Catalonia PAU Technical Drawing Applied to Plastic Arts and Design II

Proves d'Accés a la Universitat (PAU) - Dibuix Tècnic Aplicat a les Arts Plàstiques i el Disseny II

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About this exam

The PAU in Dibuix Tècnic Aplicat a les Arts Plàstiques i el Disseny II is the university-access exam paper taken in Catalonia by candidates who want to enter artistic and design degree programmes, and it is also chosen by candidates who simply need a second technical-drawing option. Unlike the pure technical-drawing paper, this one is framed around design: constructions are judged not only for geometric correctness but for clarity, proportion and graphic quality. It is delivered in Catalan, and the candidate typically chooses one of two offered options and works through graphic-construction problems, scaled drawing exercises and short theoretical questions.

Preparation is mostly deliberate practice with real instruments: compass, set squares, scale ruler, pencils of different hardness, and a clean drafting routine. Work through plane constructions until they are automatic, then build fluency in multiview projection and the standard representation systems, and finish with the normative details - line hierarchy, dimensioning conventions, scale calculation - that examiners check quickly. Sketching by hand remains essential because the paper rewards visible, well-ordered construction lines. Confirm the current call's structure, duration and scoring on the official university-access website before you plan your revision, since these details are set each year by the administering body and are not fixed here.

What you'll study

Common questions

About Catalonia PAU Technical Drawing Applied to Plastic Arts and Design II preparation

What is this exam actually for?

It is one of the specific-mode papers in the Catalan university-access phase. It can raise your admission score for design, fine-arts and architecture-related degrees, and it also serves as an alternative technical paper for candidates from a science or technology background who prefer a design-oriented brief.

How long is the exam and how many questions are there?

Those figures are set for each call by the organising body and are not fixed across years, so treat any number you see online with suspicion. Check the official university-access portal for the current structure, duration and scoring before planning your timing strategy.

Is it harder than the standard technical drawing paper?

The geometry is comparable; the difference is emphasis. This paper weighs presentation, proportion and design intent more heavily, so a geometrically correct answer drawn carelessly can lose marks. Candidates who draw neatly and think about composition often score better here than on the pure technical paper.

Do I have to choose between two options?

Yes, the paper is normally structured so that you pick one of two offered options and answer only that one. Read both before committing: one option may lean on constructions you have practised more, and mixing answers from the two options is usually not permitted.

Can I retake it if I do badly?

The specific phase can be sat again in later calls, and your best valid results are the ones that count for admission. Retake rules and how long results remain valid are set by the administering body, so confirm the current policy on the official site rather than relying on older information.

What should I study first?

Start with plane geometry and instrument handling, because every later topic depends on accurate construction. Move to multiview projection, then axonometric and conical systems, then standards and dimensioning. Leave surfaces and developments for last - they combine everything and are the slowest to master.

What do candidates most often get wrong?

Line hierarchy and cleanliness: construction lines left too dark, missing centrelines, inconsistent line weights. Second is scale arithmetic under time pressure. Third is incomplete answers - a construction drawn but not labelled, or a dimension omitted. Examiners reward legibility and completeness as much as the correct shape.

Do I need CAD to prepare?

No, the paper is hand-drawn with traditional instruments. CAD can help you visualise multiview and axonometric relationships quickly, but your exam performance depends on compass, set-square and pencil control, so spend most practice time on paper with a scale ruler and sharp pencils.

Where do I confirm the exam details?

Only the official Catalan university-access body publishes the authoritative structure, dates, duration and scoring criteria for the current call. Use this page for orientation and practice direction, and verify every administrative detail there before the registration deadline.