PAU Mathematics II (Castilla-La Mancha) exam-day guide
PAU Mathematics II (Castilla-La Mancha) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or passport (original, valid)
Bring your national identity document or passport in original form; photocopies are generally not accepted for identification at PAU exams. Confirm with your school or the university coordinating the call which documents are accepted, since rules can vary by venue.
Exam call / registration receipt
Bring the proof of registration or the confirmation of the subjects you are sitting. Keep it printed or saved offline on your phone; you may be asked to show it when finding your assigned room.
Printed exam schedule and room list
Know the exact building and room assigned to you for each session and the start time of each paper. Venues and timetables are published by the university coordinating the PAU; check the official notice for your province and print it.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write with ink, not pencil, on the answer sheets unless a specific section instructs otherwise. Bring spares; a pen that runs out mid-exam wastes time you cannot recover.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough work, diagrams and graphs in mathematics. Some tasks may require pencil for constructions; confirm the instructions on the cover of the paper.
Ruler, set square and protractor
Geometry and vector problems may ask for a drawing or a measured angle. A straightedge and a small protractor add little weight and can save marks on a sketch-based question.
Approved calculator
Check the current PAU rules and the specific instructions for your subject on what calculator models are permitted. Do not assume a graphing or programmable model is allowed; if in doubt, confirm with the provider or your school and bring a simple scientific model as backup.
Analog watch
Mobile phones are usually not permitted as timekeepers in the exam room. Bring a simple watch so you can pace yourself without relying on the invigilator's announcements.
Clear water bottle, no label
Staying hydrated helps concentration over a long session. Remove labels and avoid bottles with printed text that could be mistaken for notes; confirm local rules on drinks in the room.
Light snack for between sessions
If you have two papers in one day, bring something quick to eat between them. Sessions can be close together, and leaving the venue to buy food may not be practical.
Phone turned off and stored as instructed
Switch off your phone before entering the room and leave it where the invigilators indicate. Even a silent phone can be treated as a serious irregularity if it is on your person during the exam.
Know the scoring and choice structure before you sit
Review how each paper is structured (for example, whether there are optional questions and how they are weighted) from the official model papers and instructions. This is not something to work out for the first time in the exam room.
Plan the day
Stop learning new material. Re-read your formula sheet and worked examples for each subject, focusing on the topics where you lose the most marks. Do one timed past-paper section per subject under exam conditions, then mark it honestly and note the error types: algebra slips, misread questions, units, or unfinished parts. Sleep on a regular schedule; do not plan all-nighters in the final three days.
Confirm the practical logistics: exact venue, room, session times, and how you will travel there. Check the official PAU notice for your province for any last-minute changes. Pack your bag with ID, pens, pencil, ruler, calculator, watch and water bottle. Prepare your calculator the night before: fresh batteries if it uses them, and make sure you know how to use the functions you rely on without hunting through menus.
Do light revision only: read summaries, formula lists and your own error log. Do not attempt a full new past paper. Lay out clothes and your packed bag. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at a reasonable hour. Set two alarms. If you have an afternoon session, avoid scheduling anything demanding in the morning.
Eat breakfast, even if you feel nervous. Arrive at the venue well before the start time, allowing a margin for transport delays and for finding the room. Keep your ID and registration proof accessible. Once seated, read the cover instructions carefully: number of questions, choice rules, time allowed, and any subject-specific instructions about calculators or answer sheet format.
Read the whole paper before writing. Identify which optional questions you will answer and which you will leave, and check that your choices satisfy the paper's rules. Note the marks per question and allocate time accordingly; a short high-mark question deserves priority over a long low-mark one. Start with a question you can do confidently to settle your nerves.
Show your working: method marks are often available even when the final answer is wrong. Write clearly and box or underline final answers. If you get stuck, leave a gap and move on; return later. Watch the clock at the halfway point and again with fifteen minutes left, and use the final minutes to check that you have answered the required number of questions and filled in any answer sheet correctly.
Do not spend time comparing answers with others; it will not change your mark and can undermine your confidence for the next paper. Move on, eat, rest, and prepare only the next subject. If you have no further papers, keep your registration documents until results are published.
Rules to check
Bring original ID and keep it on your desk if instructed. If you have lost it, contact the coordinating university or your school as early as possible; the procedure for exceptional cases must be confirmed with the provider, not assumed.
Phones and smart devices must be switched off and left outside your reach as directed. Having a device on your person during the exam can be treated as a serious irregularity regardless of whether you used it.
Calculators and other materials are permitted only as specified in the current PAU instructions for your subject. Confirm the approved models and any restrictions with the provider before the exam day.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not look at another candidate's paper. Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator if you need to speak, need paper, or feel unwell.
Write in the language and format required by each paper. If a question offers a choice, answer only the required number; extra answers may not be marked, so follow the cover instructions exactly.
Leaving the room before the permitted time may not be allowed; confirm the rules for your venue with the invigilators at the start. If you must leave temporarily, you will normally be accompanied.
Scoring follows the official criteria for each subject, including method marks and penalties for serious errors where applicable. Read the published marking guidance for your subjects rather than guessing how marks are awarded.
Any suspected irregularity will be handled under the official PAU procedure. If something goes wrong during the exam, tell an invigilator immediately and ask for it to be recorded, rather than dealing with it afterwards from memory.