Balearic Islands PAU Artistic Drawing II exam-day guide
Balearic Islands PAU Artistic Drawing II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the photo ID required by the Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB) for PAU access, typically DNI, passport, or NIE/TIE for non-Spanish candidates. Keep it in the same folder as your exam documents so it is not misplaced between sessions. Confirm with the provider which document type is accepted for your case before exam day.
Exam admission slip or registration confirmation
Print or download the PAU registration/admission document showing your assigned centre and session details. Some centres check it alongside your ID at the door; having it ready avoids delays at the start of the drawing paper. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or a digital copy is accepted.
Drawing supports in the required format
Bring the paper or support your centre specifies for Artistic Drawing II (commonly white drawing paper, but the exact format and weight are set by the centre). Cut or prepare supports in advance and bring a few spares, since a torn or stained sheet discovered at the start of the exam wastes working time.
Graphite pencils in a range of hardnesses
Carry a full set (for example 2H, HB, 2B, 4B, 6B) plus a sharpener and sandpaper or a blade for precise points. Value range is the core of most drawing exercises, so a single HB pencil will limit the quality of tonal work.
Erasers and blending tools
Include a soft putty eraser for lifting graphite without damaging the paper and a harder eraser for clean edges. Bring tortillons or a clean cloth for blending if the exercise calls for smooth gradients; check that your centre permits these tools.
Fixed-medium or colour media if permitted
If the paper allows colour or mixed media, bring the media you have practised with (coloured pencils, pastels, markers, or ink). Do not introduce an unfamiliar medium on exam day. Confirm with the provider which media the centre permits for this subject.
Drawing board and clips or tape
A rigid board and clips or low-tack tape keep the support stable and let you work at an angle. Some centres provide tables or boards; confirm with the provider whether you must bring your own board and whether tape is allowed on the paper.
Ruler, set square, and compass
Geometric construction, perspective, and proportion exercises often require straightedges and a compass. Check that the compass holds a sharp point and that your ruler has clear markings; a slipping compass mid-construction can ruin a clean layout.
Watch or silent timer
Bring a simple watch or a silent timer to track the recommended time split between planning, blocking in, and finishing. Smartphones are usually not allowed on the desk, so do not rely on a phone for timing. Confirm with the provider whether a watch is permitted.
Water and a light snack
Drawing sessions can run long and the room may be warm. Bring water in a closed container and a small snack for before or after the paper, keeping them off the drawing surface so they do not damage the support.
Read the official instructions for the call
Check the UIB PAU instructions and your centre's notice for the exact call time, room, and permitted materials for Artistic Drawing II. Rules on materials and timing can vary by centre and year, so confirm with the provider rather than relying on older information.
Plan the exercise choice in advance
Review the structure of the Artistic Drawing II paper (typically a choice among options such as still life, figure, or geometric/architectural drawing) and decide in advance which option suits your strengths. This saves decision time once the paper is in front of you.
Plan the day
Do timed practice under exam conditions: one full paper per day with the same support size, media, and time limit you expect. Focus on the option you plan to choose and rehearse the opening 10 minutes (reading the prompt, choosing the option, planning composition) and the closing 10 minutes (fixing edges, strengthening contrast, cleaning the sheet). Review your weakest skill, such as proportion, perspective, or tonal range, with short focused studies rather than starting new techniques.
Prepare and inventory your kit: sharpen pencils to different points, test erasers and blending tools on a scrap of the same paper, check the compass and straightedges, and confirm the support format. Pack everything in one bag and keep a short written list of what you are bringing so nothing is left behind. Confirm with the provider any centre-specific material rules.
Stop intensive practice and switch to light review: look over your own sketches and notes on composition, value structure, and construction. Re-read the official PAU instructions for call time, centre, and permitted materials. Prepare ID, admission slip, and kit by the door, set an alarm with margin for travel, and get a full night's sleep rather than drawing late.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive at the centre well before the call time to allow for finding the room and any ID checks, and keep your kit organised so you can set up quickly. Avoid last-minute cramming; a brief look at your planning checklist is enough. Use the waiting time to settle and mentally rehearse your opening routine.
Read the whole paper carefully, note the options and any mandatory requirements, and choose your option deliberately. Plan the composition on the support lightly or on a spare sheet: establish the overall format, main masses, and focal point before committing to detail. Check the clock and set a rough time budget for planning, blocking in, developing, and finishing.
Block in the large shapes and proportions first, then build value and detail from general to specific. Step back from the board regularly to judge proportion and tonal balance at a distance. Keep your hand off the drawing surface to avoid smudging, and protect finished areas as you work.
Reserve the last part of the session for finishing: strengthen the darkest darks and cleanest lights, sharpen key edges, remove construction lines and smudges, and check that the drawing meets every stated requirement. Do not start a major new element late. Hand in the work as instructed and make sure your identification is on the sheet if the centre requires it.
Rules to check
Bring and display the official photo ID required for PAU access; candidates without valid identification may be refused entry or asked to resolve the issue with the tribunal. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted for your situation.
Follow the centre's instructions on permitted materials and supports for Artistic Drawing II. Do not bring unauthorised reference material, pre-prepared drawings, or electronic devices onto the desk; confirm with the provider what is allowed before the exam.
Mobile phones and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored away as instructed. Using a phone during the session is typically treated as a serious irregularity; confirm with the provider the exact policy on devices and watches.
Arrive before the call time. Late arrival, and whether a candidate may still sit the paper, is decided by the tribunal under the centre's rules; confirm with the provider rather than assuming a grace period.
Work only on the support and in the format the paper specifies, and put your identification on the sheet if required. Work that does not meet the stated format or identification requirements may not be assessed as intended.
Leaving the room during the session is usually restricted, and any permitted exit is accompanied. Ask the invigilator before the paper begins if you anticipate needing to leave; confirm with the provider the break and exit rules for your centre.
Scoring follows the official criteria for Artistic Drawing II, which typically weigh composition, proportion and representation, use of value and media, and fulfilment of the prompt. Read the paper's requirements and address each one explicitly.
Any irregularity, such as communicating with other candidates, using prohibited material, or substituting another person's work, is handled under the PAU disciplinary rules and can affect your grade or access. Confirm with the provider the applicable procedure if you are unsure about anything during the exam.