Galicia PAU French - Second Foreign Language / Francés II Lengua Extranjera exam-day guide
Galicia PAU French - Second Foreign Language / Francés II Lengua Extranjera · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo ID (DNI, passport or NIE)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. The name must match the name you registered under. If you are unsure which documents are accepted for your call, confirm with the provider (your school or the Comisión Interuniversitaria de Galicia, CIUG) before exam day.
Exam venue and session confirmation
Check your assignment (sede, classroom, date and start time) on the official PAU/CIUG information channels a few days before. Arrive with time to spare; venues can be large and rooms hard to find. Exact arrival margins: confirm with the provider.
Printed or downloaded exam calendar for the day
Know the order and times of your exams so you do not miss the start of the French paper. The published calendar for your year is the authoritative source; confirm with the provider if anything is unclear.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write clearly; answers must be legible. Bring a spare in case one fails.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for drafting and for any multiple-choice or grid-style items if your paper includes them. Check that pencil use is permitted for the parts you plan to draft in; confirm with the provider if unsure.
Clear water bottle and a light snack
The French exam plus other papers can make a long day. Keep packaging plain and avoid anything that could look like notes.
No smart devices on your person
Leave phones, smartwatches and earbuds switched off and stored as instructed. Even a device that buzzes in a pocket can create problems; follow the invigilator's instructions exactly.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
A simple watch helps you manage the reading, grammar, and writing sections without relying on a classroom clock. Smartwatches are not acceptable.
French review sheet (for outside the room only)
Bring a one-page summary of connectors, tense endings, and typical writing formulas to review in the corridor before entry. It must be put away before you enter the exam room.
Knowledge of the paper structure you will face
Expect a reading comprehension section, a language/grammar-use section, and a written production task, typically with a choice of options. Confirm the exact sections, timing, and weighting for your year with the provider, since these can change.
A plan for the written production
Rehearse a short text (roughly 120–150 words) in advance: an opinion, a letter or email, or a description, with a clear introduction, two developed ideas, and a conclusion. Verify the required length in the official instructions on the day.
Transport and backup plan
Know how you are getting there and have a backup route. If you rely on public transport, check for strikes or delays the day before.
Plan the day
Do a full timed mock under exam conditions: reading, grammar, and writing, with no dictionary. Mark it against a model answer and list your three weakest grammar points (for example, past tense choice, pronoun placement, or agreement). Spend the remaining days fixing only those.
Memorise a compact writing toolkit: connectors (d'abord, en revanche, par conséquent, en conclusion), opinion phrases (à mon avis, il me semble que, je suis convaincu(e) que), and a formal email opening and closing. Practise using them in two short texts.
Review the reading strategies: skim the questions first, underline keywords, locate the relevant paragraph, and answer in your own words rather than copying long chunks unless the task asks for quotation. Practise justifying answers with line or paragraph references if the paper requires it.
Light revision only: reread your error list and the writing toolkit. Pack your bag with ID, pens, pencil, watch, water, and the venue confirmation. Check the exam start time and travel route. Sleep at a normal hour; do not start new grammar topics.
Eat properly and arrive early. Review your one-page summary outside the room, then put it away. Switch off and stow your phone before entering. Read the front-page instructions carefully: number of sections, time allowed, and whether there are choices.
Read the whole paper before writing. Decide which writing option you will do. Allocate time explicitly - for example, roughly a third for reading, a third for grammar, and a third for writing, plus a few minutes to check. Adjust to the actual timing stated on your paper.
Answer reading questions in French unless instructed otherwise, using complete sentences where required. For grammar items, check agreement, tense, and word order before moving on. Leave nothing blank if there is no penalty for guessing; confirm the scoring rules on the paper.
Finish the writing task, then proofread: verb endings, adjective agreement, accents, and sentence boundaries. Check that you have answered every item and filled in your personal details correctly. Hand in as instructed by the invigilator.
Rules to check
Bring original official photo ID and place it on the desk if asked. If your document is lost or expired, contact the provider immediately; do not assume a substitute will be accepted without confirmation.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on start and finish times, materials on the desk, and leaving the room. Rules on toilet breaks and early departure vary by venue; confirm with the provider or ask before the exam begins.
Do not bring notes, dictionaries, or electronic aids into the exam room unless the official instructions for your year explicitly permit them. Assume they are not allowed until confirmed.
Phones and smartwatches must be switched off and stored as directed. Keeping a device on your person during the exam can have serious consequences; if you are unsure where to leave it, ask beforehand.
Write in the language and format requested. If a task specifies a word count, respect it; going far under or over can cost marks. If the instructions are ambiguous, follow the wording on the paper and ask the invigilator.
Scoring is based on the official marking criteria for the exam, which typically reward comprehension, accuracy, range of language, and task achievement. The exact weightings and any penalties for errors or length are set by the exam authority; confirm with the provider rather than relying on hearsay.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a disturbance in the room, raise it calmly with the invigilator at the time and note what happened. Formal review or appeal procedures and deadlines are set by the exam authority; confirm with the provider.