Canary Islands PAU Design exam-day guide
Canary Islands PAU Design · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID (DNI, passport, or equivalent)
Bring the original physical document, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone. The exact ID types accepted and whether expired documents are rejected should be confirmed with the provider (your school or the university coordinating the PAU) before exam day.
Exam admission slip / registration confirmation
Print or download whatever proof of registration the provider issues. The specific format and whether a printed copy is mandatory vary by call and centre - confirm with the provider.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Design papers are usually answered in ink; bring spares in case one fails. Pencil is normally reserved for rough sketching or diagrams unless the instructions say otherwise.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for construction lines, thumbnails, and diagram work before committing to ink. Keep them in a clear pouch if the centre restricts what is on the desk.
Approved drawing and measuring tools
Ruler, set square, protractor, and compass are standard for design and technical drawing tasks. Check the call's list of permitted materials, since some centres restrict certain instruments.
Colour media only if the call permits them
Markers, coloured pencils, or similar may or may not be allowed depending on the exercise type and centre rules. Confirm the permitted materials list with the provider rather than assuming.
Analogue watch (no smart features)
Many centres do not guarantee a visible clock and prohibit phones and smartwatches at the desk. A plain analogue watch keeps you aware of time without breaching rules.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Hydration matters in a long drawing session. Bottles usually must be transparent and unlabelled; confirm any stricter centre policy.
Know your exact room, building, and arrival time
Check the venue and reporting time on your admission documents the day before. Arrive with margin for access control and seating, as late entry rules are strict and set by the provider.
Leave phones and smart devices outside the exam room
Devices must normally be switched off and stored as instructed. Possession at the desk can be treated as misconduct, so plan where to leave them.
Read the whole paper before starting
Identify optional questions, weighting, and any compulsory parts, then allocate minutes per section before you draw a single line.
Plan a final 5–10 minutes for checking
Verify you have answered every required item, labelled sketches, and written your identifying details as instructed.
Plan the day
Re-read the official call and permitted-materials list for your centre. Confirm the venue, reporting time, and ID requirements with the provider. Assemble pens, drawing tools, and ID in one bag so nothing depends on a last-minute search.
Do one timed dry run of a full design exercise under exam conditions: no notes, fixed time, same tools you will bring. Use it to calibrate how long you spend on ideation, drawing, and annotation, then adjust your time split.
Review your own weak spots rather than new content: composition, proportion, lettering legibility, and clarity of annotations. Rehearse a short checklist you can apply to any brief - problem, concept, form, materials, and presentation.
Pack the bag and lay out clothes and ID. Check transport times and any access restrictions at the venue. Stop intensive study early and sleep at a normal hour; fatigue hurts drawing precision more than extra revision helps.
Skim only summary notes and your timed-run lessons. Do not attempt a new technique or unfamiliar medium the night before.
Eat a proper meal, arrive early, and keep the bag light and compliant. Switch off and stow your phone before entering the building. Use waiting time to settle your breathing and recall your time plan, not to cram.
Read all instructions and questions, note marks per section, and write a minute budget on scrap paper. Identify which parts are compulsory and which are optional before choosing.
Spend a short, fixed block on ideation and thumbnails, then commit to one direction. Work from large shapes to detail, keep linework confident, and label diagrams as you go rather than saving all annotation for the end.
Stop adding new content. Check that every required question is answered, all drawings are labelled, and your identifying details are filled in exactly as instructed.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID specified by the provider; photocopies, digital copies, and expired documents may not be accepted. Confirm the accepted ID types with the provider in advance.
Follow the centre's rules on permitted materials exactly. If an instrument or medium is not explicitly allowed, ask the provider beforehand rather than risking confiscation or a misconduct report.
Phones, smartwatches, and other connected devices must be switched off and stored as instructed; keeping one at your desk can be treated as academic misconduct.
Breaks and leaving the room are normally controlled by invigilators, and extra time is generally not granted for toilet visits. Confirm the centre's break policy if you have a medical need.
Request any permitted accommodation (extra time, separate room, medical provisions) well before the exam through the official channel; arrangements are rarely made on the day.
Answer in the language and format the paper specifies, and show working or annotation where marks depend on process rather than only the final drawing.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for the design exercise; ask your teacher to walk you through how marks are distributed so you can prioritise high-weight sections.
Any suspicion of copying, unauthorised material, or communication with other candidates can lead to annulment of the exercise. If in doubt about a rule, ask an invigilator before acting.