PAU Artistic Drawing II (Madrid) exam-day guide
PAU Artistic Drawing II (Madrid) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo ID (DNI, passport, or equivalent)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy or a photo on your phone. The identity check happens before you enter the room; if your document is expired or does not match the registration, you may be refused entry. Confirm with the provider which documents they accept and whether a digital ID is valid in your centre.
Exam summons / registration confirmation and proof of payment
Print the summons or confirmation email the provider issued to you. Some centres ask for it at the door alongside your ID. Keep it in a plastic folder so it does not get smudged by charcoal or ink.
Confirm the exact venue, room, and entry time
The provider assigns the venue; it may not be your usual school. Check the address and the call time on your summons, and plan to arrive with margin. If the summons does not state the room, confirm with the provider beforehand rather than relying on staff at the door.
Check which drawing media and supports are permitted
The exercise usually asks for a specific technique or leaves a choice. Confirm with the provider whether graphite, charcoal, coloured pencil, pastel, ink, or mixed media are allowed, and whether you must bring your own paper or the centre supplies it. Do not assume; the rules can change between calls.
Drawing materials you are allowed to use
Bring your usual kit: graphite pencils in a range of hardnesses (for example 2H to 6B), a sharpener or craft knife, a kneaded eraser and a plastic eraser, blending stumps, a soft brush or cloth for clearing dust, and fixing spray if permitted. Pack them in a transparent case if the provider requires see-through containers.
Dry media only unless the provider says otherwise
Wet media (oil paint, solvents, spray fixative with strong fumes) are often restricted in shared rooms for ventilation and damage reasons. If you plan to use them, confirm with the provider in advance and check whether a designated space exists.
Support boards, clips, and masking tape
A rigid board and clips keep your paper stable on a sloping desk or easel. Masking tape is useful for clean borders. Check whether tape or fixative is allowed on the centre's furniture and paper.
Watch or small silent timer
You need to track the time without relying on a phone, which is usually not allowed at the desk. A simple analogue watch is safest. Confirm with the provider whether any timing signals are announced during the test.
Water and a light snack
Drawing sessions can run several hours. Bring water in a closed bottle and something quiet to eat during authorised breaks. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed in the exam room.
Leave your phone and smart devices at home or switched off and stored
Phones, smartwatches, and earbuds are normally prohibited at the desk. If you must bring a phone, confirm with the provider where it should be stored and whether it must be surrendered at the door.
Practise the full time limit at least once before the exam
Complete a timed drawing from a prompt under exam-like conditions, including setting up and clearing away. This tells you how long your setup, blocking-in, and finishing really take, which is the most common source of lost marks.
Confirm late-entry and early-leaving rules
Policies on arriving after the start and leaving before the end vary by centre. Confirm with the provider; do not assume you can enter late or leave early.
Plan the day
Re-read the official instructions and the assessment criteria if the provider publishes them. Confirm the venue, call time, permitted materials, and whether paper is supplied. Assemble your full kit and test every pencil and sharpener. Do two or three timed drawings from different prompts, focusing on composition, proportion, and tonal range rather than on detail. Review your weak points (for example perspective, hands, drapery, or light logic) and do short focused studies. Sleep normally; do not start a new technique the night before.
Pack the bag: ID, summons, materials, board, clips, tape, watch, water, snack, transparent case. Lay out clothes and plan the route and transport, including a backup option. Check the weather and whether you will need to carry materials in the rain. Do one short warm-up sketch only, then stop. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol, and go to bed early. Read the summons once more for the exact entry time.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the venue with generous margin. Use the toilet before entering the room. Have your ID and summons ready at the door. Set up your station calmly: board, paper, pencils ordered by hardness, eraser, water within reach. Listen carefully to the invigilator's instructions and read the whole prompt before making a mark. Note the start and end times on your watch.
Spend the first few minutes analysing the prompt and planning the composition; decide the format, viewpoint, and focal point. Block in the overall proportions and main masses lightly before committing to tone. Work from general to specific, checking proportions at arm's length and stepping back regularly. Keep an eye on the clock and reserve the last portion of the time for resolving edges, strengthening contrast, and cleaning the sheet. If you finish early, use the remaining time to check the work against the brief rather than adding unnecessary detail. Stop immediately when time is called and follow the invigilator's instructions for handing in.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID and your summons; entry can be refused if identity cannot be verified. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Phones, smartwatches, and earbuds are normally prohibited at the desk. Confirm with the provider where devices must be stored and whether they must be switched off.
Use only the media and supports the provider permits. If the call for your session does not state them, confirm with the provider before the exam day rather than assuming.
Do not talk to other candidates or exchange materials during the test. Raise your hand and wait for the invigilator if you need something.
Breaks and toilet visits are usually supervised and may not extend your working time. Confirm with the provider how breaks are handled in your centre.
Arriving late or leaving early may be restricted or refused. Confirm with the provider; do not rely on being admitted after the start.
Scoring is based on the published assessment criteria for the exercise, typically covering composition, proportion, observation, tonal and colour handling, technique, and adherence to the brief. Ask the provider for the official criteria if they are not published.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on handing in, labelling your work, and clearing your station. Work submitted after time is called may not be accepted. Confirm with the provider how the work must be identified.