Madrid PAU Chemistry exam-day guide
Madrid PAU Chemistry · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original DNI, passport, or residence card matching the identity you registered with. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photocopy is ever allowed; assume originals only.
Exam admission/registration proof
Print or save the confirmation showing your assigned exam centre, session, and any registration code. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or a digital copy suffices.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Written answers in the Madrid PAU are handwritten. Bring two or three reliable pens of the same colour so a failure mid-exam costs no time.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any answer sheet that permits pencil. Do not rely on pencil for final answers unless the instructions say so.
Approved calculator
Check the current year's rules for your specific subjects: some papers allow calculators, others restrict models or forbid them. Confirm with the provider and with your school, and know how to clear its memory.
Ruler, set square, and protractor
Needed for geometry, technical drawing, and graph work in physics, chemistry, and mathematics papers. Keep them in a clear case.
Analog watch
Exam rooms may not have a visible clock, and phones are usually banned from the desk. A simple non-smart watch lets you manage time; confirm with the provider whether any watch is allowed.
Clear water bottle with label removed
Hydration matters in a long session. Remove labels and confirm with the provider whether drinks are permitted in the room.
Light layers and a snack for between papers
Sessions can run long with several papers in one day. Dress in layers for variable room temperature and bring a quick snack for the break area, subject to centre rules.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or switched off in your bag
Any device that can connect or store information is typically treated as a serious irregularity if found on you. Confirm with the provider where bags are stored.
Know your exact centre, room, and arrival time
Check the assignment the day before and plan the route, including public transport disruptions. Aim to arrive well before the call time; confirm with the provider how early doors open.
Review the subject-specific instructions and formula allowances
Some papers provide a formula sheet, periodic table, or instructions page. Confirm with the provider what materials are supplied so you do not bring prohibited aids.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content. Work through one past paper per subject under timed conditions, then mark it against the official criteria and list your three most frequent error types. Re-read the instructions page of each subject so you know the format, the number of questions, and whether there is a choice. Prepare your materials bag and confirm your centre assignment.
Do light review only: key formulas, units, common reaction types, and the structure of each paper. Pack the checklist items in one bag. Check transport times and any planned works. Sleep a full night; do not study past late evening. Confirm with the provider any last-minute logistical details such as entrance location or staggered arrival.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the centre with margin. Keep your ID and admission proof accessible. Switch off your phone and put it away before entering the building. Once seated, read the cover instructions, count the pages, and note the total time and mark allocation before writing.
Read the whole paper first and choose questions deliberately if there is a choice. Allocate minutes roughly in proportion to marks and keep a few minutes at the end for checking. Show working and units, since method marks are usually available. If you get stuck, move on and return later rather than losing time. Write legibly and label answers with the question number.
Rules to check
Bring the original identity document you registered with and keep it on the desk if instructed; confirm with the provider which documents are accepted.
Arrive before the call time. Late entry rules vary by centre, so confirm with the provider what happens if you are delayed.
Phones and any smart or connected devices must be switched off and stored away from your desk; possession during the exam is typically treated as a serious irregularity.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on when you may start writing, whether rough paper is allowed, and how to hand in your paper and any answer sheets.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam, and do not bring unauthorised notes, books, or aids into the room.
Use only the materials permitted for each subject; check the current rules on calculators and formula sheets with the provider before the exam day.
Breaks and leaving the room are at the invigilator's discretion; confirm with the provider the policy on toilet breaks and whether extra time is granted.
Scoring is based on the official mark scheme for each subject, with method and reasoning often earning credit; write clear steps rather than only final answers.