Extremadura PAU Foreign Language II - English

It is the foreign-language component of the university entrance assessment in Extremadura. Your score contributes to the overall access mark used for university admission, so it can affect which degree and campus you can enter. It tests comprehension and written production in English rather than literary knowledge.

The official body sets the current structure, duration and question count each year, and these can change. Check the official PAU Extremadura website or your school's guidance department for the exact format of your sitting. Do not rely on numbers from older past papers without verifying them.

It is generally pitched at an intermediate-to-upper-intermediate level (around B1-B2). The reading text is authentic-style but not highly technical, and the writing task is short. The main challenge is accuracy under time pressure, not obscure vocabulary, so solid grammar and structured writing matter more than advanced idioms.

Retake rules are set by the official authorities and can vary by year and by the route you are taking (school leaver, over-23, vocational). Check the official PAU Extremadura information for the current policy on resits and call for papers. Your secondary school or the university access office can confirm your options.

Start with reading comprehension and core grammar, because they underpin every task. Practise skimming a short article, then answering questions in your own words. Next, drill tenses, conditionals, passives and connectors. Leave full timed compositions for the final weeks, once your accuracy is stable.

Typical losses come from copying whole sentences from the text instead of answering in your own words, misreading the question, weak paragraph structure in the composition, and basic errors such as subject-verb agreement or missing articles. Poor time management also leads to unfinished writing tasks, which is costly.

Examiners generally reward clear organisation, relevant content, range of vocabulary and grammar, and accuracy. A short, well-structured answer with a clear introduction, body and conclusion usually scores better than a longer, disorganised one. Practise planning for two minutes before writing and reserving time to check errors.

No set literary text is normally required. The reading passage and writing prompt usually deal with general-interest themes such as technology, environment, education, health or social issues. Broad background knowledge helps, but the exam tests language skills, not specialist content.

The regional education authorities publish the annual PAU calendar, instructions and any model papers. Search for the official PAU Extremadura site or ask your school's guidance department. This page is an independent study resource and does not set dates, fees or regulations.