Catalonia PAU Artistic Drawing II exam-day guide
Catalonia PAU Artistic Drawing II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid photo ID (DNI, passport, or NIE)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted for your call and whether the document must match the one used at registration.
Exam call/session confirmation and seat assignment
Print or download the official convocatòria showing date, time, venue, and any seat or classroom information. Confirm the exact reporting time with the provider, as it is usually earlier than the start of the exercise.
Graphite pencils in several hardnesses (e.g., 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B)
Bring duplicates of the grades you rely on most. Sharpen them in advance and carry a small sharpener and sandpaper block or cutter; confirm with the provider whether blades are allowed in the room.
Erasers: soft vinyl plus a kneaded eraser
A kneaded eraser is useful for lifting graphite without damaging the paper. Also consider a precision eraser or eraser pencil for small corrections.
Blending and mark-making tools
Paper stumps/tortillons, a clean cloth, and cotton buds. Confirm with the provider whether any of these are restricted; if in doubt, keep them simple and non-messy.
Drawing supports and boards
A rigid board or clipboard slightly larger than your paper, plus low-tack tape or clips to fix the sheet. Confirm with the provider whether tape is permitted on the exam paper, since some centres forbid adhesive on the sheet.
Approved paper
In many PAU drawing exams the centre supplies the sheet and you may not bring your own. Confirm with the provider whether paper is provided and whether any additional support is allowed.
Watch (non-smart, silent)
Many rooms lack a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch without connectivity is safest; confirm with the provider whether smartwatches are banned (they usually are).
Clear water bottle and a light snack
Bring a transparent bottle without a label. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk during the exercise.
Transport and arrival plan
Check the venue location, access route, and travel time the day before. Aim to arrive well before the reporting time to absorb queues and ID checks.
Review of the official instructions and scoring criteria
Re-read the published exam structure and marking criteria for Drawing II, including weighting of composition, representation, and technique. Confirm the current structure with the provider, as it can change between calls.
Personal medication, glasses, and any approved accommodation documentation
If you have an approved accommodation, bring the documentation the provider requires. Confirm with the provider what proof is needed and how to present it on the day.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: venue, reporting time, ID requirements, and what materials the centre supplies versus what you must bring. Re-read the official exam structure and the scoring criteria so your practice matches what is assessed. Do one or two timed full exercises under real conditions (same paper size, same time limit, no pauses) and review them against the criteria rather than by feel. Prepare and sharpen your kit, check pencil grades, and set aside the exact materials you will carry.
Stop heavy practice; do light warm-up sketches only, such as quick proportion and value studies, to keep your hand active without fatigue. Pack the bag using your checklist and place it by the door. Charge nothing that is banned; instead remove smart devices from the kit. Check transport again for disruptions and set two alarms. Sleep at your normal time; avoid an all-night session, since drawing performance depends heavily on fine motor control and sustained attention.
Eat a normal meal and arrive at the venue with margin before the reporting time. Keep the kit organised so ID checks are quick. Once seated, arrange pencils by grade, set up your board, and confirm the paper orientation and any instructions on the sheet. Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions about timing, permitted materials, and how to submit.
Read every instruction and the full statement before drawing. Identify exactly what is being asked (representation, composition, technique, analysis) and note the time budget. Do a few small thumbnail sketches to test composition and viewpoint, then commit to one. Mark key proportions and the main axes lightly before adding detail.
Build the drawing in stages: general structure and proportion first, then form and value, then detail and accents. Step back periodically to check the whole sheet rather than only the area under your hand. Protect your time budget and leave room for the final pass; do not overwork one zone at the expense of the composition.
Refine contrasts, clean up construction lines where appropriate, and check that the drawing answers the brief. Verify your name and identifying details are where the instructions require them. Stop when instructed and submit exactly as the invigilator directs; confirm with the provider in advance how works are collected and whether any part must be labelled.
Rules to check
Bring the original valid photo ID required by the call and keep it on the desk for inspection; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether the name must match your registration exactly.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on permitted materials. Do not bring notes, reference images, or pre-prepared drawings into the room unless the instructions explicitly allow them; confirm with the provider what counts as permitted reference material.
Electronic devices, including phones and smartwatches, are generally not allowed at the desk. Confirm with the provider where devices must be stored and whether any exception applies.
Work only on the paper and format specified, and do not alter or remove any pre-printed elements on the sheet. Confirm with the provider whether the sheet is supplied and whether any additional support may be used.
Respect the time limit strictly. Plan for the announced start and end, and stop drawing immediately when instructed; continuing after the call to stop can be treated as a breach of conduct.
Breaks and leaving the room are usually controlled by the invigilator. Confirm with the provider whether breaks are allowed during the exercise and what procedure applies if you need to leave and return.
Scoring follows the published criteria for the exercise, which typically weigh representation, composition, and technical execution. Confirm the current weighting and rubric with the provider rather than relying on past calls.
Any accommodation must be approved in advance and supported by the required documentation. Confirm with the provider the deadline and the evidence needed; requests raised on the day may not be accepted.