Balearic Islands PAU Dramatic Literature exam-day guide
Balearic Islands PAU Dramatic Literature · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the identity document (DNI, passport, or equivalent) that you used when registering. It must be valid and unexpired. If you are unsure which documents the Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB) accepts for your call, confirm with the provider before the exam.
Exam admission slip / registration confirmation
Print or download the confirmation showing your assigned seat, classroom, and exam session. Check the UIB PAU instructions for your call to see whether a printed copy is mandatory or a digital copy is accepted; if unclear, confirm with the provider.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write the whole exam in ink. Bring spare pens because a single pen can fail mid-essay. Pencil is normally acceptable only for diagrams or rough notes, not for the final answers you want marked.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for planning outlines, numbering scenes, or sketching a quick structure before writing. Keep rough work clearly separated from your final answers.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock, and phones must be switched off and stored. A plain analogue or digital watch lets you control the time budget for each section without touching a device.
Clear water bottle
Hydration helps during a long writing session. Use a transparent bottle with the label removed if the venue requires it; check the specific room rules for your call.
Small snack for after the exam
Sessions can be long and breaks between papers may be short. Eat outside the exam room and only if venue rules allow food in waiting areas.
Transparent pencil case or folder
Many venues require transparent containers so invigilators can check materials quickly. Confirm the exact requirement with the provider if the instructions for your call are not explicit.
Review the official programme and set texts
Re-read the official syllabus for the Dramatic Literature option: the compulsory works, the authors, and the assessment criteria published by the UIB for your year. Do not rely on summaries from other years.
Prepare a one-page quote and character sheet
For each set play, note key characters, central conflicts, structural features (acts, scenes, asides, monologues), and two or three short quotations you can cite accurately from memory.
Plan your route and arrival time
Locate the faculty building and the assigned classroom in advance. Aim to arrive well before the call time to allow for ID checks and seating; confirm the exact arrival window with the provider.
Leave prohibited devices at home or switched off
Smartphones, smartwatches, and any connected device must be off and out of reach during the exam. If you need a device for medical reasons, confirm the authorised procedure with the provider in advance.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: re-check the exam date, time, building, and classroom on the official UIB PAU page or your admission slip. Verify your ID is valid and that you know the route and transport times.
Do a final pass over the syllabus. List the set works and, for each, write from memory a five-line summary of plot, main characters, dramatic structure, and one theme. Compare with your notes and fill only the real gaps.
Practise one full timed question under exam conditions: choose a commentary or essay prompt, give yourself the time the real paper allows, and write by hand. This tests both your knowledge and your handwriting stamina.
Review the assessment criteria for Dramatic Literature so you know how marks are distributed (for example, comprehension of the text, analysis of dramatic technique, use of evidence, organisation, and expression). Confirm the current weighting with the provider if the official document is unclear.
Memorise a small set of accurate short quotations and stage directions for each set play. Keep them short enough to reproduce exactly; a misquoted line is worse than a paraphrase clearly marked as such.
Pack your bag: ID, admission slip, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, water, and any permitted materials. Put everything by the door. Check the weather and transport plan for the morning.
Do light revision only: skim your one-page sheets, character maps, and structural outlines. Avoid learning new material or reading long summaries that could confuse details you already know.
Set two alarms, eat a normal meal, and sleep at your usual time. Cramming overnight reduces the working memory you need for essay planning.
Eat a proper breakfast, take your packed bag, and leave with a buffer for delays. Arrive at the building before the call time so ID checks and seating are not rushed.
Before entering the room, switch off your phone and any smart device and store them as instructed. Keep only permitted materials at your desk.
Read all the options carefully. Mark the questions you can answer best. Note the total time and divide it across the sections, leaving at least 10 minutes at the end for checking.
For each chosen question, spend a few minutes writing a brief outline: thesis or main idea, three or four supporting points, the scenes or passages you will cite, and the dramatic techniques you will discuss. This prevents rambling and keeps your argument visible to the examiner.
Write clearly and in ink. Use paragraph breaks, introduce quotations with context, and connect evidence to your argument. For commentary questions, move from what happens to how the dramatic text produces meaning (dialogue, staging, tension, character voice).
Check that every required question is answered, that numbering matches the paper, and that no page or section is left blank unintentionally. Correct obvious slips without rewriting whole paragraphs.
Rules to check
Bring valid photo ID and your admission documentation; without them you may be refused entry. If you are unsure which documents are accepted for your call, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Follow the invigilators' instructions at all times: sit where assigned, keep your desk clear except for permitted materials, and do not communicate with other candidates once the exam has started.
Switch off and store all phones, smartwatches, and connected devices as instructed. Unauthorised devices in your possession during the exam may be treated as misconduct; if you need a device for medical reasons, confirm the authorised procedure with the provider in advance.
Write your answers in the language and format the paper specifies, and answer the required number of questions. Check the paper's instructions for whether optional questions must be from different sections; confirm with the provider if the wording is unclear.
You may normally leave the room only in exceptional circumstances and with an invigilator's permission. Confirm the specific rules on breaks and early departure for your venue with the provider.
If you need to leave for a medical reason, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator. Do not take exam materials out of the room.
Marks are awarded according to the published assessment criteria, so address the question directly, support claims with evidence from the text, and organise your answer clearly. Check the current criteria and weighting with the provider if the official document is ambiguous.
Any suspicion of cheating, impersonation, or use of unauthorised materials will be handled under the official PAU regulations. Read the rules published for your call and confirm anything unclear with the provider before the exam.