Canary Islands PAU Artistic Foundations Exam exam-day guide
Canary Islands PAU Artistic Foundations Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original photo ID (DNI, passport, or equivalent) that matches your exam registration. Do not rely on a photocopy or a photo on your phone. If your registration was made with a document that has since expired or changed, confirm with the provider which document they will accept before exam day.
Exam admission/registration proof
Print or download any confirmation, receipt, or admission document the examining body issues after you register. Some calls require you to present it at the door; confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or whether a digital version is accepted.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written papers are usually answered in ink. Bring two working pens of the same colour plus a spare, and check they write before you leave home. Pencil is normally reserved for diagrams or rough work, so confirm with the provider what is allowed on your specific paper.
Pencils, sharpener, and eraser
Useful for sketching, construction lines, and rough drafts before committing to ink. Do not assume they are provided.
Approved drawing and measuring instruments
Ruler, set square, protractor, and compass are standard for the technical drawing and geometry parts of the Artistic Foundations paper. Confirm with the provider which instruments are permitted, since rules on templates and specialised tools vary.
Dry drawing media (graphite pencils, coloured pencils)
Some practical exercises ask for tonal or colour work. Bring a small, familiar set rather than a new one you have never used. Confirm with the provider whether wet media, fixative sprays, or solvents are banned for safety reasons.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many venues require materials to be visible. A transparent case avoids problems at the door and speeds up checks.
Water in a clear bottle, and a small snack
Practical papers can run long. Keep the bottle label-free if the venue requires it. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk.
Watch (non-smart)
Do not assume there is a visible clock in the room. A plain analogue or digital watch without connectivity is usually acceptable; smartwatches are almost always prohibited. Confirm with the provider.
Know your venue, room, and arrival time
Check the call or your registration documents for the exact building, room, and reporting time. Do a route rehearsal if you can. Arrive early; late-entry rules are strict and are set by the provider, so confirm the cut-off time with them.
Read the paper instructions before writing
Check the number of questions or exercises, the marks for each, whether there is a choice, and whether rough work must be handed in or crossed out. Allocate time on the basis of marks, not on the order the questions appear.
Leave prohibited devices at home or switched off and stored
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and earbuds are typically banned at the desk. Confirm with the provider where devices must be stored and what happens if one is found.
Plan the day
Confirm the logistics: venue address, room, reporting time, and the documents required at the door. Re-read the official call for the paper structure, the duration, and the list of permitted materials. Rehearse the practical routines you will actually use: quick tonal studies, colour mixing, and fast technical drawing with ruler and compass, each under a timer. Practise reading a prompt and writing a short plan in two or three minutes before starting. Prepare and pack your materials kit once, and use only that kit in your final practice so nothing feels unfamiliar on the day.
Do light revision only: review your own summary of key concepts, typical mistakes, and the composition and drawing routines you trust. Do not start new topics or buy unfamiliar materials. Lay out everything from the checklist in one place: ID, admission document, pens, pencils, instruments, transparent case, water, watch. Check transport times and set two alarms. Eat normally, avoid late-night cramming, and get a full night's sleep; fatigue costs more marks in a practical paper than one extra hour of revision gains.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the venue with margin, allowing for transport delays and security checks. Re-check that your ID and admission document are with you before leaving. Keep your phone off and stored as instructed once you enter the building. In the minutes before the paper starts, do not try to learn new content; instead remind yourself of your time plan and your first steps for each type of exercise.
Fill in your personal details exactly as they appear on your ID. Read the whole paper before writing: note the number of exercises, the marks, and any choice. Write a short time budget in the margin, reserving the last ten to fifteen minutes for checking. Start with the exercise you can execute most confidently, but do not overrun its allotted time.
Work in the order your time plan set, and move on when a block of time ends even if the exercise is unfinished; partial work usually earns partial credit. Keep drawings clean and labelled, show construction lines where they are expected, and make sure any written justification is legible. If you need to leave the room, follow the invigilator's instructions; confirm with the provider in advance what the rules on breaks and escorted exits are. Near the end, check that every required exercise is attempted, that your name and details are correct, and that rough work is handled as the instructions require.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID document that matches your registration and keep it on the desk if instructed. If your document is expired, provisional, or different from the one you registered with, confirm with the provider before exam day what will be accepted; do not assume a photocopy or a digital copy will be allowed.
Follow the reporting time and late-entry rules set by the examining body. Arrival cut-offs and the conditions for admitting a late candidate vary, so confirm with the provider rather than relying on what happened at another centre or in another year.
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and other connected devices must normally be switched off and stored where the invigilator directs. Do not keep any device on your person at the desk. If you are unsure where devices go, ask before the paper begins.
Use only the materials the official call permits. If you want to bring a specialised tool, template, or medium not explicitly listed, confirm with the provider in advance; bringing a prohibited item can lead to it being confiscated or to disciplinary action.
Breaks and leaving the room are controlled by the invigilator. If you need to leave for medical or other reasons, raise your hand and wait for instructions. Confirm with the provider in advance whether any supervised break arrangements are available.
Scoring is based on the official marking criteria for each exercise, so read the marks and the required format carefully: an unattempted exercise normally scores zero, and incomplete work usually earns partial credit. Do not leave blanks where a short attempt is possible.
Any suspicion of copying, unauthorised communication, or use of prohibited material is handled under the examining body's disciplinary rules. Keep your work covered, do not look at other candidates' papers, and address any concern to the invigilator rather than to other candidates.
If something goes wrong on the day, such as illness, a missing document, or a disruption in the room, tell the invigilator immediately and ask how it will be recorded. Then confirm with the provider afterwards what evidence or procedure is needed to request any special consideration; do not assume it will be granted automatically.