Balearic Islands PAU Artistic Foundations Exam exam-day guide
Balearic Islands PAU Artistic Foundations Exam · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original document you registered with (DNI, NIE, or passport). Check the name spelling and validity date; an expired or mismatched document can bar entry. If you registered with a document other than your usual one, confirm with the provider which original they expect to see.
Exam admission/registration confirmation
Print or save the confirmation showing your assigned centre, session, and any registration code. The exact format required (paper copy vs. digital) varies by call, so confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written parts of the Artistic Foundations exam are answered in ink. Bring two working pens of the same colour plus a spare, and test them before leaving home. Pencil is normally for sketching only, not for final answers.
Graphite pencils and sharpener
For the drawing/analysis component bring pencils in a range you actually use (for example HB, 2B, 4B), a sharpener, and a sanding block or craft knife if your technique needs a long point. Only bring tools you have practised with.
Eraser (soft and kneadable)
A soft plastic eraser for clean corrections and a kneadable eraser for lifting graphite without damaging the paper. Confirm with the provider whether kneadable erasers are permitted in your centre.
Ruler and set square or scale ruler
Geometric construction and technical drawing tasks often require straightedges. Bring a rigid ruler and, if you use them, set squares or a scale ruler. Check the call's materials list for exact permitted instruments.
Colour media you have practised with
Depending on the option chosen, this may be coloured pencils, markers, or watercolour. Bring only what the instructions for your call allow, and confirm with the provider which media are permitted in the room.
Water container and rags (only if wet media are allowed)
If you use watercolour or ink, bring a spill-resistant container and absorbent cloth. Many centres restrict liquids, so confirm with the provider before relying on wet media.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many venues require materials to be visible in a transparent case. Bring a clear pouch and keep only exam materials inside; leave phone, smartwatch, and notes outside the room.
Analogue watch
Mobile phones are usually collected or banned at the desk, so bring a simple watch to pace the timed sections. Confirm with the provider whether any watch type is restricted.
Water bottle and light snack for the break
Sessions can be long. Bring a clear bottle and something easy to eat between parts, subject to the centre's rules on food and drink in the exam room.
Review the official instructions for your specific call
The structure, duration, and permitted materials of the Artistic Foundations exercise can change between calls. Read the current official resolution and confirm any detail you are unsure about with the provider before exam day.
Plan the day
Re-read the official call and the materials list for your option. Write a one-page personal checklist of exactly what you will carry and what techniques you will use, then do one timed rehearsal of the full exercise under exam conditions, including setup and clean-up. Stop learning new techniques; consolidate what already works.
Do a focused review of the theory you can be asked to apply: colour theory, composition principles, basic perspective, proportion, and the analysis of images or works. Practise explaining a work's formal elements in a few structured sentences, since written analysis is often part of the exercise.
Pack the bag completely: ID, confirmation, pens, pencils, eraser, ruler, permitted colour media, clear case, watch. Lay out clothes and plan the route and travel time to the centre with a margin for delays. Check the session start time and door-opening time on your confirmation. Sleep at a normal hour rather than revising late.
Eat a proper breakfast, take only the packed materials, and arrive at the centre well before the stated door time; confirm the exact arrival margin with the provider. Leave the phone off or as instructed. Once seated, read the whole paper before starting and note the time allocation for each part.
Fill in identification fields exactly as on your ID. Read every instruction and the marking-relevant requirements (for example, whether sketches must be labelled or whether a written justification is required). Ask an invigilator only about procedural doubts, not about content.
Follow your time plan: block out the drawing or composition first, then develop it, then reserve the last minutes for the written justification and for checking labels and identification. Keep the work surface organised so you are not searching for tools. If a part goes wrong, protect the remaining parts rather than overworking one area.
Check that all required parts are answered, that your name and details are correct, and that no loose papers are left in the work. Stop when instructed; continuing to draw or write after the call to stop can be treated as misconduct.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID document you registered with and place it on the desk if asked. A document that does not match your registration or has expired may prevent you from sitting the exam; if your situation is unusual, confirm with the provider in advance.
Electronic devices, smartwatches, and notes must be switched off and left where the invigilators instruct. Keeping a phone on your person during the exam is normally treated as serious misconduct, so confirm the centre's collection procedure on arrival.
Use only the materials and media permitted for your call. If you are unsure whether an instrument or medium is allowed, ask before the exam starts or confirm with the provider beforehand; do not assume.
Follow the invigilators' instructions on timing, leaving the room, and breaks. If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait to be accompanied; do not take materials with you unless told to.
Write and draw only in the designated answer areas and identification fields. Work on unauthorised paper or continuing after the stop signal can lead to penalties or annulment of the exercise.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for the exercise, which typically reward formal correctness, compositional coherence, technical control of the chosen media, and the quality of any written analysis. Read the paper to see which parts carry the most weight and allocate time accordingly; ask the provider for the published criteria if they are not in the call.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem with your materials, report it to an invigilator immediately and ask for it to be recorded. Do not attempt to resolve it silently.
Any special accommodation, change of venue, or rescheduling must be arranged with the provider before exam day. Do not rely on informal information; confirm the applicable procedure with the provider.