PAU Foreign Language II: English (Castilla-La Mancha) exam-day guide
PAU Foreign Language II: English (Castilla-La Mancha) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID (DNI/NIE/passport)
Bring the original document, valid and unexpired. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photocopy is ever sufficient; assume the original is required.
Exam venue and session confirmation
Re-check the time, building, room and access instructions on your official convocatoria or registration record the day before. Venues and entry doors can change between calls.
Printed or downloaded exam timetable and instructions
Keep the official instructions with you so you can confirm the number of parts, time limits and any permitted materials. Confirm with the provider if any detail is unclear.
Black or blue pens and a pencil with eraser
Bring at least two pens and a pencil in case an answer sheet must be completed by hand or corrected. Check whether corrections must be made in a specific way.
Water in a clear container
A small clear bottle is usually sensible; confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed in the exam room.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you manage the reading and writing sections if the room clock is not visible. Smartwatches and phones must normally be switched off and stored away.
No unauthorised electronic devices
Switch off and put away mobile phones, smartwatches, earbuds and any other devices before entering. Confirm with the provider where devices must be left.
Arrive early
Plan to reach the venue well before the stated start time to allow for ID checks and seating. Confirm with the provider the exact arrival window and late-entry policy.
Know the paper structure
Be ready for the typical structure of a foreign-language exam: reading comprehension, listening, grammar and vocabulary, and written production, possibly followed by an oral component. Confirm with the provider the exact sections, timings and weightings for your call.
Bring your own timing plan
Decide in advance how many minutes to give each section and how long to reserve for checking and for the writing task. Write the plan on your draft sheet at the start.
Transport and backup plan
Check routes, strikes and parking in advance and identify a backup way to arrive. Carry the venue address and a contact number.
Medical or access arrangements
If you need extra time, a separate room or other adjustments, confirm with the provider well before the exam that the arrangement is approved and recorded.
Plan the day
Re-read the official instructions for your call: sections, time limits, permitted materials and oral-test arrangements. Confirm the venue, room and start time. Do one timed mini-simulation of the reading and writing sections under real conditions, then review only your own errors rather than starting new material.
Consolidate rather than cram. Review a short list of high-frequency grammar points (verb tenses, conditionals, passive, reported speech, connectors) and a personal list of linking phrases for the writing task. Practise one listening extract and one short writing under time. Check that your ID is valid and packed.
Prepare your bag: ID, pens, pencil, eraser, water, watch, printed instructions. Charge nothing you cannot take in; switch off and pack away devices. Confirm transport and set two alarms. Do a light review of writing templates and common collocations, then stop early and sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and leave devices switched off and stored. Before entering, remind yourself of your timing plan and the order in which you will attempt sections. Read the front-page instructions carefully once seated and check the total marks and any choice of questions.
Read all instructions and check the number of questions and any optional items. Note the end time and divide the paper into blocks. Start with the reading section, skimming each text for the main idea before answering detail questions.
Work through grammar and vocabulary efficiently; do not spend too long on one item. For listening, read the questions before each extract if the format allows, and note key words. Mark uncertain answers and return to them if time permits.
Reserve a fixed block for the written production. Plan for two or three minutes, write to the required word count and register, use clear paragraphs and connectors, then leave time to check agreement, tense consistency, spelling and punctuation.
Check that every answer is transferred correctly, that no question is blank, and that your name and candidate details are filled in as instructed. Stop writing immediately when time is called.
If there is an oral component, confirm with the provider its time, place and format, and use the interval to rehearse a short self-introduction and common topic questions. Otherwise, note any questions for your teacher and rest.
Rules to check
Bring valid original identification and present it when requested. If you are unsure which documents are accepted or whether a document is valid, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Arrive at the stated time. Late entry, and whether a candidate who arrives late may sit the paper, is governed by the provider's rules; confirm with the provider rather than assuming you will be admitted.
Switch off and store all electronic devices, including phones, smartwatches and earbuds, as instructed. Using an unauthorised device or material during the exam may lead to disqualification.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not look at others' papers. Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times.
Use only materials the provider permits. Dictionaries, notes and electronic aids are normally restricted; confirm with the provider what, if anything, is allowed for your call.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator. Whether toilet breaks are allowed and whether you are escorted or supervised is set by the provider; confirm with the provider.
Write your answers in the required format and place. Answers written outside the designated spaces or on unauthorised sheets may not be marked.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for your call, including the weighting of reading, listening, grammar and vocabulary, and written and oral production. Confirm with the provider the exact weighting, pass mark and any minimum section requirements, as these vary between calls.