Galicia PAU Italian exam-day guide
Galicia PAU Italian · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original photo ID (DNI, passport, or equivalent) that matches the name on your registration. Do not bring only a photocopy or a photo on your phone. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted for the Galicia PAU Italian sitting.
Exam admission/registration confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your assigned centre, room, and time. If your centre distributes a personalised exam sheet or label, keep it with your ID. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written answers must be legible; bring spare pens of the same colour. Avoid erasable or gel inks if your centre restricts them.
Pencil and eraser
Useful for planning answers, marking multiple-choice options, or drafting before writing the final version. Check whether the centre allows pencil for rough work only.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms may not have a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch helps you manage the 90-minute Italian paper. Smartwatches and phones are not permitted at the desk.
Clear water bottle
Bring water in a transparent bottle with the label removed, if the centre permits drinks. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed in the exam room.
Confirm the exam date, start time, and centre address
Check the official Galicia PAU calendar and your centre's instructions a few days before. Arrive with enough margin for ID checks and seating. Confirm with the provider the exact reporting time.
Review the official Italian paper structure
Know the sections, text types, and time allocation published for the Galicia PAU Italian exam. Confirm with the provider or official syllabus whether the paper includes a listening comprehension section and how it is administered.
Bring a dictionary only if officially permitted
Some language exams allow a monolingual or bilingual dictionary; many do not. Do not assume. Confirm with the provider whether any dictionary is allowed for Italian and which type.
No phones, smartwatches, or notes at the desk
Leave devices switched off and stored as instructed. Possession at the desk can lead to disqualification. Confirm with the provider the exact storage rules.
Plan transport and a backup
Check routes, strikes, and parking near the centre. Aim to arrive early; late arrival rules vary by centre, so confirm with the provider what happens if you are delayed.
Rest and light revision the day before
Do not cram new grammar. Review your own error list, key connectors, and a couple of model text structures, then sleep early.
Plan the day
Re-read the official exam structure and timing for the Italian paper. Do one full timed practice under exam conditions, then mark it against the criteria and list your three biggest weaknesses.
Prepare your materials: ID, confirmation, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, and clear bottle. Put them in one bag so nothing is forgotten on the day.
Target your weak areas with short focused practice: verb tenses, pronoun placement, connectors, or reading speed. Keep sessions to 30–40 minutes and stop before fatigue.
Check the centre address, travel time, and reporting time. Confirm with the provider any details you are unsure about, such as permitted materials or access to the building.
Do a light review only: a one-page summary of grammar traps, useful linking phrases, and a plan for each writing task. Avoid new material.
Lay out clothes and your bag, set two alarms, and go to bed at a normal time. Avoid screens late and do not study past the evening.
Eat a normal breakfast, check your bag against the checklist, and leave with a buffer. Arrive at the centre early for ID checks and seating.
Switch off your phone and store it as instructed. Put your ID on the desk if required. Read the front page of the paper carefully for instructions and time limits.
Skim the whole paper first and allocate time per section. Answer the questions you find easiest first, then return to harder ones. Watch the clock at set checkpoints rather than constantly.
Spend a few minutes planning structure, then write. Leave time to check agreement, tense consistency, accents, and spelling. Keep handwriting legible.
Check that every question is answered, transfer any answers to the correct place, and review your name and candidate details. Do not leave early unless the rules allow it.
Rules to check
Bring the original official photo ID matching your registration; without it you may be refused entry. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Phones, smartwatches, and any unauthorised notes must be switched off and stored away from your desk. Possession during the exam can lead to disqualification.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, start and finish times, and how to hand in papers. Do not communicate with other candidates once the exam has begun.
Materials such as dictionaries, calculators, or rough paper are allowed only if officially permitted for the Italian paper. Confirm with the provider before the exam.
Arrive at the reporting time stated by your centre. Late-arrival rules are set by the centre, so confirm with the provider what happens if you are delayed.
If you need to leave the room for a permitted reason, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator. Follow the centre's rules on breaks and escorted exits.
Scoring and marking criteria are set by the official PAU authorities. Check the official Galicia PAU information for how the Italian paper is weighted and graded; do not rely on unofficial summaries.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem with conditions, tell the invigilator immediately and follow the centre's procedure. Confirm with the provider how incidents are recorded.