Madrid PAU Technical Drawing II exam-day guide
Madrid PAU Technical Drawing II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original, valid photo ID required by your examination centre (DNI, passport, or equivalent). Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photocopy is valid; do not assume a digital copy will be accepted.
Exam admission slip or registration confirmation
Print or download the admission document if your centre issues one. Confirm with the provider whether it must be printed or can be shown on a phone.
Approved drawing instruments
Bring a compass, set squares (45° and 30°–60°), a ruler, a protractor, sharp pencils (HB and 2H or similar), an eraser, and a pencil sharpener. Confirm with the provider which instruments are permitted; do not bring instruments with printed formulas or notes.
Black or blue pens
Bring at least two pens for labelling, titles, and any written answers. Confirm with the provider whether answers must be in ink or pencil; technical drawing constructions are often required in pencil.
Coloured pencils or fineliners (if permitted)
Some solutions use colour to distinguish construction lines from final outlines. Confirm with the provider whether colour is allowed and whether it affects scanning or scoring.
Watch (non-smart)
Bring a simple analogue or digital watch without communication features. Confirm with the provider whether a watch is allowed in the room and whether the hall has a visible clock.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require transparent storage. Confirm with the provider the exact rule for pencil cases and bags.
Water in a clear bottle
Bring a transparent bottle with no label if permitted. Confirm with the provider whether drinks are allowed at the desk.
Review the official instructions and scoring criteria
Re-read the current exam instructions for the number of questions, choice, time, and weighting. Confirm with the provider the exact structure and whether there is an optional section.
Plan travel and arrival time
Arrive at the centre with enough margin for ID checks and seating. Confirm with the provider the recommended arrival time and late-entry policy.
Leave prohibited items at home
Do not bring smartphones, smartwatches, notes, or formula sheets unless explicitly permitted. Confirm with the provider where bags and phones must be stored.
Check permitted calculators
Technical Drawing II may involve numerical work such as scales and tangency calculations. Confirm with the provider whether a calculator is allowed and which models are permitted.
Plan the day
Re-read the official exam instructions and confirm the structure, time, and permitted materials with the provider. Practise full past-paper-style tasks under timed conditions, focusing on the constructions you find slowest: tangencies, conic sections, dihedral projections, and isometric or cavaliera representations. Prepare a one-page personal checklist of construction steps and common errors, then set it aside for exam day. Check your drawing instruments: compass needle sharp, set squares clean, pencils sharpened. Confirm travel arrangements and the exact location of the centre.
Pack the checklist items in one transparent bag. Do a light review of construction procedures and notation (line types, labelling, dimensioning conventions) rather than learning new material. Avoid late-night study. Confirm the start time and arrival time with the provider. Prepare clothing and transport for the morning. Get a full night's sleep.
Eat a normal breakfast and arrive at the centre early. Re-check that ID, admission slip, and instruments are with you. Keep the personal checklist in your bag if the centre allows materials outside the room; do not bring notes to the desk unless permitted. Stay calm and avoid comparing preparation with other candidates.
Read the whole paper first and note the marks and suggested time for each question. Start with the question you can complete most reliably, then move to harder constructions. Draw construction lines lightly and keep them visible; do not erase them unless the instructions say otherwise. Label all points, lines, and views clearly. Watch the clock and reserve the final 10–15 minutes for checking units, scales, line types, and that every required view or dimension is present. If a construction fails, leave a clear note of your method so partial credit can be considered, but confirm with the provider whether notes are accepted.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID required by the centre. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a photocopy or digital ID is valid.
Follow the centre's rules on prohibited items. Phones, smartwatches, and notes must be switched off and stored as instructed; confirm with the provider where they must be left.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the test. Raise your hand and wait for an invigilator if you need to ask a question; invigilators may not explain technical content.
Confirm with the provider the policy on breaks, leaving the room, and returning to the exam. Do not assume that a break is allowed or that time stops.
Write and draw only in the permitted medium and on the permitted paper. Confirm with the provider whether pencil, ink, or colour is required for different parts of the paper.
Do not use unauthorised instruments, printed formula sheets, or annotated equipment. Confirm with the provider which drawing aids and calculators are allowed.
Follow the instructions for identifying your work. Do not write your name on answer sheets if the paper uses anonymous candidate numbers; confirm with the provider the correct identification procedure.
Scoring follows the official mark scheme, which typically rewards correct construction method, accuracy, and clear labelling. Confirm with the provider the weighting of each question and whether construction lines are assessed.