Madrid PAU Performing Arts II exam-day guide
Madrid PAU Performing Arts II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or passport (original, valid)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether an expired document is allowed; do not rely on a digital copy on your phone.
Exam admission slip / matrícula proof
Print or download whatever the provider issues as proof of registration. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required and whether the seat/room assignment appears on it.
Check exact venue, room, and access door
Confirm with the provider the building, room, and which entrance opens for candidates. Campuses can have several gates; arriving at the wrong one costs time.
Confirm start time and required arrival margin
The published start time is not the arrival time. Confirm with the provider how early candidates must be seated and what happens to late arrivals; policies vary and you should not assume a grace period.
Confirm permitted materials for the practical component
Ask the provider which instruments, scores, scores-in-progress, or reference materials are allowed in the room and which must be left outside. Do not assume anything beyond what is confirmed.
Instrument-specific needs (if you perform)
If your practical involves an instrument, confirm with the provider whether you bring your own, whether a piano or backline is provided, and how warm-up time and tuning are handled. needs_review
Plain writing materials
Several pens or pencils, an eraser, and a sharpener. Confirm with the provider which colours/ink types are permitted for the written or analytical parts.
Water and a light snack for the break
Bring something that does not require preparation in the room. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk or only outside.
Watch (non-smart) and no phone reliance
Mobile phones are typically not usable as timekeepers. Confirm with the provider the rule on phones and smart devices and where they must be deposited.
Plan the journey and a backup route
Madrid transport can fail at peak times. Identify a second route and a realistic buffer; aim to be near the venue well before the required arrival margin.
Rest, voice/hands, and hydration the day before
For performance components, protect your voice and hands in the last 24 hours: no shouting, no heavy lifting, no unfamiliar physical strain.
Confirm scoring and weighting before the day
Check with the provider how the practical component is weighted and whether there are separate minimum thresholds. Knowing the structure prevents wasted effort on the day. needs_review
Plan the day
Re-read the official instructions from the provider: venue, time, permitted materials, and the structure of each part of the practical. Write down open questions and ask them now, not on the morning.
Do a timed dry run of the practical under exam conditions: same duration, same materials, no pauses. Note where you lose time and fix the plan, not the content.
Prepare and pack the bag: ID, admission proof, writing materials, water, and any confirmed instrument-related items. Leave the bag packed so nothing is decided at the last minute.
Light review only: structure of the tasks, terminology, and your own notes. Avoid learning new material this late; consolidate what you already control.
Confirm the journey with a live check of Madrid transport and any planned works. Set two alarms and tell someone your departure time.
Rehearse the opening minutes of each task mentally: how you will read the prompt, how you will allocate time, what you will do if a task is harder than expected.
Protect your voice and hands, eat normally, avoid alcohol and late screens, and sleep at your usual time. Do not cram into the night before a performance-based exam.
Eat a normal breakfast, hydrate moderately, and leave with a buffer that gets you to the venue before the required arrival margin. Do not plan to revise on the move.
Final bag check against the checklist before leaving. Phone charged but expected to be deposited; confirm the provider's device rule at the door.
Locate the room and the toilets first, then settle. Keep your ID and admission proof accessible for checking.
Read the whole paper or task list before starting. Allocate time per section and keep a hard reserve for the final task; a rushed ending costs more marks than a slow start.
If a task stalls, write the structure and move on; return later. Do not spend more than the planned time on any one item.
For performance or practical components, do a brief controlled preparation (breathing, posture, tuning) within whatever time the provider allows, and confirm beforehand what that allowance is.
Before handing in, check that every required section is attempted, your identification is filled in correctly, and nothing has been left inside the answer booklet.
Rules to check
Bring the original valid ID document; without acceptable identification you may be refused entry. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what to do if yours is lost or being renewed.
Arrive before the required arrival margin. Late-arrival policy varies and is not something to assume; confirm with the provider in advance what happens if transport fails.
Mobile phones and smart devices must be switched off and deposited or kept out of reach as the provider instructs. A device sounding or being used during the test is commonly treated as a serious irregularity.
Only use materials the provider has confirmed as permitted. If you are unsure whether an item is allowed, leave it outside and ask before the test begins.
Follow invigilator instructions immediately and completely. If you believe an instruction is unclear, raise your hand and ask rather than guessing.
Breaks and leaving the room are usually controlled; confirm with the provider the rules on toilet breaks, leaving early, and whether you may leave before the end of the session.
Do not communicate with other candidates once the test has begun, and do not take any test material out of the room.
Scoring and any minimum thresholds are set by the provider and the university access rules. Confirm the weighting and pass conditions with the provider rather than relying on second-hand information.