Canary Islands PAU Geography exam-day guide
Canary Islands PAU Geography · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo ID (DNI, passport, or NIE)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether the document must be the one you registered with.
Exam admission/registration confirmation
Print or download the document showing your assigned seat, classroom, and call time. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital version is accepted.
Know your exact venue, building, and room
Universities in the Canary Islands often run the PAU across several campuses or faculties. Check the published distribution list a few days before the exam and verify which building and room your surname falls under.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Answers are handwritten. Bring spare pens of the same colour; avoid pencil for final answers unless the instructions for a specific section say otherwise.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for rough work, sketches, and any diagrams. Keep final written answers in ink.
Ruler and basic drawing equipment
A graduated ruler is useful for maps, cross-sections, and graph axes in Geography. A set square or protractor may help with climographs and profiles.
Simple calculator (if permitted for your subjects)
Confirm with the provider which calculator model is allowed and whether it applies to your exam subjects. Do not assume it is permitted in the Geography paper.
Analogue wristwatch
Exam rooms may not have a visible clock, and phones must be switched off and stored. Confirm with the provider that a plain watch is allowed.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed in the room and in what form.
No phone, smartwatch, or notes on you
Leave devices switched off and out of reach as instructed. Carrying unauthorised material, even unused, can lead to disqualification.
Read the official exam instructions for your region and year
Structure, optionality, and timing can change between years. Download the current instructions and the model papers from the official source; confirm with the provider if anything is unclear.
Plan your transport and arrival time
Island traffic, interurban buses, and parking near campus can cause delays. Aim to arrive with margin before the call time; confirm with the provider how late arrival is handled.
Plan the day
Download and read the current official instructions for the Geography paper: number of questions, sections, optionality, and time allowed. Re-read the assessment criteria so you know how location, terminology, and reasoning are rewarded.
Do one full timed practice paper under exam conditions: no notes, handwriting, using only the permitted materials. Mark it against the criteria and list the three weakest areas.
Revise the highest-yield Geography content: map and graph reading, climatic and geomorphological vocabulary, and the case examples you will use for the Canary Islands. Prepare short, memorised outlines rather than full essays.
Check the venue distribution list, your room assignment, and the call time. Confirm transport and, if needed, accommodation. Sleep on a normal schedule; do not shift to all-night study.
Pack your bag with ID, admission document, pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, watch, and water, and leave it by the door. Re-check the ID against your registration details.
Do a light review only: key definitions, the structure of a climate commentary, and how to describe a map or landscape. Stop studying early enough to sleep well.
Set two alarms, check the weather and travel time, and confirm the exact building entrance. Eat normally and avoid new caffeine levels on exam day.
Eat a proper breakfast, take your packed bag, and arrive at the venue before the call time. Switch off your phone and put it away before entering the building.
Once seated, check that your name and details on the answer sheet are correct, read the cover instructions, and note the start and end times.
Spend the first few minutes reading all questions and choosing your options deliberately. Allocate minutes per question and keep a margin at the end for checking.
Answer in the required order and clearly label each question and section. Write legibly, use correct geographical terminology, and support statements with specific evidence or examples.
For map, graph, or image-based questions, describe location and patterns first, then explain processes and causes, then add consequences or contrasts. Use the vocabulary of the topic.
Leave the last five to ten minutes to check that every chosen question is answered, numbering is correct, and no answer is left in rough notes only.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID accepted by the provider and keep it on the desk throughout the exam. Confirm with the provider which documents are valid and what happens if you forget yours.
Follow the call time and seating instructions. Arrival after the start may be handled differently depending on the provider; confirm with the provider in advance rather than assuming you will be admitted.
Phones, smartwatches, and any other electronic devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. Unauthorised material in your possession can lead to removal from the exam.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not look at others' papers. Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator if you need anything.
Write final answers in the answer booklet provided, in the required ink, and label questions clearly. Rough work should be separated or crossed out as instructed.
Use only the materials permitted for the paper. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator, dictionary, or any aid is allowed in your subjects.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and follow the invigilator's instructions. Confirm with the provider the rules on breaks and on leaving before the end of the exam.
Scoring follows the official assessment criteria for the paper. Read how each question is marked, and confirm with the provider any details about weighting, optionality, or appeals that are not stated in the published instructions.