues and timetables differ by province (Valladolid, Salamanca, León, Burgos, etc.), so do not rely on a friend's schedule. Confirm with the provider if your name is missing from the list.
Printed or downloaded timetable of your subjects
Write down the exact start time of each of your exams, including the gap between the morning and afternoon sessions. Know which subjects you sit in the ordinary phase (fase general/obligatoria) and which in the specific phase (fase específica), and the order in which they fall on each day.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Bring spare pens of the same colour. Use the same ink throughout a single exam paper. Pencil is normally only acceptable for drawings, diagrams, or multiple-choice answer sheets where the instructions say so; confirm with the invigilator if unsure.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for rough work, diagrams, and any answer sheet that requires pencil marks. Keep rough work clearly separated from your final answers.
Approved calculator
Only certain models are permitted, and the rules differ by subject and by the coordinating university. Check the official PAU instructions for Castilla y León for the list of allowed and prohibited calculators, and confirm with the provider which model you may use in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, or similar subjects.
Ruler, set square, compass, and protractor
Needed for Technical Drawing and useful in Mathematics and Physics. Bring them in a clear case so invigilators can check them quickly.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require materials to be visible. Avoid opaque pencil cases that could be mistaken for unauthorised material.
Analogue watch (optional)
Mobile phones are normally prohibited or must be switched off and stored away, so a simple watch helps you manage time. Confirm with the provider whether smartwatches are banned outright.
Water bottle with labels removed
A small transparent bottle is usually allowed. Confirm with the provider or invigilator whether drinks are permitted in your room.
No study notes, books, or electronic devices
Leave notes, textbooks, phones, smartwatches, and earbuds at home or stored as instructed. Possession of unauthorised material during an exam can lead to annulment of the paper; confirm the exact consequences with the provider.
Plan your transport and arrive early
Aim to be at the centre well before the call time, allowing for traffic and finding your room. Late arrival rules are set by the coordinating university; confirm with the provider how late entry is handled.
Plan the day
Re-read the official PAU instructions for Castilla y León and your province: timetable, permitted materials, calculator rules, and ID requirements. Confirm your seat and venue. Prepare your ID and materials in one bag. Do light revision of formulas, dates, and essay structures rather than new content, and sleep on a normal schedule.
Do one timed practice paper per remaining subject under exam conditions, then mark it and list only the gaps you can still fix. For History of Spain, rehearse a clear structure for source analysis and essay questions: identify the type of source, its date and context, and organise the answer around causes, development, and consequences. Check that your calculator is on the permitted list.
Pack your bag: ID, pens, pencil, eraser, calculator, drawing instruments, watch, water. Reconfirm the venue and the first exam's start time. Review summary sheets only, no new topics. Eat a normal meal, avoid late-night cramming, and set two alarms. Confirm with the provider if you have any doubt about permitted materials.
Eat breakfast, arrive at the centre ahead of the call time, and locate your room and seat. Switch off your phone and store it as instructed before entering. Listen carefully to invigilators' instructions and check that your name and subject on the paper match your registration.
Read the whole paper first and note the marks per question. Allocate time in proportion to marks and leave a few minutes to check. Answer in the required language and format, show working where marks are awarded for method, and label diagrams. For History of Spain, address the specific question asked, define terms, and support claims with precise dates and events. If you need to leave the room, follow the invigilator's instructions; confirm the centre's rules on breaks and leaving early with the provider.
Do not spend time comparing answers with others. Note briefly what went well and what to adjust, then move on to preparing for the next subject. Keep your materials together so nothing is missing for the following session.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID (DNI or passport) and place it on your desk if asked. If your document is unavailable, confirm with the provider which alternative is accepted; do not assume a photocopy will be enough.
Follow the invigilators' instructions at all times, including where to sit, when to start and stop writing, and how to hand in your paper. Writing after the stop signal can invalidate your answers.
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. Possession of unauthorised material or devices during an exam can lead to annulment of the paper; confirm the exact rules and penalties with the provider.
Use only permitted materials for each subject. Calculator models and other instruments are restricted and the list varies by subject; confirm with the provider which items are allowed before the exam.
Write your answers in the language and format the paper requires, and answer only the questions or options specified. Extra answers that do not follow the instructions may not be marked.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not take question papers or answer sheets out of the room unless the invigilators explicitly allow it.
If you need to leave the room for a justified reason, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator. Rules on temporary exits and early departure are set by the centre; confirm them with the provider.
Scoring follows the official criteria published for the PAU in Castilla y León, including weightings for the ordinary and specific phases. Check the official documentation for how each subject is marked and weighted; do not rely on unofficial summaries.