Canary PAU English exam-day guide
Canary PAU English · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID
Bring the original, unexpired identity document the test centre requires. For Canary Islands PAU, students normally register through their secondary school and sit the exam at an assigned centre, so check with your school or the Consejería de Educación whether a DNI/NIE or another document is expected and whether a copy is acceptable. Confirm with the provider before exam day.
Exam registration or seat confirmation
Carry whatever document your school or the university coordination office issues to confirm your registration and assigned centre/sede. The exact format varies by island and year; confirm with the provider what you must show at the door.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Spanish exams are written by hand. Bring spare pens that write cleanly; ink colour requirements can vary by centre, so check locally.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough work, diagrams, or any multiple-choice answer sheet. Keep them in a clear case if your centre restricts pencil cases.
Ruler and, if permitted, a scientific calculator
Calculator rules differ by subject and by centre for PAU. Confirm with your school which calculator model is allowed for your mathematics or science papers, and whether it must be brought with a cleared memory.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Many exam rooms have a clock but not always in your line of sight. A simple analogue watch helps you pace the writing time. Smart watches and phones are usually prohibited.
Clear water bottle with the label removed
Stay hydrated without distracting yourself. Some centres restrict bottles or labels; check the room rules on arrival.
Printed exam timetable and your subject list
Write down which papers you sit, in which room, and at what time. PAU schedules are published by the university coordination office for each province; keep a copy in your bag.
Leaves your phone at home or switched off in your bag
Phones and smart devices are typically banned from the exam table. If you must bring one, switch it off completely and store it away from your desk as the invigilator instructs.
Know your route and arrival time
Plan to arrive at the assigned centre well before the call time; late entry rules are set by the centre. Do a trial journey if the venue is unfamiliar.
Sleep, food and medication routine
Treat exam day like an athletic event: normal sleep, a real breakfast, and any prescribed medication. Avoid trying new energy drinks on the day.
Confirm the language of your English paper
The Canary PAU foreign-language paper is delivered in English with tasks such as reading comprehension, grammar/vocabulary and a written composition. Re-read the instructions at the start of the paper so you answer in the required language and format.
Plan the day
Download and print the official exam calendar and your centre assignment. Reconcile every subject you are registered for against the timetable, note room numbers and call times, and flag any clash to your school immediately. Then switch from learning new content to consolidating: review your summary sheets for each subject and make a one-page list of formulas, dates, or structures you tend to forget.
Do one timed practice paper for English under exam conditions: reading comprehension first, then the grammar/vocabulary section, then the writing task. Mark it yourself with a rubric, and identify the two or three error types that cost you most marks (for example, verb tenses in the composition, or missing justification in comprehension answers). Write a short correction checklist you will re-read on the morning of the exam.
Prepare your exam kit and clothes. Put ID, pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, watch and any permitted calculator in one bag. Check the calculator works and has fresh batteries. Decide on comfortable layers, since exam rooms can be hot or cold, and confirm transport arrangements with whoever is taking you or with public transport timetables.
Stop cramming new material. Re-read only your summary sheets and the English correction checklist. Practise one short composition outline (introduction, two body points, conclusion) so the structure is automatic. Set out your clothes and bag by the door, charge nothing you will not need, and switch your phone to silent early.
Eat a normal dinner, avoid alcohol and heavy caffeine, and go to bed at your usual time. If you feel anxious, write down your three biggest worries and one practical action for each; this reduces rumination. Do not stay up reviewing past papers you have already marked.
Eat breakfast, drink water, and leave with time to spare. Re-read your one-page correction checklist and formula sheet for ten minutes only. At the centre, find your room, check the seating list, and keep away from last-minute group panic about answers. Have your ID ready and follow the invigilator's instructions about bags and phones.
Read the whole paper before writing. Allocate minutes per section and stick to them; for English, leave at least five minutes to proofread the composition for tense, agreement, spelling and word count. Answer every required question, write legibly, and number your answers exactly as the paper asks. If you run out of time, write brief bullet points rather than leaving a blank, and use any permitted extra sheets as instructed.
Do not post-mortem with classmates between papers. Move to the next subject, eat something, and reset. Save detailed reflection for after the whole exam period.
Rules to check
Bring the identification document your centre requires and keep it on the desk if instructed. If you are unsure whether a DNI, NIE, passport or school document is accepted, confirm with the provider or your school before the exam.
Arrive before the call time. Admission of late candidates is at the discretion of the centre and the exam coordination office, so do not rely on being allowed in after the doors close; confirm the exact rule with the provider.
Phones, smart watches and any connected devices must be switched off and stored away from your desk as the invigilator directs. A device found on you during the exam can lead to annulment of your paper, so leave it at home if possible.
Only bring materials the paper permits. For subjects where a calculator, dictionary, formulary or drawing instruments are allowed, use only the type approved for that subject; if the rule is unclear, confirm with the provider rather than guessing.
Write in the language and format the paper requires. In the English exam, answer comprehension questions in English and produce the composition in English within the stated word limit; answers in the wrong language may not be marked.
Breaks and leaving the room are controlled by the invigilator. Typically you may not leave during the first part of the exam and must be accompanied if you leave; the exact policy varies by centre, so confirm with the provider.
Scoring is anonymous and based on the official answer criteria for each subject; the foreign-language paper is marked on comprehension, language accuracy and written expression. Do not write your name where anonymity is required, and follow all labelling instructions.
Academic honesty applies throughout: no communication with other candidates, no unauthorised notes, and no attempt to access materials during the exam. Suspected irregularities are reported and can affect your whole PAU result.