Galicia PAU Artistic Drawing II / Dibujo Artístico II CIUG exam-day guide
Galicia PAU Artistic Drawing II / Dibujo Artístico II CIUG · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or valid ID document
Bring the original Spanish DNI/NIE/passport (not a photocopy). CIUG calls typically require identification at the venue; confirm with your centre or CIUG which documents are accepted if you are unsure.
Printed exam call/registration confirmation
Bring the document showing your assigned venue, date, time and, where applicable, the list/sede you are assigned to. Confirm with the provider (CIUG or your secondary school) whether printing is compulsory or a digital copy is accepted.
Graphite pencils in several grades (e.g. 2H–6B)
For Dibujo Artístico II you will usually need a range from hard for construction lines to soft for tonal work. Sharpen several in advance and bring a spare of your most-used grade.
Eraser, kneaded eraser and sharpener/cutter
A kneaded eraser is useful for lifting tone without damaging paper; a hard eraser for cleaning construction lines. Include a small sharpener or cutter and a cloth or sandpaper block if you use one.
Drawing supports and boards
Bring a rigid board or support if your venue does not provide one, plus clips or tape to fix the paper. Confirm with the provider what support materials the venue supplies.
Approved drawing materials for your chosen technique
Depending on the option you plan to use, bring charcoal, conté, pastel, ink, or coloured pencils, plus fixative if permitted. Confirm with the provider whether fixative sprays are allowed in the exam room, as aerosol rules vary by venue.
Paper or sketchbook for notes and roughs
Some calls allow rough paper; others provide only the official sheets. Bring a small sketchbook for planning, but confirm with the provider whether external paper may be brought into the room.
Watch or silent timer
A non-smart watch helps you manage the time without relying on a visible clock. Confirm with the provider whether smartwatches are prohibited; assume they are and leave them at home.
Water and a light snack
The exam is long and demanding. Bring water in a clear bottle and a snack for before/after, unless the venue rules say otherwise.
Review the specific call and scoring criteria
Read the official CIUG call for your year: it specifies the duration, the options, the materials allowed and the assessment criteria. Do not rely on older calls, as requirements can change.
Plan your composition and time allocation in advance
Decide a default approach: reading the prompt, thumbnail sketches, construction, tonal development, and final accents. Rehearse this sequence under timed conditions before exam day.
Check venue, transport and arrival time
Confirm the exact building and room, and plan to arrive with margin. Confirm with the provider the arrival time and whether you must be there before the official start.
Plan the day
Do full timed rehearsals of a complete drawing using the same materials and paper you will use in the exam. Focus on the sequence: reading the prompt, thumbnails, construction, tonal massing, detail, and review. Do not learn new techniques; consolidate what you already do well.
Review the official CIUG call and the assessment criteria for Dibujo Artístico II. Note what the examiners value: composition, proportion, tonal values, spatial representation, originality and technical control. Check the permitted materials and the exam duration for your year.
Prepare and pack your materials: sharpen pencils, check erasers and cutters, test your fixative if allowed, and make sure you have enough paper. Prepare your ID and printed call document.
Do one light practice session only: a quick warm-up sketch or two to keep your hand loose. Avoid marathon practice that leaves you tired.
Pack your bag with everything on the checklist, lay out your clothes, and confirm transport and arrival time. Check the weather and plan for the venue's rules on bags and phones.
Sleep early. Eat normally. Avoid last-minute cramming of theory; the exam is practical and depends on rested hand-eye coordination.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive early, and do a five-minute warm-up sketch if you can. Re-read your personal checklist: ID, call document, materials, water.
At the venue, follow instructions for entering the room, placing your materials, and switching off your phone. Confirm with the invigilator where you may keep your bag and whether any materials are prohibited.
Read the whole prompt and any options carefully. Identify exactly what is asked: subject, format, technique and any required elements. Choose your approach and make two or three small thumbnail sketches to test composition.
Decide your composition, format and viewpoint. Lightly block in the main masses and proportions. Resist the urge to start detailed rendering before the overall structure is sound.
Build the drawing in layers: construction, then tonal masses, then detail and accents. Step back regularly to check proportion and value relationships. Keep your hand relaxed and your materials organised.
Reserve the last portion of the time for review: check proportions, strengthen key contrasts, clean up construction lines if appropriate, and ensure the drawing reads clearly from a distance. Do not introduce risky changes at the end.
Hand in only the required sheets and follow the invigilator's instructions. Keep your materials and notes; do not discuss or photograph the exam paper, as conduct rules may prohibit this.
Rules to check
Bring original identification (DNI/NIE/passport) and the document showing your assignment. Confirm with the provider which documents are mandatory, as requirements can vary by call and venue.
Follow the official CIUG call for your year regarding duration, options, permitted materials and format. Do not assume rules from previous years still apply; confirm with the provider if anything is unclear.
Electronic devices, including mobile phones and smartwatches, are normally prohibited or must be switched off and stored away. Confirm with the invigilator where to leave them and never use them during the exam.
Do not bring unauthorised reference material, pre-prepared drawings or notes into the exam room unless the call explicitly permits them. Confirm with the provider what reference material, if any, is allowed.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, materials and leaving the room. If you need to leave briefly for personal reasons, raise your hand and wait for permission; do not simply walk out.
Work only on the official sheets and in the format required. Write your identifying details where instructed. Do not write your name in places that could compromise anonymous marking if the call requires anonymity.
Scoring is based on the published assessment criteria: composition, proportion, representation of form and space, tonal values, technical control and originality. Read the criteria and address them explicitly in your drawing.
Do not photograph, copy or distribute the exam paper. After the exam, follow the invigilator's instructions for handing in sheets and leaving the room.