Extremadura PAU Chemistry exam-day guide
Extremadura PAU Chemistry · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the identity document (DNI, passport, or equivalent) required for admission to the exam. Make sure it is valid and not expired; if you have any doubt about which document is accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Exam admission/registration proof
Carry the registration or enrollment confirmation for the PAU, plus any receipt or proof of payment if one was issued. Some centers ask to see documentation linking you to the exam session; confirm with the provider which documents are required.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written answers must be legible. Bring more than one pen in case one fails, and avoid erasable ink unless you have confirmed it is allowed.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any answer sheet that requires pencil marks. Keep them in a clear case.
Scientific calculator (non-programmable, non-graphing)
Chemistry problems require numerical work. Bring a calculator you know how to use, with fresh batteries. Programmable or graphing calculators and stored formulas are typically restricted; confirm the exact permitted model with the provider.
Ruler and protractor
Useful for graphs, diagrams, and geometry-adjacent questions. Plain, unmarked instruments are safest.
Analog watch or simple clock
Phones are usually collected or switched off, so a wristwatch helps you manage time. Avoid smartwatches, which are normally prohibited.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many venues require materials to be visible. Pack only what you need and leave unnecessary items at home.
Light layers of clothing and water in a clear bottle
Exam rooms can be warm or cold. A clear bottle with the label removed is usually accepted; confirm local rules with the provider.
No notes, formula sheets, or electronic devices
Do not bring written notes, textbooks, or phones into the exam room. Anything you bring should be left outside or handed in as instructed.
Know the venue and arrival time
Check the assigned building, room, and reporting time in advance. Arrive early enough to locate the room and complete any check-in. If the reporting time is not clearly stated, confirm with the provider.
Review the exam structure and timing
Know how many questions or options the Chemistry paper contains, how much choice you have, and the total duration. If the structure is not published for your session, confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Review the official program and the structure of the Chemistry paper: which blocks are examined (for example, atomic structure, bonding, equilibrium, redox, organic chemistry), whether there is a choice of questions, and the time allowed. Make a one-page summary of formulas, constants, and reaction types you tend to forget. Solve one full past paper under timed conditions and mark it honestly.
Focus on weak areas identified in the timed paper. Practice numerical problems (stoichiometry, pH, equilibrium constants, electrochemistry) and write out full solutions, including units and significant figures. Rehearse naming and drawing organic structures. Do not start new topics; consolidate what you already know.
Do a light review only: formula sheet, common mistakes, and a few short exercises. Prepare your materials (ID, pens, calculator, ruler, watch) and put them in one place. Check transport to the venue and the weather. Sleep at your normal time; avoid late-night cramming.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the venue with time to spare. Keep your phone switched off and stored away. Go to the toilet before entering the room. Once seated, read the instructions on the paper carefully and note the time the exam starts and ends.
Read the whole paper before writing. Identify the questions you can answer confidently and plan the order. Allocate time per question according to marks, and leave a few minutes at the end to check units, significant figures, and that every required question has been attempted.
Show your working clearly: method marks are often awarded even when the final number is wrong. Write balanced equations, state units, and label axes on graphs. If you get stuck, move on and return later. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve time to transfer or check answers.
Check that your name and identifying details are on every sheet as instructed. Verify that no question has been left blank unintentionally and that your answers are legible. Hand in all materials as directed before leaving.
Rules to check
Bring and display the official ID document required for admission. If you are unsure which document is accepted or whether a photocopy is valid, confirm with the provider in advance.
Electronic devices, including phones and smartwatches, must be switched off and stored as instructed. Bringing unauthorized material into the exam room can lead to disqualification; confirm the exact policy with the provider.
Only permitted calculators and instruments may be used. Programmable or graphing calculators and stored data are normally prohibited; check the permitted list with the provider before exam day.
Follow the invigilators' instructions at all times, including seating, timing, and how to ask questions. Raise your hand if you need to leave the room; bathroom breaks are usually accompanied and may not extend your time, so confirm local arrangements with the provider.
Write your answers in the designated spaces and in the required ink. Answers outside the allocated areas or on unauthorized sheets may not be marked.
Academic integrity applies: do not communicate with other candidates, look at others' papers, or share materials during the exam. Suspected irregularities are handled according to the provider's regulations.
Scoring is based on the official marking criteria for the Chemistry paper, including method and significant figures where relevant. Grade boundaries and any compensation rules are set by the provider; do not rely on unofficial estimates.
If you have a disability or special access need, arrange accommodations well before the exam. The deadlines and documentation requirements are set by the provider; confirm them directly.