Canary Islands PAU German II exam-day guide
Canary Islands PAU German II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo ID (DNI, passport, or NIE card)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone. The name must match the name on your exam registration. Carry it in the same bag as your pens so you cannot forget it.
Exam venue, room, and start time confirmed in writing
Check your registration or call slip for the exact building, floor, and call time. Canary Islands venues are spread across islands and campuses, so confirm the location the day before; if anything is unclear, confirm with the provider.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write the whole paper in ink, not pencil, unless the instructions say otherwise. Bring a spare because a pen that runs dry mid-essay costs time you cannot recover.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for planning outlines and for any multiple-choice or grid answer sheet. Keep them in a clear pouch so they are quick to reach.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock, and phones must be off and out of reach. A plain analogue or digital watch lets you pace the reading, grammar, and writing sections.
Clear water bottle with the label removed
Hydration helps during a long paper. Many venues allow only transparent bottles with no label; if you are unsure what is permitted, confirm with the provider.
Printed copy of the exam instructions and timing
Know in advance how many questions there are, the total time, and whether sections have separate answer sheets. Having the structure in your head prevents wasted minutes.
A one-page summary of German grammar and connectors
Revise case endings, verb position in main and subordinate clauses, and a list of connectors (weil, obwohl, deshalb, trotzdem). Review it in the final hour before entering, then put it away.
Leave your phone and smart devices at home or switched off in your bag
A ringing or vibrating phone during the exam can lead to disqualification. If you must bring it, switch it off completely and place it where the invigilator instructs.
Plan your travel to arrive at least 30 minutes early
Traffic, inter-island ferries, and parking can delay you. Arriving early gives time for ID checks and seating without panic.
Sleep, breakfast, and a light snack
A long language paper demands sustained concentration. Eat something before you go in and bring a small snack for after the exam, not during it unless the provider allows it.
Plan the day
Re-read the official exam structure and mark scheme. Confirm the number of questions, the time limit, and how the writing task is scored. Then do one full timed practice paper under exam conditions, using only a pen and a watch, and mark it honestly against the criteria.
Target your weakest area. If grammar costs you marks, drill case endings, adjective declensions, and subordinate-clause word order. If writing is weaker, practise planning a short text in five minutes: introduction, two body points, conclusion, and a set of connectors you will actually use.
Do light revision only: your one-page grammar summary, a list of useful connectors, and a few reading passages. Pack your bag with ID, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, and water. Check the venue and travel route. Go to bed at a normal hour rather than revising late.
Eat breakfast and arrive at the venue at least 30 minutes before the call time. Skim your grammar summary once, then put it away. Switch off your phone before entering the building. Have your ID ready for inspection.
Read the instructions on the cover carefully. Check the total number of pages and that nothing is missing. Write your name and candidate details exactly as instructed. Note the start and finish times on your watch and divide the time across sections, leaving 10 minutes at the end to check.
Answer the questions you find easiest first to secure marks, then return to harder items. For reading, underline the key words in the question before searching the text. For writing, spend a few minutes on an outline, write in clear German, and reserve time to check verb endings, articles, and capitalisation of nouns.
Check that every answer is transferred to the correct answer sheet, that no question is blank, and that your name and candidate number are filled in. Correct obvious grammar slips in the writing task rather than rewriting whole sentences.
Rules to check
Bring original official photo ID. A photocopy, an expired document, or an image on a phone is normally not accepted. If you are unsure which documents are valid for your venue, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Arrive by the stated call time. Candidates who arrive late may be admitted or refused at the invigilator's discretion; if you are delayed, contact the venue as soon as possible.
Phones, smartwatches, and any other electronic devices must be switched off and stored out of reach for the whole exam. Using or even holding one during the test can lead to disqualification.
Only permitted materials may be on your desk: pens, pencil, eraser, sharpener, ID, and water if allowed. Notes, dictionaries, and grammar summaries must be put away before you enter; if you are unsure whether a dictionary is permitted, confirm with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the exam has started, and do not look at another candidate's paper. Raise your hand and wait for the invigilator if you need anything.
Breaks are usually not permitted during the exam, and leaving the room may not be allowed until you finish. If you have a medical need for a break, arrange it in advance with the provider.
Write in the language and format the instructions require. Answers in the wrong language or on the wrong answer sheet may not be marked. Follow the word limit for the writing task, since exceeding it can cost marks.
Stop writing immediately when time is called and hand in all materials, including rough paper. Keep your ID visible until you leave the room, and do not discuss the questions with other candidates outside the hall.