Balearic Islands PAU Mathematics II exam-day guide
Balearic Islands PAU Mathematics II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original national identity document (DNI) or passport, valid and unexpired. The identity document is the standard requirement for Spanish university access exams, but confirm the exact accepted documents with your centre or the Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB) as the coordinating university before exam day.
Exam admission/registration proof
Carry the registration receipt or admission document issued when you enrolled for the PAU (matrícula). Some centres require it at the door to locate your assigned room and seat; confirm with your centre whether a printed copy is required.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (several)
Bring at least two or three pens of the same colour, plus a spare. Answers written in pencil may not be accepted, and corrections should be made by crossing out, not with correction fluid.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for graphs, tables and rough work. Keep rough work clearly separated from final answers, since only clearly identified final answers are graded.
Ruler and, if allowed, set square/compass
Geometry and graph questions in Mathematics II often need straight lines drawn accurately. Check the permitted-materials list for your exam session; if unsure whether compasses are allowed, confirm with the provider.
Approved calculator
Confirm with your centre or the UIB which calculator models are permitted for Mathematics II this year. Do not assume any scientific or graphing calculator is allowed; the permitted list can change between sessions.
Analogue watch
Mobile phones must normally be switched off and stored away, so a simple wristwatch helps you manage time. Smartwatches are generally treated as electronic devices and should not be worn.
Clear water bottle and small snack
Stay hydrated and keep energy up between papers if your centre permits bringing items into the room. Confirm local rules about food and drink with your centre.
Printed summary of formulas you may need
Review a one-page sheet of key formulas (derivatives, integrals, trigonometry, geometry, probability) the day before. Do not bring it into the exam room unless the session rules explicitly allow notes.
Know your room, seat and schedule
Check the centre's published timetable and room assignment in advance. Arrive with enough margin to find the room and complete any identity check without stress.
Plan your route and transport
Know how you will reach the centre and allow extra time for traffic, parking or public transport delays. Being late can cost you reading time or, in some cases, entry to the room.
Rest and a proper breakfast
Sleep well the night before and eat a normal breakfast. Avoid last-minute cramming of new material; a short review of formula sheets and common error patterns is more useful.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating. Re-read your own summaries of the Mathematics II syllabus: matrices and systems, determinants, vectors and geometry in space, limits and continuity, derivatives and applications, integrals and areas, probability and statistics. Do one timed past-paper or mock under exam conditions, then mark it strictly and list your recurring errors (sign mistakes, lost solutions, missing units, incomplete justifications). Confirm the exact date, time, room and permitted materials with your centre.
Review only high-yield items: derivative and integral tables, trigonometric identities, distance and angle formulas in space, normal and binomial distributions, and the structure of the two-option paper. Prepare your materials the night before: ID, pens, pencil, ruler, approved calculator, watch, water. Check transport times and set two alarms. Avoid studying late into the night.
Eat breakfast, take your prepared bag and leave with a generous margin. On arrival, locate your room and seat, switch off your phone and store it as instructed. Once seated, read the instructions on the cover page carefully, including how many questions to answer and whether the two options are exclusive. Take two or three minutes to scan both options and choose the one you can score most reliably on.
Read the whole paper first and allocate time per question according to marks. Start with the questions you are most confident about to secure marks early. Show your working: method marks are usually available even when the final answer is wrong. Write clearly, label each answer with its question number, and box or underline final results. If you get stuck, move on and return later. Keep 10-15 minutes at the end to check signs, arithmetic, units and whether every required question has been attempted.
Rules to check
Bring the original valid identity document required by the centre; a photocopy or expired document is generally not accepted. Confirm the exact acceptable documents with your centre or the UIB before exam day.
Follow the centre's rules on electronic devices: mobile phones and smartwatches must be switched off and stored away. Possession of an unauthorised device during the exam can lead to disqualification.
Use only the calculator and materials permitted for Mathematics II in this session. If you are unsure whether a model or instrument is allowed, confirm with the provider in advance rather than risk a sanction.
Write your answers in the format the paper requires: identify each question clearly, show reasoning, and do not use correction fluid or pencil for final answers unless the instructions say otherwise.
Respect the choice structure of the paper: if the instructions say you must answer one complete option, do not mix questions from both options unless the paper explicitly allows it.
Breaks and leaving the room are at the discretion of the examiners. Ask permission before leaving; do not take exam materials out of the room.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for the session, including partial credit for correct method. Do not expect marks for an unsupported final answer.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem during the exam, raise it calmly with the invigilator and follow the centre's incident procedure; confirm the appeals process with the provider afterwards.