Madrid PAU Biology exam-day guide
Madrid PAU Biology · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the identity document (DNI, passport, or equivalent) that matches your exam registration. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photocopy is valid; do not assume a student card is enough.
Exam admission/signature sheet
If your centre issued an admission slip, registration confirmation, or signature sheet, print it and keep it with your ID. Confirm with the provider whether it is required or whether the centre supplies it on the day.
Black or blue pens (at least two)
Write answers in ink unless the instructions say otherwise. Bring a spare; pencil is normally only for diagrams or answer sheets where explicitly permitted. Confirm the exact pen colour rule with your centre.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for rough work, diagrams, and any machine-readable answer sheet. Keep them in a clear case if your centre restricts pencil cases.
Approved calculator (if permitted)
Check the current Madrid PAU rules for your subject and confirm with the provider which calculator models are allowed. Do not bring a programmable or graphing model unless it is explicitly permitted.
Ruler and simple drawing tools
A ruler is useful for labelling diagrams and drawing tables. Avoid bringing protractors or other instruments unless the subject instructions allow them.
Clear water bottle and small snack
Hydration helps during a long exam. Confirm with the provider whether drinks and food are allowed at the desk; some centres restrict them.
Watch (non-smart)
Exam rooms may not have a visible clock. A simple analogue watch is safer than a smartwatch, which is normally prohibited. Confirm the centre's policy on watches.
Know your room, seat, and start time
Check the call and location published by your centre or the university coordinating the PAU. Arrive with margin for ID checks and seating; confirm the required arrival time with the provider.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or switched off
Mobile phones, smartwatches, and earbuds are normally banned from the exam room. If you must bring a phone, confirm the centre's storage rules in advance.
Review the subject instructions and permitted materials
Re-read the official instructions for Biology and your other subjects, especially what materials are allowed and how the paper is structured. Use only official PAU/university information, not unofficial summaries.
Plan transport and a backup
Identify the route, travel time, and a backup option. Traffic and public transport delays are the most common cause of late arrival.
Plan the day
Confirm the date, time, room, and address from the official call. Re-read the Biology programme and the paper format: multiple-choice, short-answer, and diagram-based questions, and how the optional questions are chosen. Check which materials are permitted and confirm any uncertain point with the provider.
Do one timed full paper under exam conditions. Mark it strictly against the official criteria and list your three weakest topics. Spend the remaining days on those topics rather than re-reading everything.
Review high-yield Biology content: genetics and inheritance problems, molecular biology (transcription, translation, replication), metabolism (photosynthesis and respiration), cell division, and immunity. Practise drawing and labelling diagrams from memory, since diagrams are often worth explicit marks.
Pack your bag: ID, pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, approved calculator if allowed, water, and any admission document. Lay out clothes and confirm transport. Do a light review of formulas and key definitions only; avoid new material.
Sleep at your normal time. Do not study late into the night; fatigue costs more marks than one extra hour of revision gains.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive early, and keep away from last-minute group discussions that can raise anxiety. Re-check that phones and smart devices are off and stored as the centre requires.
Read the instructions and the whole paper before writing. Note the marks per question and identify which optional questions you will answer. Check that the paper matches your subject and that no pages are missing.
Answer the questions you know best first to secure marks, then return to harder ones. For genetics problems, show the cross, genotypes, and reasoning; for diagrams, label clearly and use a ruler. Watch the clock and leave time for questions you skipped.
Check that every required question is answered and that optional choices match the instructions. Verify units, symbols, and that your name and details are filled in correctly. Do not erase answers unless you are sure of the replacement.
Rules to check
Bring the ID document that matches your registration and present it when requested. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Arrive at the time stated in the official call. Late-entry rules vary by centre, so confirm with the provider rather than assuming you will be admitted.
Phones, smartwatches, and other electronic devices are normally prohibited in the exam room. Confirm the centre's storage policy and switch devices off before entering.
Use only the materials the instructions permit. If a calculator or other aid is allowed, confirm the permitted models with the provider in advance.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, starting, and finishing. Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam.
Write your answers in the required format and medium. If you need to leave the room, follow the invigilator's procedure; confirm break rules with the provider.
Scoring is based on the official marking criteria for each question. Show working and label diagrams, because method and labelling can earn marks even when the final answer is imperfect.
If you believe there is an error in the paper, raise it with the invigilator according to the centre's procedure. Do not rely on unofficial appeals advice; confirm the process with the provider.