Catalonia PAU French (Francès 2026) exam-day guide
Catalonia PAU French (Francès 2026) · 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. Check that the name matches the name you registered under. If you have any doubt about which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before the day.
Exam venue and session confirmation
Re-check the time and building on your registration confirmation the day before. PAU exams are usually held in faculty buildings or designated centres assigned by the university, not necessarily your own school. If you are unsure of your assigned venue, confirm with the provider.
Printed exam schedule and your subject list
Know exactly which French paper you sit and in which slot (the PAU timetable lists the common and modality-specific subjects by day and time). Keep the printed schedule with you so you do not mix up rooms or times between papers.
Black or blue pens (at least two) and a pencil
Write answers in ink unless the paper states otherwise. Bring a spare pen and a pencil for rough work or for any multiple-choice answer sheet. Do not rely on a single pen.
Clear pencil case with eraser and sharpener
Keep it simple and transparent; some centres restrict opaque cases or loose items on the desk. If your centre has specific rules on what may be on the desk, confirm with the provider.
Wristwatch (not a smartwatch)
Mobile phones are usually collected or switched off, so a plain analogue or digital watch helps you pace the reading and writing sections. Smartwatches and phones must not be used as timekeepers.
Water in a transparent bottle and a light snack
The French paper is long enough that hydration and a quick snack between papers help. Keep the bottle clear and label-free where required. If you have a medical condition requiring food or medication, confirm arrangements with the provider in advance.
Review the paper format you will face
Know the structure of the Catalonia PAU French paper: a reading comprehension section, a lexical/grammar or use-of-language section, and a written production task. Practise the timing so you know how long to spend on each part. If the format has changed for your year, confirm with the provider.
Prepare your writing toolkit
Revise connectors, opinion phrases, formal and informal register, and a few reliable structures for argumentative writing. Have a mental template for the written production so you do not lose time planning from scratch.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or surrender them
If you must bring a phone, expect to hand it in or leave it switched off and out of reach as instructed. Do not keep it in a pocket during the exam. If you are unsure of your centre's device policy, confirm with the provider.
Plan your journey and arrive early
Aim to be at the venue well before the start time, allowing for transport delays and the ID check. Check local transport on the day. If you are unsure how early you must arrive, confirm with the provider.
Read the instructions on the paper carefully
Before writing, check which questions are compulsory, whether there are options, and the word count for the written production. Misreading the rubric is a common and avoidable loss of marks.
Plan the day
Work through one full past-paper-style French paper under timed conditions, then mark it honestly. Focus revision on the sections where you lose most marks: reading comprehension detail questions, use-of-language items, and the structure of your written production. Re-read your notes on connectors, verb tenses and register. Sleep properly; do not start new topics.
Do a light review only: skim your vocabulary lists, your writing template and the paper format. Prepare your bag with ID, pens, pencil, watch, water and confirmation. Check the venue, the time and the transport route. Avoid cramming new grammar. Go to bed at a normal hour.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive at the venue early, and go through the ID check calmly. Once seated, read the whole paper before starting. Allocate time explicitly: reading comprehension first, then use of language, then the written production, leaving a few minutes to check spelling and agreement.
Answer every compulsory question; never leave a blank if there is any chance of partial credit. For reading, locate the answer in the text rather than answering from memory. For the written production, plan briefly, write in clear paragraphs with a clear structure, and reserve time to proofread for tense, agreement and spelling. If you run out of time, finish the writing task before polishing earlier answers.
Rules to check
Bring original official photo ID and place it on the desk for inspection; you may be refused entry without it. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider.
Mobile phones, smartwatches and other electronic devices must be switched off and out of reach, or handed in as instructed by the centre. Using one during the exam is treated as misconduct.
Follow the invigilators' instructions at all times: seating, start and finish times, and what may be on the desk. If a rule is unclear, ask before the exam begins.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the exam has started, and do not look at another candidate's paper. Suspected cheating is reported and can affect your whole PAU result.
Write in the language and format required by each task. For the French paper, answer in French where the task asks for production in French, and follow the word count.
If you need to leave the room (for example, for a medical reason), raise your hand and wait for an invigilator; do not leave unaccompanied. If you have a documented condition requiring special arrangements, confirm with the provider well before the exam.
Check the scoring rules for your paper: which sections carry most weight and whether there are penalties for wrong answers in any multiple-choice part. If you are unsure, confirm with the provider.
Keep your answers legible and clearly numbered. Work written outside the designated spaces or on unauthorised paper may not be marked.