Balearic PAU Technology & Engineering II exam-day guide
Balearic PAU Technology & Engineering II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original photo ID (DNI, passport, or equivalent) accepted by the Universitat de les Illes Balears for PAU access. Confirm with the provider which documents are valid and whether a copy is accepted, since rules can change year to year.
Exam admission/session document
Print or download the convocatoria document showing your assigned centre, classroom, and exam schedule. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital version is accepted.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write in blue or black ink only unless the instructions say otherwise. Bring spares; pencil is normally reserved for diagrams and rough work.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for technical drawing, sketches, and rough calculations before transferring final answers to ink.
Ruler, set square, and protractor
Technology & Engineering II often involves reading or completing technical drawings, force diagrams, and graphs. A 30-60-90 set square and a straightedge are standard equipment.
Scientific calculator
Bring a non-programmable scientific calculator and check the model against the allowed list published in the PAU instructions. Confirm with the provider whether graphing or programmable calculators are prohibited and whether spare batteries are allowed.
Watch (non-smart)
Classrooms may not have a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch without connectivity is normally acceptable; smartwatches are usually banned. Confirm with the provider.
Clear water bottle and light snack
Sessions can be long and back-to-back. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are permitted in the exam room.
Review the official exam instructions and permitted materials
Read the current year's PAU instructions for Technology & Engineering II, including the structure, optional sections, and any material restrictions. Confirm with the provider if the document is unclear.
Know your centre and room assignment
Check the venue, entrance, and room in advance and plan arrival with margin for traffic or public transport delays. Confirm the exact opening time with the provider.
Prepare a one-page formula and method sheet
Summarise key formulas (kinematics, dynamics, energy, electrical circuits, materials, pneumatics/hydraulics) and solution steps for your own revision. Do not bring it into the exam unless explicitly allowed.
Plan your transport and backup
Identify a backup route and a contact number for the centre. Arriving late can affect access to the exam; confirm the late-arrival policy with the provider.
Plan the day
Move from learning to consolidation. Re-read your formula sheet and solve at least two full past-style papers under timed conditions, focusing on the question types most likely to appear: mechanics problems, electrical and electronic circuits, materials and manufacturing, and technical drawing or graphical representation. Mark every error and write a short correction note. Stop introducing new topics after the first day of this window; instead, revisit weak areas with targeted exercises. Check that your calculator works and that you know how to use its key functions (fractions, powers, roots, trigonometric functions, memory). Confirm the exam schedule, centre, and permitted materials with the provider.
Do a light review only: formula sheet, units, sign conventions, and common traps (unit conversion, significant figures, reading graphs, interpreting circuit diagrams). Prepare your bag with ID, admission document, pens, pencil, ruler, set square, protractor, calculator, watch, water, and snack. Lay out clothes and transport details. Avoid late-night study; sleep is more valuable than one more problem. Set two alarms.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the centre with generous margin. Re-read only your one-page formula sheet on the way; do not attempt new problems. Check that your phone is switched off and stored as required. Locate the room and your seat, and read the instructions on the paper carefully before starting.
Read the whole paper before writing. Identify compulsory questions and optional choices, and note the marks per question so you can allocate time proportionally. Decide your question order: start with the questions you are most confident about to secure marks, then return to harder ones. Write down key data and units for each problem before calculating.
Work steadily and show method, formulas, substitutions, and units at each step; partial credit is usually available for correct reasoning even when the final number is wrong. Draw clear, labelled diagrams for forces, circuits, and mechanisms. Keep an eye on the clock and move on if a question stalls; leave space to return. Use rough paper for checks and transfer final answers clearly.
Check that every required question has an answer, that units and significant figures are consistent, and that diagrams are labelled. Verify arithmetic on key results. Make sure your name and candidate details are filled in as instructed. Do not erase working that may earn partial credit.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID document accepted by the provider and keep it visible on your desk. Confirm with the provider which documents are valid and what to do if you lose your ID before the exam.
Follow the centre's instructions on mobile phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices. They are normally switched off and stored away; unauthorised devices can lead to disqualification. Confirm the exact policy with the provider.
Use only the materials and calculators permitted by the current PAU instructions. Confirm with the provider whether programmable or graphing calculators, formula sheets, or specific drawing instruments are allowed.
Write your answers in the language and format required by the paper, and answer the compulsory and optional sections exactly as instructed. If the wording is ambiguous, ask the invigilator before the exam begins.
Breaks and leaving the room are usually restricted during the exam. Confirm with the provider the rules on toilet breaks, leaving early, and returning to the room.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for Technology & Engineering II; show method and units because partial credit is typically awarded. Do not rely on a single final answer.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem with the conditions, raise it with the invigilator immediately and follow the centre's incident procedure. Confirm the appeals process with the provider.
Academic integrity rules apply: no communication with other candidates, no unauthorised materials, and no attempt to access external information. Consequences are set by the official regulations; confirm details with the provider.