Madrid PAU Technical Drawing Applied to Arts and Design II exam-day guide
Madrid PAU Technical Drawing Applied to Arts and Design II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official photo ID (DNI, passport, or residence card)
The document must be original, valid, and bear a recent photograph. Confirm with the provider whether a photocopy or digital ID is accepted; do not assume. Keep it in a single accessible place, not buried in a bag.
Exam admission slip or registration confirmation
Print the document issued by the organizing university or PAU office. Confirm with the provider whether a printed copy is required or a digital version is acceptable. Check that your name, subjects, and exam site match your registration.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (at least two) and spare ink
Use dark ink for all handwritten answers and labels. Avoid gel pens that smudge under rulers, and avoid pencils for final answers unless the instructions explicitly permit them. Bring a spare pen of the same colour.
Pencil (HB and 2B), eraser, and sharpener
Use pencil for construction lines, guide arcs, and preliminary sketches. A 2B pencil is useful for soft construction; HB holds a sharper point for fine work. Bring a block eraser and a pencil sharpener or mechanical pencils with spare leads.
Technical drawing instruments: compass, dividers, set squares (45° and 30°–60°), protractor, ruler
Check that the compass holds a sharp lead and locks at a fixed radius. Bring a 30 cm ruler and a smaller ruler if you use one. Confirm with the provider whether any instrument type (for example, a rolling ruler or an adjustable set square) is restricted.
Clear or transparent pencil case
Many exam sites require transparent cases so invigilators can check contents quickly. Confirm with the provider whether this is mandatory at your site. Keep only drawing tools and pens inside; leave notes and phone outside.
Watch (non-smart, silent)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch without communication features is usually allowed, but confirm with the provider. Do not rely on a phone for time.
Water in a clear bottle with the label removed
Stay hydrated during a long drawing test. Confirm with the provider whether bottles are allowed and whether labels must be removed. Avoid noisy containers and sugary drinks that may spill on your sheet.
Light jacket or layers
Exam halls can be cold or draughty, and a two- to three-hour drawing session is uncomfortable if you are cold. Confirm with the provider whether outerwear must be removed or stored at the front.
Know your exam site, room, and start time
Check the venue and room assignment on your admission slip and confirm with the provider if anything is unclear. Visit the site or map the route in advance. Arrive with enough margin for security checks and finding the room.
Review the official instructions for the specific paper
Confirm with the provider the exact duration, the number of questions or options, whether all questions are compulsory, and what drawing materials are permitted. The structure can vary by year and by university, so do not rely on memory or on what a previous candidate told you.
Leave phone and smart devices at home or switched off and stored
A phone or smartwatch in the exam room can be treated as a serious irregularity even if unused. Confirm with the provider where devices must be deposited. Do not keep a phone in a pocket during the test.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: re-read your admission slip, verify the venue, room, and start time, and check transport. Confirm with the provider any rule you are unsure about, such as permitted instruments, transparent case requirements, or whether water is allowed. Prepare your instrument set and test the compass: draw a circle, check the lead, and tighten the hinge. Replace worn leads and blunt pencils. Do a timed practice paper under exam conditions, focusing on the question format you expect, and review the official instructions for the paper.
Pack the checklist in one bag: ID, admission slip, pens, pencils, eraser, sharpener, compass, dividers, set squares, protractor, ruler, clear case, watch, water, and layers. Lay out clothes. Do a light review of construction procedures and standard layouts rather than learning new material. Check that your ID is valid and that the name matches your registration. Set two alarms. Eat a normal meal and sleep at a reasonable hour; do not stay up late drawing.
Eat a proper breakfast and avoid excessive caffeine. Re-check that your ID and admission slip are in the bag. Leave earlier than the map suggests to absorb delays. On arrival, locate the room and confirm the seating or registration procedure with the invigilator. Keep your phone off and stored as instructed. Set out your instruments on the desk before the start, and listen carefully to the instructions read aloud.
Read the entire paper first and note the marks and any choice of questions. Allocate time by marks, and reserve the final minutes for checking. Set out the sheet with a title block or identification as instructed, and keep construction lines light and final lines firm. Show construction arcs and auxiliary lines where the method is being assessed. Label points and answers clearly. If you are unsure about a question, start with the constructions you know and return to it. Do not spend too long on one item; a partially completed second question can earn more than a perfect first one. Before the end, check that your name and candidate details are on every sheet, that all required questions are attempted, and that no stray marks or notes remain.
Rules to check
Bring original, valid photo ID and your admission slip. Confirm with the provider what identification is accepted and whether the admission slip must be printed. A candidate without the required documents may be refused entry.
Arrive before the start time stated on your admission slip. Confirm with the provider the late-entry policy; do not assume you will be admitted after the exam has begun.
Do not bring notes, books, or unauthorised material into the exam room. Phones and smart devices must be switched off and stored as instructed. Confirm with the provider the exact device policy and the consequences of a device being found in your possession.
Follow the invigilator's instructions at all times. Do not communicate with other candidates during the test, and do not borrow or lend instruments unless the invigilator explicitly permits it.
Write and draw only in the spaces and on the materials provided. Do not remove exam sheets or materials from the room. Confirm with the provider whether rough paper is provided and whether it must be handed in.
If you need to leave the room for a permitted reason, raise your hand and wait for the invigilator. Confirm with the provider the rules on breaks and toilet visits, as these vary by site and are often not allowed during the final part of the exam.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for the paper. Show construction lines and method where required, because marks may be awarded for correct procedure and not only for the final result. Confirm with the provider how marks are distributed across questions.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a problem with your conditions, report it to the invigilator immediately and follow the official incident procedure. Confirm with the provider how incidents are recorded and appealed.