Galicia PAU History of Philosophy / Historia de la Filosofía CIUG exam-day guide
Galicia PAU History of Philosophy / Historia de la Filosofía CIUG · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or valid ID document
Bring the original document (not a photocopy). You will normally need it to be admitted to the exam room and to sign the attendance sheet. Confirm with the Centro de Estudios or your exam centre which documents they accept for identification.
Printed exam appointment / matrícula proof
Carry the document that shows your registration for the Historia de la Filosofía exam (PAU/ABAO call). If the CIUG or your centre uses a different format or an app, confirm with the provider which proof is valid.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
The exam is handwritten. Bring two or three pens that you have already tested, plus a spare. Pencil is only for rough notes; answers must be in ink. Confirm with the provider whether erasable ink is allowed.
Watch without smart functions
Exam rooms may not have a visible clock, and phones must be off. A simple analogue or basic digital watch lets you manage the 90 minutes. Smartwatches are normally not permitted; confirm with the provider.
Know the paper structure and options
The Galicia PAU Historia de la Filosofía paper is usually built around a text and a set of questions with an option to choose between authors or texts. Re-read the CIUG instructions for your year so you know how many questions to answer and whether there is a choice. Confirm the current structure with the provider.
Author summaries and key terms ready to write from memory
Prepare short, accurate summaries of the authors on your course (context, key concepts, argument, influence). These are what you will use to answer the text-commentary and theory questions without notes.
A bank of short quotations or precise paraphrases
Memorise a few short, accurate phrases or close paraphrases per author so you can anchor your commentary in the text. Do not invent quotations; a correct paraphrase is safer than a false quotation.
Practice timing with full past papers
Do at least two timed run-throughs using past PAU Galicia papers or CIUG model papers, so you know how long a commentary and a theory answer take you. Confirm with the provider which past papers are the best match for the current format.
Water and a light snack
Bring water in a clear bottle and something small to eat between exams if you have more than one paper that day. Check with the provider or exam centre whether drinks are allowed on the desk.
Leave your phone and smart devices at home or switched off and stored
Any device that can connect or store information must be off and out of reach during the exam. Having one accessible can be treated as misconduct. Confirm with the provider how devices are handled at your centre.
Plan your route and arrival time
Check the exam venue and the time you must be there, and arrive with margin. Late entry rules vary; confirm with the provider what happens if you arrive after the start.
Read the answer-sheet and labelling instructions carefully on the day
Follow the invigilator's instructions on labelling, numbering, and which questions you have chosen. If anything is unclear, ask before you start writing.
Plan the day
Do a final pass over your author summaries and key concepts, and fix the order in which you will revise them. Write one-page summaries from memory and check them against your notes; correct only real errors, do not add new material. Do one timed paper or one timed commentary plus one theory question, and review where you lost time.
Rehearse the exam routine: read the text, identify the author and thesis, plan the commentary in bullet points, and write a full answer under time. Practise choosing between options quickly, so you do not lose minutes deciding. Review the CIUG instructions for question choice and scoring weights.
Light revision only: key terms, author-context dates, and the structure of your commentary. Prepare your bag (ID, pens, watch, water, appointment proof) and check the venue and travel time. Sleep at your normal time; do not start a new topic the night before.
Eat a normal breakfast, re-read your one-page summaries for 20-30 minutes, and stop. Arrive at the venue early, keep your phone off and stored, and have your ID and appointment proof ready. Once seated, read the whole paper before writing: identify the text, the author, and the questions you will answer.
Read the instructions and all questions carefully. Decide which option or questions you will answer and write a short plan for each: thesis, key concepts, structure. Budget your time across the questions according to their weight, and leave a few minutes at the end to check.
Answer in clear, numbered sections. For the text commentary, state the author and thesis, explain the key concepts in context, connect the text to the author's wider thought, and assess its significance. For theory questions, define terms precisely and give reasons. If you run out of time, leave structured bullet points rather than nothing. Do not spend too long on one question at the expense of another.
Check that every question you chose is answered and numbered, that your name and details are filled in as instructed, and that your handwriting is legible. Correct clear errors; do not rewrite whole answers.
Rules to check
Bring and show the original ID document required by the exam centre. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before the exam day.
Keep phones and any smart or connected devices switched off and stored out of reach for the whole exam. Using or accessing them can be treated as academic misconduct.
Write your answers in ink, number them clearly, and follow the invigilator's instructions on labelling and on which questions you have chosen.
Do not communicate with other candidates, pass materials, or look at another candidate's paper during the exam. Ask the invigilator if you need something.
Follow the centre's rules on leaving the room. If you need to leave temporarily, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator; do not take papers or devices with you. Confirm with the provider how breaks are handled.
Use only the materials the centre allows on the desk. Notes, books, and unauthorised aids are not permitted; if you are unsure whether something is allowed, ask before the exam.
Scoring follows the CIUG's published criteria for this subject, including the weighting of the text commentary and the theory questions and the rules on question choice. Read the current CIUG information for your year and confirm details with the provider.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem in the room, tell the invigilator immediately and follow the centre's procedure for reporting incidents. Confirm with the provider how incidents are recorded.