La Rioja PAU German exam-day guide
La Rioja PAU German · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or valid photo ID
Bring your original Spanish DNI/NIE or passport. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photocopy is sufficient, since rules vary by call and sede.
Exam venue and session confirmation
Re-check the official La Rioja PAU calendar and your assigned building/room and start time shortly before the exam. Confirm with the provider where your personal assignment is published.
Printed or downloaded exam schedule
Note the exact order and times of your German paper and any overlapping subjects. Confirm with the provider how clashes are handled.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (spares)
Bring at least two working pens plus a spare. Confirm with the provider whether only a specific ink colour is accepted for answer sheets.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any machine-readable fields. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is allowed on the official answer sheet or only on scratch paper.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms may not have a visible clock. Smartwatches and phones are normally not allowed at the desk; confirm with the provider what timepieces are permitted.
Clear water bottle, no label
Hydration helps during a long language paper. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed in the room at your sede.
No phone or smart device at the desk
Leave phones switched off and stored as instructed. Confirm with the provider the exact policy on devices and bags in your room.
Review the official German paper structure
Know the sections (typically reading/listening comprehension, grammar/lexis, and written production) and how marks are distributed. Confirm with the provider the current model and weighting for your call.
Practice with past PAU German papers
Work through official models under timed conditions. Confirm with the provider where the current official models and criteria are published.
Language dictionary policy
Do not assume a monolingual or bilingual dictionary is allowed. Confirm with the provider whether any dictionary is permitted in the German paper; the safe default is none.
Arrive early
Plan to be at the venue well before the stated start. Confirm with the provider the recommended arrival margin and access rules for your sede.
Plan the day
Confirm venue, room, start time and the exact German paper structure from the official source. Re-read the assessment criteria for the written production so you know what earns marks.
Do one full timed past paper in exam conditions, no dictionary or notes, then mark it against the official criteria and list your three weakest areas.
Prepare a compact revision sheet: connectors, tense forms, common structures for opinion and argument, and a short list of typical errors you make. Keep it to one or two pages.
Target the weak areas with short focused exercises rather than new material. Practise writing one short text and one longer text within time limits.
Do a light review of your revision sheet only. Do not start new topics. Check your ID, pens and transport plan are ready.
Sleep a full night. Avoid late cramming; a language paper rewards alertness in reading and listening more than last-minute memorisation.
Eat properly, arrive early, and re-read only your one-page summary. Keep the phone off and stored before entering the room.
Read all instructions and the mark allocation first. Note the time budget per section and stick to it; do not let one difficult item consume the whole paper.
Answer in the language and format requested, write legibly, and leave a short margin for corrections. Reserve the final minutes to check agreement, tenses, spelling and that no item is blank.
Check that your name and identifying details are correctly entered, hand in all sheets as instructed, and do not discuss the paper with others until you have left the venue.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID and place it visibly on the desk as instructed. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what happens if you arrive without them.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times, including on bags, phones and where to sit. Confirm with the provider the device and bag policy for your room.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the paper, and do not bring unauthorised notes or materials. Confirm with the provider what counts as permitted material for the German paper.
Use only the answer sheets and format required. Confirm with the provider whether rough work must be handed in or is discarded, and whether extra sheets are available.
If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator. Confirm with the provider the rules on breaks and toilet access during the exam.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a disruption occurs, report it to the invigilator immediately and note it, rather than trying to resolve it yourself.
Marks are awarded against the official criteria for the paper, including comprehension and written production. Confirm with the provider the current weighting and any penalties for length or format.
If you miss the paper or arrive late, follow the official procedure for your call. Confirm with the provider the rules on late arrival and resits or extraordinary calls.