Castilla-La Mancha PAU Artistic Drawing II (Dibujo Artístico II - UCLM 2026) exam-day guide
Castilla-La Mancha PAU Artistic Drawing II (Dibujo Artístico II - UCLM 2026) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid ID / documento de identidad
Bring your DNI, NIE, or passport in original form. The exact accepted documents and whether photocopies are allowed should be confirmed with the coordinating university (UCLM) or your exam centre before the day.
Exam call / matrícula documentation
Print or download your PAU registration confirmation and note your assigned classroom, seat, and call time. Verify the specific call time and access rules with your centre or the UCLM PAU coordination.
Graphite pencils in several hardnesses
Bring a range such as 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B so you can build both light construction lines and dense tonal areas. Pre-sharpen them and bring a sharpener and sandpaper block.
Erasers and kneaded eraser
A hard plastic eraser for clean corrections and a kneaded eraser for lifting graphite and softening transitions. Do not rely on a single eraser.
Drawing supports (paper)
Confirm with the provider whether the centre supplies the paper or whether you must bring your own. If allowed, bring a small selection of good-quality drawing paper in the sizes permitted by the call; check the official instructions for any size or material restrictions.
Drawing board / support and clips
A rigid board or clipboard plus clips or tape keeps your paper stable. Confirm whether boards are provided in the classroom or must be brought.
Approved dry media
The exam may restrict techniques to graphite or allow charcoal, conté, or coloured media. Read the specific exercise statement on the day and the official call; bring only materials the regulations permit.
Blending and measuring tools
Paper stumps/tortillons, a clean cloth, and a ruler or straightedge for proportion checks and construction lines. A ruler is usually fine for measuring but check any restriction on construction aids.
Watch or small timer
A simple analogue watch or silent timer helps you pace the timed exercise. Confirm whether smartwatches or phones are prohibited in the room; assume they are and plan accordingly.
Water and a light snack
The drawing test can run for several hours. Bring water in a permitted container and a snack for any break; confirm break and food/drink rules with the centre.
Plan your composition before drawing
Reserve the first minutes to read the statement, identify required elements (proportion, perspective, light, composition), and lightly plan the layout. Do not start with heavy, irreversible marks.
Time buffer and transport plan
Arrive with margin for transport delays and room-finding. Late-entry rules vary; confirm the exact cut-off with your centre rather than assuming.
Plan the day
Re-read the official UCLM PAU call and the specific Dibujo Artístico II instructions: duration, paper size, permitted media, and whether supports are provided. Write a one-page materials list and check every item physically. Do two timed practice drawings of roughly the exam length, focusing on proportion, construction, and tonal range rather than finished polish.
Review the typical exercise types (still life, figure or object study, perspective, compositional analysis) and practise a quick thumbnail-composition routine. Prepare and sharpen all pencils, cut paper if you supply it, and pack the materials bag. Confirm your exam centre location, room, and call time.
Do a light, short warm-up sketch only; avoid exhausting your hand. Lay out clothes, ID, registration documents, and the packed materials bag by the door. Check transport routes and set two alarms. Sleep at a normal time; fatigue shows in line control and tonal judgment.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive early. Re-check the bag against the materials list. Keep your hands warm and relaxed. Once seated, arrange tools within reach so you do not waste time searching mid-drawing.
Read the entire statement and any optional questions before drawing. Identify exactly what is being assessed and choose your subject or approach. Do two or three small thumbnail sketches to test composition, then select one.
Block in the overall proportions and placement with light lines. Check relationships (height-to-width, angles, negative spaces) before committing to detail. Keep construction lines light so they can be corrected or erased.
Establish the main value structure: darkest darks, lightest lights, and mid-tones. Refine form and edges. Step back periodically to judge the whole image rather than fixating on one area.
Resolve the focal point and the strongest contrasts, clean up stray construction lines, and check the composition against the statement. Do not introduce major new elements late; consolidate what you have.
Make sure your identifying details are filled in as instructed, the work is labelled correctly, and materials are packed. Hand in exactly what the invigilator requests and confirm any sign-out procedure.
Rules to check
Bring original identification as required by the call; the exact accepted documents and any exceptions must be confirmed with the provider or your exam centre.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, start and end times, and hand-in procedure. Do not begin drawing before the official start signal.
Use only the media and supports permitted by the specific exercise statement and the official PAU regulations. If a material's status is unclear, confirm with the provider before the exam rather than risk disqualification.
Electronic devices, including phones and smartwatches, are generally restricted in the exam room; confirm the exact policy with your centre and leave devices stored as instructed.
Breaks and leaving the room are normally controlled by the invigilator; confirm the specific rules for your centre, as policies on toilet breaks and re-entry vary.
Write only on the designated paper or support. Do not bring pre-prepared drawings or reference material into the room unless the call explicitly allows it.
Scoring is based on the criteria in the official statement, typically including proportion, composition, spatial representation, use of light and shadow, technique, and personal expressiveness; read the statement to see which criteria carry weight.
If you believe there is an error in the statement or a material problem, raise it with the invigilator immediately and follow the official incident procedure; confirm that procedure with the provider in advance.