Canary Islands PAU Mathematics II / Matemáticas II COPAU ULPGC ULL exam-day guide
Canary Islands PAU Mathematics II / Matemáticas II COPAU ULPGC ULL · 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 identity document must be valid and unexpired. If you have any doubt about which documents the tribunal will accept for your call, confirm with the provider (the university or the Comisión Organizadora de la PAU) well before the exam day.
Exam call / registration confirmation (resguardo de matrícula)
Print or download the proof of registration for the PAU showing your name, the subjects you are sitting, and your assigned centre and classroom. Some centres publish lists of candidates and rooms a few days before; check the ULPGC or ULL PAU website for your call. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Know your assigned centre, building, and classroom
The PAU is usually held at the university campus or an assigned secondary school. Locate the exact building and room in advance and plan the route. Arrive with margin for queues at the entrance and ID checks. Room assignments are published by the organising commission; verify yours on the official listing.
Approved calculator and spare batteries
Mathematics II allows a scientific calculator, but the permitted models and functions are set by the organising commission each year. Check the current PAU instructions for the Canary Islands and confirm with the provider whether your model is allowed. Bring spare batteries and, if possible, a second calculator of the same permitted type.
Geometric drawing instruments
Ruler, set square (escuadra y cartabón), protractor, compass, and a sharp pencil with eraser. These are standard for graphing functions, drawing regions, and geometry problems. A pencil is useful for sketches even if final answers must be in ink.
Blue or black pens (at least two)
Write final answers in ink. Bring more than one pen in case one fails. Avoid erasable ink if the instructions require indelible writing; confirm with the provider if unsure.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many exam centres require transparent containers so invigilators can check materials quickly. Pack only what you need: pens, pencil, eraser, instruments, calculator, and ID.
Analogue watch (no smartwatch)
Phones and smart devices are usually prohibited at the desk. A simple analogue or non-connected digital watch lets you manage time. Confirm with the provider whether any clock is visible in the room.
Water in a clear bottle and a light snack
The exam is long and mentally demanding. A transparent bottle and a small snack for before or after the test help, subject to the centre's rules. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk.
Review the official instructions and permitted materials list
Read the current PAU instructions for the Canary Islands, including the structure of the Mathematics II paper, the duration, and the permitted materials. Confirm with the provider if any item is unclear; do not rely on rumours from previous years.
Prepare your formula and method summary
A one-page personal summary of key formulas (derivatives, integrals, matrices, probability, vectors, geometry) is useful for the final revision. Do not bring unauthorised notes into the exam room; use it only for study before the test.
Plan transport and a backup
Check public transport schedules or arrange a lift, and identify a backup route. Traffic or a delayed bus is a common cause of late arrival. Aim to be at the centre well before the call time.
Plan the day
Review your summary sheets and redo a small number of past PAU Mathematics II papers under timed conditions. Focus on the question types that appear most often: matrix algebra and systems, limits and continuity, derivatives and optimisation, integrals and areas, vectors and geometry in space, and probability and statistics. Check your errors against the official solutions and note the method, not just the answer. Confirm the exam centre, room, and start time on the official listing.
Test your calculator, replace batteries, and confirm it is a permitted model. Pack pens, pencil, instruments, ID, and registration proof in one place. Plan the route and travel time. Sleep on a normal schedule; do not trade sleep for extra study in the last two nights.
Do a short, calm review of formulas and common pitfalls: signs in integration, domains of functions, consistency of linear systems, vector products, and normal-distribution standardisation. Avoid a full mock exam the day before; it can increase anxiety. Prepare clothes and bag, set an alarm, and get a full night's sleep.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the centre with enough margin for ID checks and finding the room. Keep your materials minimal and organised. Avoid last-minute discussions with other candidates about difficult topics, which can undermine confidence. Use the waiting time to breathe and mentally rehearse your time plan.
Spend the first few minutes reading all questions and the instructions. Note the marks and the choice structure, if any, and decide which questions to answer. Confirm whether there is an optional block or a choice between questions, and follow the instructions exactly.
Allocate time in proportion to marks and stick to it. Start with questions you can do confidently to secure marks, then return to harder ones. If a question stalls, leave a clear gap, move on, and come back. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve the last ten to fifteen minutes for checking.
Write the reasoning, not just the final result, because method marks are usually awarded. State the result clearly, with units or conditions where relevant. Check arithmetic, signs, domains, and whether the answer makes sense in context. Make sure your name and candidate details are on every sheet and that you have answered the required number of questions.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid photo ID and your registration proof. Candidates without acceptable identification may be refused entry or have their exam annulled. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted for your call.
Follow the invigilators' instructions at all times. They control entry, seating, the start and end of the exam, and the collection of papers. Do not start writing before the signal or continue after the final signal.
Electronic devices, including mobile phones and smartwatches, must be switched off and stored away as instructed. Using or even having an unauthorised device accessible during the exam can lead to disqualification. Confirm with the provider where devices should be left.
Only permitted materials may be on the desk. Check the official list for Mathematics II, especially the calculator rules, and confirm with the provider if your model or function is unclear. Unauthorised notes or devices are treated as academic misconduct.
Breaks and leaving the room are usually restricted during the exam. If you need to leave for an emergency, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator. Confirm with the provider the exact policy on breaks and re-entry.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for the subject, including method marks and penalties for serious errors. The final grade and the relationship between the PAU score and access to university are set by the organising commission; check the official information rather than relying on unofficial sources.
Academic integrity applies: no copying, no communication with other candidates, and no attempts to obtain or share questions during the exam. Any irregularity is reported and can affect your entire PAU result.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or an incident during the exam, report it to the invigilator immediately and follow the official claims procedure. Confirm with the provider the deadlines and channels for any formal claim.