PAU French II (Extremadura)
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ExploreAbout this exam
The PAU French II paper in Extremadura is the foreign-language component of the university entrance assessment taken by students in the region's secondary schools and by candidates in the equivalent access routes. It certifies that you can operate in French at a level roughly comparable to B1–B2 of the CEFR: understand an authentic written text, explain and interpret it, manipulate the language accurately, and produce a short coherent piece of writing of your own. The paper is built around a choice between two reading options, followed by comprehension tasks, lexico-grammatical exercises and a guided composition, so it rewards balanced competence rather than a single strength. Because the region sets the paper, the exact number of items, the time allowed, the marking scale and the pass threshold are all fixed in the current official regulation; consult the Extremadura education authority's website for the figures that apply to your sitting rather than relying on what older students remember. Preparation works best in three layers: steady reading of short French press and narrative texts to build vocabulary in context, systematic revision of the grammar points that appear in the transformation and gap-fill tasks (tenses, agreement, pronouns, mood after conjunctions), and timed composition practice with a clear structure and correct connectors. This page is an independent study resource and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the examining body.
What you'll study
About PAU French II (Extremadura) preparation
What does the exam actually consist of?
A reading section based on one of two texts you choose, comprehension questions on that text, lexico-grammatical exercises such as gap-fill and transformations, and a guided composition on a topic linked to the text's theme. The precise item counts and mark allocation are set out in the official regulation published by the Extremadura education authority.
How long is the exam and how many questions are there?
These logistics change between sittings and are not fixed by anything on this page. The official body publishes the current duration, structure and marking scheme on its website, and your school will also have the call document. Check there before planning your timing strategy.
What score do I need to pass?
The pass threshold and the weighting of French II within your overall access score depend on the regulation in force for your year and on whether French is your compulsory or optional language. The Extremadura education authority publishes the current figures; your school's guidance department can confirm how they apply to your case.
Can I retake it if I do badly?
Retake possibilities are governed by the official PAU regulation for Extremadura, which sets the number of sittings per year and any limits on repeating. Since the rules are revised periodically, confirm the current retake policy with the authority or your school rather than assuming the arrangement from a previous year still holds.
How difficult is the French paper compared with a school exam?
The language level is close to what a solid upper-secondary student can reach, but the text is authentic and the composition is marked for coherence, not just grammar. Candidates usually find comprehension manageable and lose marks on verb forms, agreement and weak paragraph structure.
In what order should I study the different parts?
Build vocabulary and reading fluency first, since comprehension feeds everything else. Then drill the grammar that appears in transformations and gap-fills: tense choice, past participle agreement, pronoun placement, and subjunctive after expressions of necessity. Leave composition practice for last but do it regularly under time pressure.
What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?
Answering comprehension questions with copied fragments instead of reformulating, mixing up passé composé and imparfait in narrative, forgetting agreement of the past participle with preceding direct objects, and writing a composition with no linking words or paragraph breaks. Careless accents and missing agreements also cost easy points.
Should I choose the first text or read both?
Skim both quickly and pick the one whose topic vocabulary you recognise; a familiar theme saves time in comprehension and gives you ready material for the composition. Do not spend more than a couple of minutes deciding, and do not switch texts halfway through.
Does the composition need a specific format?
Follow the instructions exactly: the register, length and text type requested (letter, article, opinion piece, narrative) are part of the assessment. Use a short introduction, two developed body paragraphs with connectors, and a conclusion. Write within the stated word limit and leave a few minutes to reread for agreement and accents.
Is this page an official source?
No. It is an independent study resource and has no affiliation with or endorsement from the examining body or the regional authority. Use it for practice and orientation, but treat the official regulation and your school's guidance as the authoritative word on structure, dates and scoring.