Catalonia PAU Chemistry exam-day guide
Catalonia PAU Chemistry · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the identity document (DNI, passport, or equivalent) that matches the name on your registration. The exact document accepted and whether a photocopy suffices should be confirmed with your school or the coordinating university before exam day.
Exam admission/registration confirmation
Carry whatever proof of registration or assignment to the exam venue your centre issues. If you are unsure whether a printed receipt is required, confirm with the provider; keep a printed copy as a precaution.
Blue or black pens (at least two)
Write answers in ink. Bring two working pens of the same colour plus a spare refill; pencil is normally only for diagrams or rough work, so verify any specific instrument rules with the provider.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for graphs, structural formulas, and rough calculations. Keep rough work clearly separated from final answers.
Approved scientific calculator
Check the permitted calculator model list published with the exam instructions; programmable or graphing models may be restricted. Confirm the current list with the provider and clear any stored programs if required.
Ruler and set square
Needed for graphs, vector diagrams, and titration or kinetics plots. A transparent ruler is safest.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms may not display a clock, and phones are not allowed at your desk. A simple analogue or basic digital watch helps you pace the sections.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many venues require transparent containers so invigilators can check materials quickly. Confirm the local rule with your centre.
Water in a clear bottle, label removed
Stay hydrated for a long paper. Remove or cover labels unless the venue states otherwise.
Printed periodic table and formula sheet if permitted
Some sittings provide these; others expect you to know common data. Confirm with the provider whether any reference material is supplied or allowed, and do not bring annotated sheets.
Review the official instructions and structure
Re-read the published instructions for the Chemistry paper: number of questions, whether there are options, and time allocation. Do not rely on memory of the format; check the current year's document.
Plan your route and arrival time
Locate the venue in advance and arrive with margin for transport delays. Confirm the reporting time with your centre, since it can differ from the published start time.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: venue address, reporting time, ID requirements, and permitted calculator. Re-read the official exam instructions so the paper structure and any choice of questions are fresh. Do one timed past-paper or mock under exam conditions, then mark it strictly and list your three weakest topics.
Targeted revision only. Review your summary sheets for the highest-weight areas: stoichiometry and limiting reagents, equilibrium and Le Chatelier, acid-base and pH calculations, redox and electrochemistry, organic functional groups and reaction types, and thermodynamics or kinetics as covered by your syllabus. Redo the errors from your mock rather than starting new material.
Light consolidation: skim formula sheets, units, and common pitfalls (significant figures, state symbols, sign conventions for enthalpy and electrode potentials). Pack your bag with ID, pens, calculator, ruler, and water. Check transport times. Sleep at a normal hour; avoid cramming new topics late at night.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive early. Leave phones and smart devices switched off and stored as instructed. Do a five-minute mental warm-up: write down key formulas and the periodic table trends you rely on. Read the front-page instructions carefully before starting.
Read all questions or options before writing. Note the marks per question and allocate time proportionally, leaving 10–15 minutes to check. Start with questions you are confident about to secure marks, then return to harder ones.
Show working for calculation questions, include units and correct significant figures, and balance equations with state symbols. For organic answers, draw clear structures and name reagents and conditions. If a question stalls you, move on and come back; never leave a question blank if partial credit is possible.
Check that every required question is answered, that question numbers match the answer booklet, and that units, signs, and significant figures are consistent. Verify you have not left answers only in rough work.
Rules to check
Bring and display the identity document required by the venue. If you are unsure which documents are accepted or whether a photocopy is allowed, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Follow all invigilator instructions. Mobile phones, smart watches, and unauthorised electronic devices must be switched off and stored outside your desk; possession at the desk may be treated as misconduct.
Only use calculators and reference materials that the current instructions permit. Check the approved model list with the provider and remove stored programs or notes if required.
Write in the required ink and keep final answers clearly separated from rough work. Label answers with the correct question number so markers can find them.
Breaks and leaving the room are at the invigilator's discretion and usually require supervision. Confirm the specific policy with the provider rather than assuming you can leave early.
Scoring follows the published marking scheme, with marks awarded for method and correct final answers where applicable. Show working, use units and significant figures appropriately, and do not rely on a single final value.
Academic integrity applies: no communication with other candidates, no unauthorised materials, and no attempt to access external help. Any irregularity may lead to invalidation of the paper.
If you believe there is an error in a question or a problem with conditions, raise it with the invigilator immediately; do not attempt to resolve it yourself or discuss it with other candidates during the exam.