Catalonia PAU Foreign Language - English
Prova d'accés a la universitat (PAU) - Llengua estrangera: Anglès
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ExploreAbout this exam
The PAU English exam (Llengua estrangera: Anglès) is the foreign-language component of Catalonia's university entrance assessment, taken by students finishing Batxillerat and by candidates entering through other routes. It is used by Catalan public universities as part of the admission score, and the mark can also count towards the specific-phase weighting for degrees that treat English as a relevant subject. The paper is built around authentic English texts rather than textbook dialogues: you read one or more passages, answer comprehension items, work on vocabulary and grammar drawn from the text, and finish with a guided composition of roughly 120–150 words. Because the reading and writing sections carry most of the weight, the exam rewards candidates who read widely in English and can express an opinion clearly, not those who memorise rules in isolation. Sensible preparation means working through past papers under timed conditions, keeping a vocabulary log of collocations and connectors, and practising short opinion and narrative texts with a clear structure. The official body publishes the current calendar, structure and scoring details for each call, so check its website for the figures that apply to your year. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with any official examining body.
What you'll study
About Catalonia PAU Foreign Language - English preparation
What exactly does the English paper test?
Reading comprehension of authentic texts, vocabulary in context, sentence-level grammar, and a short guided composition. Tasks are mostly multiple-choice, true/false or short open answers, plus the writing. The aim is to show you can understand real English and produce clear written English on a familiar topic.
How long is the exam and how many questions are there?
The official body sets the structure and timing for each call and publishes them on its website, so check there rather than relying on older accounts. Plans do change between years. As a rule, practise with past papers under the stated time so your pacing is realistic.
How difficult is it compared with a Cambridge exam?
The reading and writing demand sits around B2 on the CEFR, with some items nudging towards C1 in vocabulary. It is not a certificate exam: there is no listening or speaking, and the writing is short. If you can read news and opinion articles comfortably and write a structured paragraph, you are in range.
Can I retake it, and does the mark expire?
Retake rules and mark validity are set by the official body and can differ between calls, so confirm the current policy on its website. In practice, candidates who are unhappy with their mark often sit the exam again in a later call. Do not assume an old mark stays valid indefinitely.
Which section should I study first?
Start with reading comprehension, since it feeds vocabulary and grammar items and is the largest block. Then drill the specific grammar points that appear repeatedly, such as verb tenses, conditionals, relatives and connectors. Leave the composition until you can already read and manipulate the language; it improves fastest once the other skills are in place.
Why do candidates lose marks in the writing task?
The usual causes are ignoring the prompt's requirements, missing a paragraph structure, and weak linking between ideas. Off-topic answers and texts far under the word limit also cost marks. Practise planning for two minutes, writing to a clear three-part shape, and reserving time to check articles, agreement and spelling.
Do I need to know grammar terminology?
You need to recognise and produce forms, not recite labels. Some items may ask you to complete or transform a sentence, so knowing how tenses, passives, conditionals and reported speech behave matters. Learn the patterns through examples and rewriting exercises rather than memorising definitions.
How should I use past papers?
Do one untimed first to see the task types, then switch to timed runs. Mark your own answers, and for every error write down why the right option was right. Keep a list of repeated vocabulary and connectors, and rewrite your composition once after feedback; rewriting is where most improvement happens.
Is a dictionary allowed during the exam?
The official body specifies permitted materials for each call, so check its website before the exam day. Do not build your preparation around using one: the reading items are designed to be answered from context, and relying on a dictionary will slow you down badly under time pressure.