Balearic PAU Geology & Env Sci exam-day guide
Balearic PAU Geology & Env Sci · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo ID (DNI, passport, or equivalent)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. The exact accepted forms and whether an expired document is valid should be confirmed with the organizing university or the Conselleria d'Educació before exam day; if in doubt, treat this item as needs_review and carry a second valid ID if possible.
Exam admission slip / matrícula proof
Print or download whatever document the provider issues confirming your registration and assigned venue. The precise name and format of this document vary by convocatòria, so verify the requirement with the provider (needs_review).
Blue or black pens (at least two) plus spares
Written PAU-style exams are answered in ink on official answer sheets. Carry several working pens of the same colour; avoid pencil for final answers unless a drawing or graph specifically calls for it.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Needed for sketches, geological cross-sections, graphs, and any rough plotting before committing answers in ink. Keep them in a clear pouch.
Ruler and protractor
Useful for drawing and reading cross-sections, strike/dip symbols, and axis-labelled graphs. A small transparent set square also helps.
Simple scientific calculator
Environmental Science and Geology items may involve unit conversions, gradients, densities, or percentages. Confirm with the provider which calculator models are permitted and whether programmable or graphing models are banned (needs_review).
Analogue watch or silent timer
Exam rooms may not have a visible clock and phones are usually not allowed at the desk. A plain wristwatch lets you allocate time across questions. Confirm any device restrictions with the provider.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Hydration matters in long morning sessions. Remove or cover brand labels if the venue requires it; confirm the venue's exact policy on drinks with the provider (needs_review).
Light layers and comfortable clothing
Exam halls can be cold in the morning and warm later. Dress in layers you can remove quietly without disturbing others.
Venue route and arrival time planned in advance
Check the assigned building and room the day before, plan transport, and aim to arrive well before the stated call time. Exact access and closing times must be confirmed with the provider (needs_review).
Phone switched off and stored as instructed
Even a silent phone can be treated as a violation if it is at your desk. Follow the invigilator's storage instruction exactly; confirm the venue's device rule with the provider.
Reviewed formula sheet and key diagrams (your own notes)
In the final hours, reread your own summary of formulas, unit conversions, rock-cycle and plate-tectonic terms, and environmental indicators. Do not bring loose notes into the exam room unless the provider explicitly allows it.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating. Reread your summaries of the syllabus blocks most likely to appear: internal and external geological processes, rocks and minerals, tectonics, and for Environmental Science the atmosphere, hydrosphere, energy and waste. Rehearse the structure of the practical items: reading a map or cross-section, interpreting data tables, and writing a short justified conclusion. Confirm your assigned venue, room, and start time with the provider rather than relying on memory.
Do one full timed mock under exam conditions, mixing a geology exercise with an environmental data question. Mark it yourself against the official criteria you have been given, then list your three weakest skills. Spend the rest of the day on those three only, using short targeted practice rather than rereading whole topics.
Pack the checklist items in one bag: ID, admission document, pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, protractor, calculator, watch, water. Check the calculator's battery. Reread your one-page formula and terminology sheet. Confirm transport and set two alarms. Stop studying by early evening, eat normally, and sleep a full night; cramming new material now costs more in fatigue than it gains in marks.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the venue with margin. Leave the phone off and stored per instructions. Before entering, skim only your summary sheet, not new material. Once seated, read the front of the paper carefully: number of questions, any choice between options, and the marks per item. Write your identifying details exactly as instructed before starting.
Read the whole paper once. Note which questions are compulsory and which offer a choice, and how marks are distributed. Allocate minutes roughly in proportion to marks, leaving a reserve of about ten minutes for checking. Start with the question you can answer most confidently to settle nerves, but keep to your time budget.
For data or map questions, state what the data show before interpreting: identify the trend, the anomaly, or the geological structure, then explain the process behind it. Label axes, units, and diagrams. Show working for calculations so partial credit is possible. Write in short, structured sentences with clear headings; if you run out of time, leave bullet points rather than blank space. If a question is unclear, ask the invigilator only about wording, never about content.
Check that every required question has an answer, that your ID details are correct, and that units and significant figures are consistent. Correct obvious slips but avoid rewriting whole answers. Hand in all sheets as instructed and keep your equipment until you have left the room.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID required by the provider and place it on the desk if asked. The exact accepted documents and validity conditions must be confirmed with the provider; do not assume a photocopy or an expired document will be accepted.
Arrive before the stated call time. Late-entry and extra-time provisions vary between convocatòries and venues, so confirm the specific rule with the provider rather than relying on rumour.
Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, must be switched off and stored exactly as the invigilator directs. Confirm in advance which calculators and watches are permitted.
Write answers in the format the paper specifies, using ink for final answers and clearly labelling any diagrams, tables, or graphs. Answers written outside the designated spaces may not be marked.
Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator if you need to leave the room; do not communicate with other candidates at any point. The rules on toilet breaks and re-entry must be confirmed with the provider.
Do not bring unauthorised notes, books, or printed material to the desk. Any material you are allowed to use will be stated on the paper or by the invigilator.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for each question, so show reasoning and working even when the final value is uncertain. The weighting of sections and any penalties for errors should be confirmed with the provider.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a disturbance in the room, report it to the invigilator immediately and follow their instruction; do not attempt to resolve it yourself.