La Rioja PAU Biology exam-day guide
La Rioja PAU Biology · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or passport
Bring the original national identity document (DNI) or passport in force. Confirm with the provider which document is accepted and whether a photocopy is ever admissible; assume the original is required.
Exam admission/registration proof
Print or download the confirmation of your registration for the La Rioja PAU (Prueba de Acceso a la Universidad). Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy must be shown at the door.
Official exam schedule and room assignment
Check the official calendar and the venue/room assigned to you, published by the Universidad de La Rioja and the Consejería de Educación. Rooms and timetables can change; re-check the day before.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Bring spare pens. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is allowed for drafts or multiple-choice answer sheets; do not assume correction fluid is permitted.
Pencil, eraser and ruler
Useful for drafts and for any multiple-choice answer sheet. Confirm with the provider whether these are allowed in your specific exam room.
Simple calculator (if your subject allows it)
Only bring a calculator if the subject's instructions permit it. Confirm with the provider the permitted model (typically non-programmable, non-graphing, no stored text); programmable or graphing calculators are usually banned.
Analog watch
Bring a simple watch to manage time; phones must stay off and stored. Confirm with the provider whether a clock is visible in the room.
Water and a light snack
Exams can be long and sessions may chain together. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk; keep the bottle label-free if in doubt.
No phone or smart device at the desk
Leave phones, smartwatches and earbuds switched off and out of reach. Confirm with the provider where devices must be deposited; possession at the desk may be treated as misconduct.
Know the language of your answers
Answers are written in Spanish for the standard subjects; check the instructions for language subjects. Confirm with the provider whether any subject permits answers in another official language.
Plan transport and arrival time
Arrive at the venue well before the scheduled start; late entry rules vary. Confirm with the provider the exact cut-off for admission to the room.
Read the subject instructions on the paper
Each paper states its structure (options, compulsory questions, scoring). Read it before writing; do not rely on memory of past papers.
Plan the day
Confirm the official timetable, venue and room for each of your subjects with the Universidad de La Rioja / Consejería de Educación. Re-read the instructions for each subject, especially calculator rules, paper structure and scoring (for example whether you choose between options A and B or answer compulsory blocks). Make a one-page sheet per subject with formulas, key definitions and the scoring scheme, and practise one full past paper under timed conditions.
Pack the checklist items in a bag: ID, registration proof, pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, permitted calculator, watch, water. Check transport routes and travel time to the venue. Sleep a full night rather than cramming; review only your summary sheets. Confirm with the provider anything still unclear (calculator model, device deposit, late-entry rule).
Eat breakfast, take your ID and bag, and arrive early. Leave the phone switched off and stored as instructed. Before entering, check you have the right subject paper and that your name and details are correct on the answer sheet. Use the toilet before the session starts, since breaks during a paper are usually not allowed.
Read the whole paper first and note the marks per question. Allocate time in proportion to marks, leaving a few minutes to check. Answer in the required format and language, show working where marks are awarded for method, and write clearly. If you choose between options, state clearly which option you are answering. Do not spend too long on one question; move on and return. Keep an eye on the clock with your watch.
Rules to check
Bring the original DNI or passport; confirm with the provider which identification is accepted and whether any other document is valid.
Follow the official start and end times strictly. Confirm with the provider the rule on late arrival and whether you may leave the room before the end of the paper.
Phones and smart devices must be switched off and stored away from the desk; possession during the exam may be treated as serious misconduct. Confirm with the provider where devices are deposited.
Use only the material permitted for each subject (for example a non-programmable calculator where allowed). Confirm with the provider the permitted models and any banned items.
Write your answers in the language and format required by the paper, and clearly indicate any option you choose where the paper offers alternatives.
Do not communicate with other candidates or use unauthorised material; follow the invigilators' instructions at all times.
Scoring follows the official criteria published for each subject; check the paper's own instructions for the mark allocation and any penalties. Confirm with the provider any rules on presentation or legibility that affect marking.
Check the official rules on special needs, illness or incidents before exam day and contact the provider in advance if you need an accommodation.