Galicia PAU English - First Foreign Language
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Cheat sheet
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Galicia PAU English exam is the first-foreign-language paper of the Proba de Avaliación para o Acceso á Universidade, the university access assessment taken by students in Galicia after the bacharelato. It is designed for candidates who have completed upper-secondary English and need a language score as part of their access or admission process. The paper is delivered monolingually: instructions, texts and expected responses are in English. Its structure combines reading comprehension of a short authentic-style text, lexis and grammar tasks set in context, and a guided composition where you write a short text on a given prompt. Orthography, punctuation and cohesion are judged across the whole paper, so accuracy in spelling and linking words matters as much as ideas. Preparation should be built around reading short English articles regularly and answering questions in your own words, not copying sentences from the text. Review the grammar areas that recur in contextual exercises: verb tenses and aspect, conditionals, reported speech, passive voice, modals, relative clauses, prepositions and word formation. Practise timed compositions of the length and register the paper expects, and get feedback on paragraphing and connectors. The official body publishes the current model, calendar, duration and scoring criteria, and those details change, so always check its site before relying on any figure you hear second-hand. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with the examining body.
What you'll study
About Galicia PAU English - First Foreign Language preparation
What exactly is the Galicia PAU English paper for?
It is the English first-foreign-language component of the Galician university access assessment. Your mark contributes to the access or admission score used when applying to degree programmes, so it matters both for qualifying and for competing for places on high-demand courses.
How long is the exam and how many questions does it have?
The official body sets and publishes the current structure, duration and item counts, and these are revised over time. Rather than trust a figure from a forum or an old book, download the latest model paper and assessment criteria from the official Galicia education or university access website.
How difficult is it compared with other autonomous communities?
Difficulty is subjective, but the paper rewards solid B1-to-B2 control of English rather than obscure vocabulary. Comprehension texts are usually accessible journalism-style pieces, and the composition prompt is guided. The main challenge is producing accurate, well-organised English under time pressure.
Can I fail the English paper and still get into university?
Rules on minimum marks and on how each paper weights into your final score are set officially and can change. Check the current regulations on the official site. In practice, a weak language mark drags down your overall score, so treating English as a scoring subject rather than a formality is wise.
Can I retake the exam if I am unhappy with my mark?
Retake and improvement options exist within the Galician access system, but the conditions, number of sittings and how the better mark is used are governed by current rules. Confirm the applicable procedure and deadlines on the official site before planning a resit.
What should I study first?
Start with reading comprehension, because it trains vocabulary and structures at the same time. Read a short English article daily, summarise it in three sentences, and answer inference questions in your own words. Then drill grammar in context and finish with timed compositions, which need the most feedback.
What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?
Copying whole sentences from the text instead of answering in their own words; ignoring word limits; weak paragraphing and missing connectors; basic spelling and tense errors in the composition; and misreading instructions such as 'answer in your own words' or 'give one reason'. Silent proofreading at the end recovers easy marks.
Do I need to write in British or American English?
Either variety is acceptable provided you are consistent. Mixing spellings such as 'colour' and 'color' in the same text looks careless. Choose one variety, use it in your practice compositions, and keep the register appropriate: no contractions or slang in a formal opinion text.
How should I practise the composition?
Write to the paper's typical prompts: opinion, advantages and disadvantages, description or narrative. Plan for two minutes, write an introduction, two body paragraphs and a conclusion, and use a clear set of connectors. Time yourself, then rewrite the same text after feedback; rewriting teaches more than writing something new each time.
Is this page official?
No. This is independent study guidance and is not affiliated with the examining body or any university. Always verify the current exam structure, dates, scoring and regulations on the official Galician access website, and treat any unofficial summary, including this one, as a starting point only.