Galicia PAU German - First Foreign Language exam-day guide
Galicia PAU German - First Foreign Language · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or passport (original, valid)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. The name must match the enrolment. If you are unsure which document is accepted for your centre, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Exam admission/session confirmation
Print or download the call (llamamiento) showing date, time, building, and room. The Galician PAU is organised by the Comisión Interuniversitaria de Galicia (CIUG) through the Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Vigo, and A Coruña; your centre's instructions take precedence. Confirm the exact call time and location with the provider.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write in ink; answers in pencil may not be accepted. Bring a spare in case one fails.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for rough notes or any multiple-choice/marking task the paper may include. Keep rough work clearly separate from final answers.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Rooms do not always have a visible clock. Smartwatches and phones are not allowed on the desk; a simple analogue or digital watch is the safe option.
Clear water bottle, label removed
Stay hydrated for a long language paper. Remove or cover labels as invigilators usually require.
Light snack for between papers
If you sit more than one exam in a session, bring something quick to eat outside the room during the break.
No phone, smartwatch, or notes at the desk
Switch devices off and leave them in your bag, away from the table, as instructed. Possession at the desk can be treated as academic misconduct.
Confirm permitted dictionaries or materials
Do not assume a dictionary is allowed for the German paper. Check the CIUG instructions for your year and, if still unclear, confirm with the provider.
Know the paper structure and timing
The German first-foreign-language paper typically combines reading comprehension, lexis/grammar, and a written production task. Confirm the exact sections, marks, and time allocation for your year with the provider.
Plan your arrival with margin
Arrive at the building well before the call so you can find the room and settle. Late entry rules vary; confirm with the provider rather than relying on assumptions.
Review the answer-sheet format
Check whether answers go on the question paper or a separate sheet, and whether ink is required. Follow invigilator instructions on the day.
Plan the day
Stop learning new grammar. Re-read your own summary of the paper format and do one timed full past-style paper under exam conditions, then mark it against the criteria you have. Spend the remaining time on your weakest skill: usually written production or reading inference. Practise writing a short opinion or experience text of roughly the length the paper requires, and check it for verb position, cases after prepositions, and connectors. Sleep normally; do not trade sleep for extra revision.
Light review only: a list of common German connectors (jedoch, deshalb, obwohl, außerdem), preposition + case patterns, and irregular verb forms. Re-read the instructions for the writing task so you know what the reader expects (content points, register, length). Pack your bag: ID, confirmation, pens, pencil, watch, water. Check the route and travel time to the exam building, and set two alarms. Avoid cramming new vocabulary you will not consolidate overnight.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive early. Before entering, skim a one-page reminder of your own typical errors rather than a full grammar. In the room, read the whole paper first, note the marks per section, and allocate time proportionally; leave 5–10 minutes at the end to check agreement, verb endings, and spelling. Start with the section you find most reliable if the paper allows any order.
Read each task twice and underline what it asks. For reading, locate the evidence in the text before answering; do not rely on general knowledge. For grammar and lexis, check the surrounding words for the cue (preposition, subject, tense). For the writing task, plan for two or three minutes: jot the content points, choose a clear structure, then write. Use the register and length the prompt requires, link ideas explicitly, and reserve time to proofread for the errors you know you make.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID and place it on the desk if asked. The name must match your enrolment; if your document is expired or your details differ, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Electronic devices must be switched off and stored away from the desk. A phone or smartwatch visible during the exam can be treated as misconduct, even if unused.
Follow the invigilators' instructions on timing, answer format, and any permitted materials. If an instruction conflicts with what you expected, ask before you start writing.
Breaks and leaving the room are at the invigilators' discretion and are usually not permitted during a paper. If you need to leave for a medical reason, raise your hand; confirm the centre's policy with the provider if this affects you.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam or attempt to view others' work. Suspected copying or unauthorised material is handled under the PAU regulations.
Scoring is set by the Comisión Interuniversitaria de Galicia and the universities; each section of the language paper carries a defined weight and the writing task is usually marked on content, organisation, and accuracy. Confirm the current weighting and pass requirements with the provider.
If you believe there is an error in the paper, note it and continue; report it to the invigilator afterwards rather than stopping. Formal appeals follow the official procedure and deadlines, which you should confirm with the provider.