PAU Mathematics II (Galicia)
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The PAU Mathematics II examination (ABAU in Galicia) is the subject-specific university access test taken by students from the Science and Technology baccalaureate track who want Mathematics to count toward their admission score for engineering, mathematics, physics, computer science, health sciences and similar degrees. It is a written, constructed-response paper: you solve open problems and show your reasoning, rather than picking answers from a list. A calculator is allowed under the rules the regional commission publishes each year, so check the current call for permitted models and restrictions. The syllabus is the Galician second-year Mathematics II curriculum: linear algebra, three-dimensional analytic geometry, single-variable calculus including integration and areas, probability, and statistical inference. Because the paper rewards method and justification, the most effective preparation is working full past papers under time, writing out every step, and marking your own solutions against the published criteria. Confirm the current structure, timing and any alternatives offered in the official call, since these can change between years. This page is an independent study guide and is not affiliated with the organising university or the regional education authority.
What you'll study
About PAU Mathematics II (Galicia) preparation
How is the Mathematics II exam structured?
It is a written paper of open-ended problems that you solve and justify on paper. The current number of questions, whether you choose among alternatives, and the time allowed are set each year by the Galician commission; the official call and model papers published by CIUG give the authoritative details.
How long is the exam and how many questions does it have?
Those figures are published in the official call for each sitting and are not fixed here. Check the CIUG website and the exam model for your year, then practise with that exact format so your timing is realistic.
Can I use a calculator?
Yes, calculators are permitted under conditions set by the regional rules, but the permitted models and any restrictions on graphing or symbolic capability are specified in the official instructions. Read the current call carefully; an unapproved device can be removed and can invalidate your work.
What score do I need to pass, and does Mathematics II count toward my admission mark?
The passing threshold and how the subject is weighted for admission are fixed by the official regulations and vary by degree and year. The regional authority publishes the current weightings; check them rather than relying on what older students tell you.
Can I retake the exam if I do badly?
Retake opportunities are governed by the official access regulations, which change over time. Consult the current call on the CIUG site for whether and when you may sit again and which mark counts for admission.
How difficult is it compared with school tests?
The mathematics is the same as your second-year course, but the paper compresses several topics into one sitting and grades the reasoning, not just the answer. Most lost marks come from incomplete justification, sign and arithmetic slips, and running out of time, not from unseen theory.
In what order should I study the topics?
Secure linear algebra first, since it is mechanical and appears reliably; then analytic geometry, which builds on vectors; then calculus, which needs the most practice; then probability and inference, where the formulas are quick to apply once the models are clear. Finish with full timed papers.
What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?
Skipping justifications, misreading what is asked, not checking whether a system is compatible, forgetting to state domains and units, and leaving integration limits wrong. Write conclusions explicitly, and practise writing solutions as if a stranger must follow every step.
Where do I find official information about dates and rules?
The Galician interuniversity commission (CIUG) and the regional education authority publish the official call, calendar, permitted calculators and model papers. Use those documents as the final word; this page is an independent guide and has no official affiliation.