Balearic Islands PAU Portuguese II exam-day guide
Balearic Islands PAU Portuguese II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the same ID you registered with (DNI, passport, or equivalent). Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a copy is valid.
Exam venue and session confirmation
Re-check the assigned building, room, and call time on the official PAU calendar or your registration receipt the day before. Venues can change between the ordinary and extraordinary sittings.
Printed or downloaded exam timetable
Know the exact start time of the Portuguese II paper and whether it overlaps with another subject you are sitting. Confirm with the provider how overlaps are handled.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write in ink; pencil is normally only acceptable for diagrams or drafts. Confirm with the provider whether correction fluid or erasable pens are permitted.
Pencil, eraser, and ruler
Useful for planning answers and for any table or diagram. Keep them in a clear pencil case if transparent containers are required.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. Smart watches and phones must normally be switched off and stored away; confirm with the provider where devices are kept.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Stay hydrated for a long writing paper. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk in your room.
No unauthorised materials
Dictionaries, grammar reference sheets, notes, and electronic translators are normally not allowed in the language paper. Confirm with the provider whether any monolingual or bilingual dictionary is permitted for Portuguese II.
Arrive early
Plan to be at the venue well before the call time to allow for ID checks and seating. Confirm with the provider the exact cut-off after which entry may be refused.
Read the whole paper first
Spend the first few minutes scanning all sections and the marks available, then allocate time proportionally before you start writing.
Check answer format requirements
Note whether answers must be written in Portuguese, in full sentences, or in a specific box, and whether extra sheets are provided. Confirm with the provider if the instructions are unclear on the day.
Plan a short final review
Reserve the last minutes to check spelling, accents, verb agreement, and that every question has been attempted.
Plan the day
Re-read your own summary of the Portuguese II syllabus: text comprehension strategies, grammar points (verb tenses, subjunctive, pronouns, connectors), and written production structure. Do one timed past-paper-style practice under exam conditions, then mark it against the criteria you have been taught and list your three weakest areas. Confirm the venue, call time, and permitted materials with the provider now, not later.
Light review only: skim your grammar notes and a short list of useful connectors and formal expressions for the writing task. Prepare your bag with ID, pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, watch, and water. Check transport to the venue and set two alarms. Sleep a full night; avoid cramming new vocabulary that you will not consolidate.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the venue with time to spare. Leave phones and smart devices switched off and stored as instructed. Once seated, fill in your name and details exactly as they appear on your ID, read the cover instructions carefully, and note the total time and any section word limits.
First five minutes: scan the paper and choose your optional questions if there is a choice; write a quick time budget on your draft sheet. For comprehension, read the questions before the text and answer in your own words where required. For grammar, apply the rule and check agreement and accents. For the writing task, spend a few minutes planning paragraphs, write legibly, and leave time to proofread. If you run out of time on one section, secure the marks you can and move on; return only if time allows.
Rules to check
Bring the ID document you registered with and present it when requested; if you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Keep phones, smart watches, and any other electronic devices switched off and stored as instructed; unauthorised devices at the desk are normally treated as misconduct.
Do not bring dictionaries, grammar notes, or electronic translators unless the provider has expressly authorised them for Portuguese II; confirm the permitted materials in advance.
Write your answers in the language and format the paper requires; answers in the wrong language or outside the designated space may not be marked.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on entry, seating, toilet breaks, and leaving the room; rules on breaks vary by venue, so confirm with the provider what applies to your session.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the paper has been distributed, and stop writing immediately when time is called.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for the subject, including comprehension, language accuracy, and written production; ask your centre to confirm how the components are weighted if this is not stated in the paper.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem with your conditions, raise it with the invigilator at the time and confirm with the provider afterwards how to record an incident.