Madrid PAU Portuguese exam-day guide
Madrid PAU Portuguese · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original DNI, passport, or residence card you registered with. Photocopies and digital copies are normally not accepted. Confirm with the provider which documents are valid for your case.
Exam admission slip / matrícula proof
Print or download the document showing your assigned seat, room, and exam session. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital version is accepted.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Bring spares. Answers written in pencil may be considered invalid on some official exams; confirm with the provider which writing instruments are permitted.
Pencil and eraser
Useful for drafting and for any multiple-choice answer sheet if one is used. Confirm with the provider whether machine-readable sheets are part of the Portuguese exam.
Analog watch (no smart functions)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. Smartwatches and phones are usually prohibited at the desk; confirm with the provider how time will be announced.
Transparent water bottle
Stay hydrated, especially for a long reading-and-writing paper. Label it. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed in the exam room.
Know your exact building, room, and access door
University campuses can be large and entrances are sometimes restricted on exam day. Check the venue the day before and plan which gate to use. Confirm with the provider where the Portuguese exam is held.
Arrive early (aim for 30-45 minutes before)
Allow time for ID checks, finding the room, and settling in. Confirm with the provider the exact cut-off time after which entry is refused.
Leave phone and smart devices switched off and stored
Devices must usually be off and out of reach, not merely silenced. Confirm with the provider where to leave them if lockers are not provided.
Review your own error patterns, not new grammar
In the last days, reread your marked practice texts and note your recurring mistakes (verb tense, agreement, prepositions). Do not try to learn new content at the last minute.
Plan food, water, and transport for the day
Sessions can run long with little break. Arrange transport in advance and identify a nearby place to eat. Confirm with the provider the expected duration and any scheduled breaks.
Check the language of instructions
Confirm with the provider whether instructions are given in Portuguese, Spanish, or both, and whether a dictionary is allowed. Do not assume.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: venue, room, start time, ID requirements, and permitted materials by checking the official notice or contacting the provider. Print the admission slip if required. Do one full timed mock under exam conditions (reading, language use, writing) to calibrate your pacing, then mark it and list your top three recurring errors.
Review your error list and your own notes on connectors, verb tenses, and text structure. Practise one short writing task (for example an informal email or an opinion paragraph) in the time you expect to have. Do not start new grammar topics.
Pack your bag: ID, admission slip, pens, pencil, eraser, watch, water. Lay out clothes. Check the route and travel time, including any transport disruptions. Do light review only (connectors, useful phrases for the writing task) and stop early. Sleep at your normal time; do not study late.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the venue 30-45 minutes early. Keep your phone off and stored from the moment you enter the building. Once seated, read the whole paper before writing: check the number of questions, the marks, and whether there is a choice. Note the official end time and divide your remaining time across sections, leaving 5-10 minutes to check agreement, accents, and spelling.
Start with the section you find most reliable to build momentum, but never leave the writing task to the last five minutes. Read each instruction twice and underline the task words (for example 'escreva um email informal', 'justifique com o texto'). For reading tasks, locate the evidence in the text before answering. For the writing task, spend two minutes planning paragraphs and useful connectors, then write, then reread for verb endings, gender/number agreement, and accents. If a question blocks you, mark it and move on; return only if time allows. Write legibly and cross out cleanly rather than using correction fluid unless permitted.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID you registered with. If your ID is lost or expired, contact the provider before the exam; do not assume another document will be accepted.
Phones, smartwatches, and any connected devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. A device found at the desk, even unused, can lead to disqualification. Confirm with the provider the exact rule.
Enter only with permitted materials. Dictionaries, notes, and annotated texts are usually prohibited unless the provider explicitly allows them for this paper; confirm in advance.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on timing and on when you may leave. Leaving during the final minutes or before the stated time may not be allowed; confirm with the provider.
Breaks are usually not permitted during the exam. If you have a documented need, request an accommodation from the provider well before the exam date.
Write your answers in the spaces or sheets indicated. Answers outside the designated areas, or in pencil where pen is required, may not be marked. Confirm with the provider.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for this exam, including grammar, vocabulary, and task achievement in the writing. Do not expect partial credit for unanswered items; confirm the weighting with the provider.
Academic honesty applies: no communication with other candidates, no sharing of materials, and no attempt to access unauthorized information. Suspected misconduct is handled under the provider's regulations.