PAU Spanish Language and Literature II (Extremadura) exam-day guide
PAU Spanish Language and Literature II (Extremadura) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID (DNI, passport, or equivalent)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy; the identity check happens before you enter the room. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted for your call and whether expired IDs are valid.
Exam venue and session confirmation
Write down the exact building, floor, room, and reporting time from your official convocatoria. Do not rely on memory or on a friend's schedule; the PAU has different calls for different subjects.
Printed or downloaded exam timetable
You will sit more than one subject over several days. Keep the official timetable with you so you know the date, start time, and duration of the Spanish Language and Literature II paper.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Answers must be legible and written in ink. Bring spares; pencil is normally only for rough work or multiple-choice answer sheets, so confirm with the provider what is allowed.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for planning outlines and for any answer sheet that requires marking. Keep rough work clearly separated from the final answer.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many venues require transparent containers. Confirm with the provider whether your pencil case must be transparent and whether water bottles must have labels removed.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch helps you manage the 90-minute paper; smartwatches and phones are not allowed at the desk.
No phone or smart device at the desk
Switch devices off and leave them in the place the invigilators indicate, usually a bag at the front or back of the room. A ringing or vibrating phone can be treated as misconduct.
Light layers and water
Rooms can be cold or warm and the paper is long. Dress in layers and bring water only if the venue permits it; confirm with the provider.
Review the paper structure and mark allocation before writing
Know in advance how many questions or text-commentary tasks the paper contains, whether there are options, and the word limits. Read the instructions page carefully before starting.
Check whether a dictionary, glossary, or annotated text is permitted
Do not assume. For language papers, monolingual dictionaries and annotated editions are often restricted. Confirm with the provider exactly what materials are allowed for this subject.
Arrive early and locate the room
Aim to be at the venue well before the reporting time so you can find the room, leave bags, and settle. Late entry rules vary; confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: venue, room, date, start time, and duration of the Spanish Language and Literature II paper from the official convocatoria. Check your ID is valid and pack it in your bag. Re-read the official exam instructions, including permitted materials and the structure of the paper.
Do a final content sweep rather than new learning. Review your own summaries of the literary periods, movements, authors, and works on your syllabus, plus the text-commentary method and the rules for the literature question. Rehearse the format: how you will open a commentary, how you will structure an essay, and how you will manage time across the tasks.
Practise under timed conditions at least once: a full paper or a representative set of tasks in 90 minutes, handwritten. Check legibility, margin use, and how much you can realistically write. Identify the task that costs you most time and decide a time budget for each section.
Prepare the physical kit: two pens, pencil, eraser, sharpener, transparent case, watch, ID, water if allowed, and any permitted materials. Lay everything by the door. Charge nothing you cannot bring; leave smart devices at home or plan where they will go.
Light review only: key dates, authors, works, rhetorical and literary terms, and your commentary template. Do not start a new topic. Confirm travel time and, if needed, transport. Set an alarm and aim for a full night's sleep.
Eat properly and arrive at the venue early. Leave phones and bags where instructed. Go to the toilet before entering the room. Take only permitted items to the desk: ID, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, and allowed materials.
Read the whole paper and the instructions before writing. Note the number of tasks, the options, the mark allocation, and any word limits. Choose your questions deliberately, then write a short outline for each answer. Fill in any identification fields on the answer booklet correctly.
Follow your time budget. For a text commentary, identify the text type, situate it in its period and movement, analyse form and content with textual evidence, and conclude on meaning and effect. For the literature question, state a clear thesis, support it with specific works and authors, and avoid plot summary. Keep handwriting legible and leave space between answers.
Check that every required task is answered, that question numbers match your answers, and that no answer is left in rough. Correct obvious slips in spelling, agreement, and punctuation without rewriting whole paragraphs. Make sure your name and details are on the booklet.
Do not linger over answers with classmates before your next paper. Note anything you found difficult for later review, then move on to preparing the next subject in your timetable.
Rules to check
Bring the original official ID required by the convocatoria and place it on the desk if asked. If you do not have an accepted document, you may be refused entry; confirm with the provider which documents are valid.
Do not bring phones, smartwatches, or other electronic devices to the desk. Switch them off and leave them where the invigilators instruct. Unauthorised devices can lead to disqualification.
Only permitted materials may be used. For this subject, confirm with the provider in advance whether dictionaries, glossaries, or annotated texts are allowed, and do not bring notes or study sheets into the room.
Write your answers in the language and format the paper requires, in legible ink, and respect any word limits. Answers that ignore the required task or format may lose marks.
Follow the invigilators' instructions on timing, leaving the room, and communication. Do not talk or exchange material once the paper has started.
If you need to leave the room temporarily, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator. Toilet breaks and re-entry rules vary by venue; confirm with the provider and expect to be accompanied.
Scoring is based on the official marking criteria for the subject, so answer the question that is asked and support literary claims with specific textual or authorial evidence. Do not attempt to negotiate marks with invigilators.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem with your conditions, report it to the invigilators immediately and follow the official review or appeal procedure described in the convocatoria; confirm the deadlines with the provider.