Balearic PAU French (UIB) exam-day guide
Balearic PAU French (UIB) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document (DNI, passport, or residence card)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. It must be valid on the day of the exam. Confirm with the Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB) or your assigned centre which documents are accepted, since invigilators can refuse entry without valid identification.
Exam admission receipt / registration proof
Print or download the proof of registration from the PAU enrolment process. Some centres ask to see it at the door; confirm with your centre whether it is required or whether the list of candidates is enough.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Answers are normally written in ink. Bring spare pens of the same colour so your script stays legible and consistent. Pencil is generally only acceptable for rough work or multiple-choice sheets if the instructions say so.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for annotations, rough drafts, and any answer sheet that requires pencil. Keep them in a clear pencil case so the invigilator can check contents quickly.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch helps you manage the time for each part of the French paper. Smart watches and phones are not allowed as timekeepers.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Staying hydrated helps during a long sitting. Confirm with your centre whether bottles are allowed on the desk; some rooms require them to stay on the floor.
Confirm the exact venue, room, and reporting time
Check your assignment on the UIB PAU information channels a few days before. Campuses and buildings can be large, so locate the room in advance and plan to arrive well before the call time.
Review the official structure and timing of the French paper
Check the current model and instructions published for the Balearic PAU French exam (typically comprehension, lexical/grammatical exercises, and written expression). Confirm the exact sections, marks, and time allocation with the official UIB materials, as formats can change between years.
Practise a full timed paper under exam conditions
Sit at least one complete past or model paper within the official time limit. This trains pacing across sections and exposes which exercise types cost you the most time.
Prepare a short written-expression toolkit
Revise connectors, a few useful structures (opinion, hypothesis, cause and consequence), and a mental outline for the types of writing tasks that appear in the exam. Confirm the current task types with the official model.
No phones, smart devices, or notes in the exam room
Leave mobile phones switched off and stored as instructed, ideally outside the room or in the designated area. Any device found on you during the exam may be treated as misconduct; confirm the centre's specific rules.
Food and medication if needed
If you have a medical need or an officially recognised accommodation, confirm arrangements with the centre in advance. Do not assume you can leave the room for a snack or medication without permission.
Plan the day
Do a final review of the official exam structure and instructions for the French paper and confirm the venue, room, and reporting time. Sit one last timed practice paper, then stop learning new material and focus on consolidating what you already know.
Review your own notes on frequent errors: verb tenses, agreement, prepositions, false friends, and connectors for the writing task. Rehearse a short written expression (around 120-150 words if that matches the current model) and check it against a clear checklist.
Prepare your ID, registration proof, pens, watch, water, and clothing for the next day. Check transport routes and travel time to the venue, including possible traffic or ferry/bus delays if you travel between islands. Get a full night's sleep rather than cramming.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive at the venue with generous margin before the call time, and locate the room and toilets. Keep your phone off and stored before entering. Skim your summary sheet only lightly; avoid last-minute panic revision.
Read the instructions and the whole paper before writing. Note the marks per section and allocate time accordingly, leaving a few minutes to review. Write your name and candidate details exactly as instructed.
Work through the sections in the order that suits you, but keep to your time plan. For comprehension, read questions first, then scan the text; for grammar exercises, check agreement and tense consistency; for the writing task, plan briefly, write, and reserve time to proofread for agreement, spelling, and accents.
Check that every required section has an answer, that your handwriting is legible, and that you have not left answers on rough paper only. Make sure your candidate details are complete before handing in.
Rules to check
Bring valid original photo ID (DNI, passport, or residence card). Without acceptable identification the centre may not allow you to sit the exam; confirm accepted documents with the UIB or your assigned centre in advance.
Arrive before the reporting time. Late arrival may be refused or may cost you exam time; confirm the centre's specific late-arrival policy with the provider.
Mobile phones, smart watches, and any electronic devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. Possession of a device during the exam may be treated as academic misconduct.
Only authorised materials may be on your desk. Dictionaries, notes, and calculators are not normally permitted in the French language paper unless the official instructions say otherwise; confirm with the provider.
Follow invigilator instructions at all times, including on leaving the room, toilet breaks, and talking. Breaks are usually limited and supervised; confirm the centre's break policy rather than assuming you can leave freely.
Write your answers in the required format and ink, and complete all candidate details. Answers left only on rough paper or written in an unauthorised format may not be marked.
Scoring follows the official PAU criteria published for the Balearic Islands, including section weighting and any penalties for errors in the written expression. Check the current marking criteria in the official documentation.
Any suspected irregularity may lead to invalidation of the exam. If you are unsure about a rule, ask the invigilator before the exam begins rather than guessing.