Madrid PAU Music & Dance exam-day guide
Madrid PAU Music & Dance · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo ID (DNI, passport, or NIE card)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted for the specific PAU sitting and whether the same ID used at registration is required.
Exam admission slip / registration confirmation
Print or download whatever proof of registration the organising university or Consejería issues. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is mandatory or a digital version is accepted.
Black or blue pens (at least two) and a spare
Written answers are usually handwritten. Bring pens you have already tested; avoid erasable ink unless the instructions explicitly allow it.
Pencils, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any multiple-choice answer sheet. Confirm with the provider whether rough work must be handed in or crossed out.
Printed blank or ruled paper is NOT usually allowed - check first
Most venues supply answer booklets. Confirm with the provider whether you may bring your own paper; do not assume you can.
Analogue watch (no smart features)
Many rooms have no visible clock and phones must be switched off. A plain wristwatch is the safest way to pace yourself.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Staying hydrated matters for a long practical session. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are permitted in the room.
Instrument-specific kit for the practical part
For Music practicals, bring only what the instructions list (e.g. your own instrument where permitted, rosin, reeds, tuning fork if allowed). Confirm with the provider exactly what is provided versus what you must bring.
Dance footwear and appropriate clothing
Bring shoes you have already danced in and clothing that does not restrict movement. Confirm with the provider whether changing rooms are available and whether a specific dress code applies.
No phones, smartwatches, or notes in the exam room
Leave them switched off and stored as instructed. Confirm with the provider where bags and devices must be left.
Know the exact venue, room, and arrival time
Check the call sheet the day before. Arrive with margin for transport delays; confirm with the provider the cut-off time after which entry is refused.
Review the official instructions for your specific instrument or discipline
Repertoire, scales, sight-reading, and accompaniment rules differ by specialty. Confirm with the provider the current published programme for your option.
Plan the day
Re-read the official call sheet and the specialty instructions. Confirm venue, room, arrival time, and what is provided versus what you must bring. Resolve any doubt with the provider now, not on the day.
Run a full timed mock of the practical: perform your programme or set pieces end to end under exam-like conditions, including the transitions between items. Note where you lose time or focus.
For Music, confirm accompaniment arrangements (pianist, tuning, page turns). For Dance, confirm the music track or accompaniment and the floor and footwear you will use.
Do a lighter technical session focused on the weakest passages, then stop heavy practice. Prioritise sleep over extra repetitions from here on.
Lay out clothing, footwear, ID, admission slip, pens, water, and instrument kit. Check instrument condition (strings, reeds, straps, rosin) and repair anything now.
Confirm travel route and timing, including a backup plan. Check the weather and any transport disruptions. Set two alarms.
Do a short, gentle run-through only - no new material, no forcing range or stamina. Review the structure of your programme and your cues.
Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol and late screens, and sleep at your usual time. Pack everything by the door.
Eat a normal breakfast you are used to; avoid trying new food or excessive caffeine. Do a brief warm-up (scales, breathing, gentle stretching) rather than a full rehearsal.
Arrive at the venue with generous margin. Locate the room, toilets, and where bags are left. Have ID and admission slip in hand.
Follow the invigilator's instructions exactly. Read the whole paper or programme before starting; allocate time per section and keep an eye on your watch.
For written parts, answer the questions you are sure of first, then return to harder ones. Write legibly and label answers clearly.
For practical performance, take a moment to settle before you begin, announce or present as instructed, and recover calmly from any slip rather than restarting unless the rules allow it.
Use any permitted breaks to rest and refocus; confirm with the provider in advance what break rules apply during your session.
Note anything you were unsure about while it is fresh, and check the published dates and procedure for results and any review or appeal. Confirm details with the provider.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID required for your sitting and keep it on your desk if instructed. If you are unsure which document is accepted, confirm with the provider before the exam day.
Arrive by the stated call time. There is usually a cut-off after which entry is refused; confirm with the provider the exact rule and whether any allowance is made for delays.
Phones and smart devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. Having a device on your person during the exam can be treated as misconduct; confirm with the provider where devices must be left.
Do not bring notes, books, or unauthorised aids into the room. For practical exams, bring only the equipment explicitly permitted for your specialty; confirm the list with the provider.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on starting, finishing, and handing in materials. Writing after the final instruction or continuing to perform after being stopped may be penalised; confirm the exact procedure with the provider.
Breaks and leaving the room are usually restricted and may require escort. Confirm with the provider in advance whether breaks are allowed during your session and how they are managed.
Scoring follows the published criteria for your specialty and is carried out by the designated panel. Do not ask invigilators to interpret marks; direct any queries about criteria or results to the provider.
Any request for special arrangements (accessibility, extra time, separate room) must be made in advance through the official channel. Confirm with the provider the deadlines and documentation required.