Galicia PAU German - Second Foreign Language exam-day guide
Galicia PAU German - Second Foreign Language · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or passport (original, valid)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. It must match the name on your registration. If your document is expired or you registered with a different document, confirm with the coordinating university (Comisión Interuniversitaria de Galicia / CIUG) before the exam day.
Exam venue and session confirmation
Check your assigned venue and the date/time of the German (Segunda Lingua Estranxeira) paper on the official PAU Galicia calendar and your personal registration. Venues and timetables are set by the coordinating body and your school; confirm the exact details with your centre or CIUG. Marked needs_review.
Blue or black pens (at least two)
Written answers must be legible; bring spare pens. Avoid pencil for answers unless a specific section instructs otherwise, and do not use correcting fluid or erasable ink, since these can invalidate an answer.
Pencil, eraser and ruler
Useful for rough work and for any answer sheet or box you must complete. Keep rough work clearly separated from final answers; only what is written in the designated answer area is marked.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch without connectivity is normally allowed; smartwatches and phones are not. If in doubt about a specific watch, ask the invigilator before the exam starts.
No phones, smartwatches or electronic devices
Switch off and hand in or stow your phone as instructed. Any device visible during the exam can lead to disqualification. Do not rely on your phone as a clock or dictionary.
Printed exam instructions / model format
Re-read the official structure of the Galicia German paper (reading comprehension, lexis/grammar or use of English-style tasks, and written production, depending on the current model) so you know the section order and mark weighting. Confirm the current structure with your teacher or CIUG, as the model can change between years. Marked needs_review.
Water in a clear container and a light snack
The exam is long. Bring water in a transparent bottle and something small to eat during any permitted break. Confirm with the invigilator whether food and drink are allowed in your room.
Layer of clothing
Exam halls can be cold or warm. Dress in layers so you can stay comfortable and focused for the full session.
Arrive early
Plan to be at the venue well before the call time, allowing for transport delays and ID checks. Late arrival rules are set by the coordinating body; confirm with your centre what happens if you arrive after the start.
Know the scoring and pass logic
Understand how the German paper contributes to your overall PAU phase score and what minimum you need for your target degree. Confirm the current weighting and pass rules with CIUG or your school, as these are updated yearly. Marked needs_review.
Rest and logistics plan
Confirm transport, meeting point and timing with whoever accompanies you, and get a normal night's sleep. Cramming new grammar the night before is less useful than reviewing your own error list.
Plan the day
Do a full timed mock of the German paper under exam conditions, using the official task types. Mark it strictly, then list your three biggest recurring errors (for example verb tense, prepositions, connectors, or word order). Spend the remaining days fixing those, not starting new topics.
Re-read the instructions and mark scheme for the written production task: how many words are expected, what content points are required, and how organisation, range and accuracy are rewarded. Practise writing two short texts (for example an email or an opinion paragraph) and check them against the task requirements.
Review your personal vocabulary and phrase bank: connectors, opinion phrases, formal email openings and closings, and common collocations. Practise using them in full sentences rather than as isolated lists.
Do a light review only: your error list, a few reading tasks, and one short writing. Stop early. Prepare your documents, pens, watch and clothes, and confirm the venue and time.
Avoid learning new grammar or large new word lists. Sleep at your normal time. If you feel anxious, write down your exam plan (section order, time per section) so you do not have to decide under pressure.
Eat a normal breakfast, take your ID and materials, and arrive early. Do not try to memorise new material in the queue; a quick look at your connectors and error list is enough.
Read the whole paper and the instructions before writing. Note the marks per section and allocate time accordingly. Start with the section you are most confident in if the rules allow, but keep to your time plan.
Read questions before the text where the format allows, underline evidence in the text, and answer in the required form (full sentence, word, or letter). Do not leave blanks; a reasoned guess is better than nothing.
Spend a few minutes planning content points and structure. Write clearly, respect the word limit, use connectors, and leave time to check agreement, tense, spelling and word order. Keep a margin for corrections.
Check that every answer is in the correct place, that you have attempted all tasks, and that your name and details are filled in as instructed. Do not make last-minute rewrites that risk legibility.
Rules to check
Bring your original DNI or passport; it must match your registration. Photocopies and expired documents may not be accepted, so confirm any exceptional case with CIUG or your centre in advance.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times. Phones, smartwatches and any connected devices must be switched off and stowed as directed; unauthorised devices or materials can lead to disqualification.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not look at others' papers. Raise your hand if you need to speak to an invigilator.
If you need to leave the room (for example for the toilet), raise your hand and wait for permission. Whether you may leave and return, and whether time is added, is set by the venue; confirm with the invigilator.
Write only in the designated answer areas. Rough work should be clearly separated; anything outside the marked area is not assessed.
Use blue or black pen for final answers unless instructed otherwise, and do not use correcting fluid or erasable ink, as these can make an answer unreadable or invalid.
Scoring: the German paper is marked against the official criteria for the current model, and the resulting grade is combined with your other PAU results according to the current weighting rules. Confirm the exact weighting and any minimum requirements with CIUG or your school, as these are updated each year. Marked needs_review.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem during the exam, tell the invigilator immediately and follow the official review or appeal procedure. Do not wait until after the exam to raise it.