Balearic PAU Biology exam-day guide
Balearic PAU Biology · 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 one on your registration. If you have any doubt about which document is accepted, confirm with the provider.
Exam admission card or registration confirmation
Print or download the document issued when you registered. Some centres ask for it at the door; others only need your ID. Check the instructions you received when your registration was confirmed.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write with blue or black ink. Pencil is normally only for rough work or for filling in optical answer sheets if the exam uses them. Confirm the allowed writing materials with the provider.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for diagrams, rough calculations, and any multiple-choice answer sheet. Keep them in a clear pencil case if transparent containers are required.
Simple scientific calculator
A non-programmable calculator is normally allowed for Biology calculations such as genetics ratios or magnification. Programmable or graphing calculators and those with stored text are usually prohibited. Confirm the exact model rules with the provider.
Ruler and protractor
A ruler helps with drawing tables and measuring magnification in image-based questions. A protractor is occasionally useful for graphs. Keep them plain and unmarked.
Analogue watch
Many exam rooms do not have a visible clock and phones must be switched off. A simple wristwatch lets you pace yourself. Smartwatches are normally not allowed.
Clear water bottle with the label removed
Staying hydrated helps concentration during a long paper. Remove or cover labels according to centre rules. Confirm whether drinks are permitted in your room.
Light layers and comfortable clothing
Exam rooms can be warm or cold. Dress in layers that are easy to adjust. Avoid clothing with printed text that could be mistaken for notes.
Location and transport plan
Check the exact building and room assignment in advance. Plan to arrive well before the start time; late entry rules vary by centre, so confirm with the provider.
No phone, smartwatch, or notes on you
Switch off and leave your phone and any smart device outside the exam room or in the designated area. Possession of unauthorised material can lead to disqualification.
Review the official exam instructions
Read the instructions for your specific call: number of questions, optional sections, time allowed, and whether choices are offered. Details can change between years, so confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Confirm your exam centre, room, and start time from your registration documents. Plan the route and transport, and decide how early you will arrive. Check the list of permitted materials for your call. Switch from learning new content to active recall: write out key diagrams (membrane transport, meiosis, DNA replication, enzyme kinetics, photosynthesis and respiration, immunity, Mendelian genetics) and practise interpreting graphs and experimental data. Do one timed past-paper-style section under exam conditions to check your pacing.
Pack your bag: ID, admission document, pens, pencil, eraser, sharpener, calculator, ruler, watch, water bottle. Lay out clothes. Charge nothing you cannot bring into the room; leave your phone at home if possible. Do a light review of formulas, key definitions, and common calculation methods (magnification, genetic ratios, chi-square if required). Avoid cramming new topics late at night. Eat a normal meal, set two alarms, and sleep at your usual time. Confirm the transport timetable for the morning.
Eat a normal breakfast and drink water. Arrive at the centre with enough margin to find the room and settle. Keep your phone switched off and stored away before entering the building if the centre requires it. Go to the toilet before the paper starts. Once seated, place your ID on the desk if instructed, read the front of the paper carefully, and listen to the invigilator's instructions. Fill in your personal details exactly as registered.
Read the whole paper briefly before starting, noting any choice between questions and the marks per section. Allocate time roughly in proportion to marks, and leave a few minutes at the end to check. Answer the questions you find easiest first to build confidence, but make sure you attempt every required question. For data questions, state the trend, quote figures with units, and explain the biological reason. For calculations, show your working so partial credit can be awarded. For diagrams, use a pencil, label clearly, and keep labels outside the drawing. If you run out of time, write brief bullet points rather than leaving blanks. Cross out rough work if it could be confused with your answer. Do not communicate with other candidates; raise your hand if you need the invigilator.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID used at registration. Candidates without acceptable identification may not be admitted; confirm the accepted documents with the provider before exam day.
Arrive at the time stated in your instructions. Entry after the paper has started may be restricted, and extra time is not normally given. Check the late-arrival policy with the provider.
Leave phones, smartwatches, and any other electronic devices switched off and outside the exam room unless the provider explicitly permits them for a specific purpose.
Only use materials listed as permitted for your call. Non-programmable calculators are commonly allowed, but programmable or graphing models and any device with stored text are usually prohibited. Confirm the exact rules with the provider.
Write in blue or black ink unless told otherwise. Pencil is normally for diagrams or answer sheets. Do not write in the margins or on the question paper in a way that could be taken as an attempt to communicate.
Breaks are usually not permitted during the paper. If you need to leave the room for an emergency, raise your hand and follow the invigilator; you may be accompanied and will not normally receive extra time. Confirm the centre's policy with the provider.
Any attempt to copy, communicate, or use unauthorised material can lead to disqualification from the whole exam. Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times.
Scoring is based on the official mark scheme for your call. Marks are awarded for correct biological content, use of appropriate terminology, clear working in calculations, and accurate interpretation of data. Confirm the weighting and any optional sections with the provider.