Basque PAU Biology

It is a written paper with two options, A and B, and you choose one. Each option contains several open-response questions, some split into parts, and may include a short text, a described diagram or a data table to interpret. You write your answers in the answer booklet, in Spanish or Basque. The official admissions body publishes the current structure and instructions each year.

The number of questions and the time allowed are set each year by the organising body, so check the official call and the model papers it publishes rather than relying on older information. As a planning rule, divide the available time by the number of questions and leave a few minutes at the end to review terminology and units.

Biology is content-heavy: it rewards memorisation but also demands explanation, interpretation of data and genetic reasoning. Candidates who only memorise definitions often lose marks on questions that ask them to justify or predict. The difficulty is manageable if you cover the full syllabus and practise written answers, because the paper rarely goes beyond the official programme.

Yes, retakes are normally possible in later calls, and the specific subject mark used for admission can usually be improved by sitting the paper again. The rules on how many times, which call counts and how marks are combined are set by the Basque admissions body, so confirm the current conditions on its official website before planning a retake.

Start with biomolecules and enzymes, since they underpin metabolism and molecular genetics. Then move to cell structure and division, metabolism, and genetics, which carries a large share of the paper. Finish with microorganisms, immunology and biotechnology, reproduction and evolution, and ecology. Revise ecology and immunology regularly rather than leaving them to the final weeks.

Typical losses come from answering only part of a multi-part question, using imprecise vocabulary, omitting units or genetic notation, failing to justify an answer when asked to explain, and misreading data tables. Drawing diagrams without labels also costs marks. Reading each question twice and ticking off every part before moving on prevents most of these errors.

Yes. The syllabus includes basic molecular techniques such as PCR, electrophoresis, restriction enzymes and cloning, plus immunity and applied microbiology. Questions often present a short experimental situation and ask you to interpret the result or explain the principle. Learn what each technique does and why it is used, not just its name.

The paper is offered in the official languages of the Basque Autonomous Community, and you normally answer in the language in which you sit the exam, Spanish or Basque. Choose the language in which you write most precisely under time pressure, and use standard scientific terminology consistently, since examiners accept the internationally used technical terms.

Work through complete papers under timed conditions, then mark them against the published criteria and note every point you missed. Group your errors by topic and revisit those syllabus sections. In the last week, focus on genetic problems and on questions requiring explanation, as these are where practice produces the biggest improvement.

No. This is independent study material and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Basque university admissions body, the universities or the secondary schools that organise the exam. Always rely on the official call, syllabus and model papers for binding information about dates, structure, fees and regulations.