Basque PAU Italian exam-day guide
Basque PAU Italian · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the identity document (DNI, passport, or equivalent) that matches the name on your registration. The exact accepted documents and whether a photocopy is valid are set by the administering university - confirm with the provider before exam day.
Exam admission slip / registration proof
Print or download whatever confirmation the coordinating university issues for the convocatoria you registered for. If you are unsure whether an admission slip is required or how to obtain it, confirm with the provider.
Blue or black pens (at least two)
Write legibly in ink. Bring a spare in case one fails; pencil is normally only for multiple-choice answer sheets if your exam uses them.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful if any part of the exam uses a machine-readable answer sheet. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted for the written sections.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch without connectivity lets you pace the reading and writing sections.
Clear water bottle and a light snack
Sessions can run long. Keep the bottle label-free if the venue rules require it; check local instructions.
No phone or smart devices at your desk
Phones, smartwatches, and earbuds must normally be switched off and stored away. The exact storage rule is venue-specific - confirm with the provider.
Know the venue, room, and start time
Check the assignment published for your convocatoria and, if possible, visit the building beforehand so you know the entrance and travel time.
Plan arrival with a buffer
Arrive well before the call time to allow for ID checks and seating. The exact cut-off for late entry is set by the venue - confirm with the provider.
Review the exam structure and timing
Know in advance how many texts, questions, and minutes the Italian paper gives you, so you can allocate time without surprises.
Rest and language warm-up the day before
A short review of connectors, verb forms, and text-type conventions is more useful than cramming new vocabulary the night before.
Plan the day
Re-read the official exam description for Italian: text types, number of questions, and weighting of comprehension versus written production. Make a one-page sheet of the structures you most often get wrong (verb tenses, agreement, connectors, register) and practise one timed reading task and one short written task.
Do a full timed practice under exam conditions, then mark it yourself against the task requirements: did you answer every question, respect the word limit, and cover all content points? Note the two or three error types that cost you most marks.
Light review only: your error sheet, a few model text structures, and useful linking phrases. Prepare your bag with ID, pens, watch, water, and admission documents. Confirm the venue, room, and start time. Sleep early rather than studying late.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive early, and keep warm-up light - skim a short Italian text rather than starting new material. Leave phones and smart devices stored as the venue requires.
Read the instructions and the whole paper before writing. Note the marks per section and set a time budget, reserving a few minutes at the end for checking.
Skim for gist, then read questions before close reading. Underline evidence in the text, answer in the language and format requested, and do not copy long stretches of the source.
Spend a minute planning structure and key vocabulary, write with clear paragraphs, and watch register and connectors. Leave time to reread for agreement, tense consistency, and spelling.
Check that every question is answered, word limits are respected, and your name and details are filled in as instructed. Hand in materials exactly as the invigilator directs.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document that matches your registration; the list of accepted documents and any photocopy rules are set by the administering body - confirm with the provider.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on seating, materials on the desk, and when you may start and stop writing; talking or passing materials during the exam is treated as misconduct.
Phones, smartwatches, and other connected devices must be off and out of reach; the exact storage arrangement is venue-specific - confirm with the provider.
If you need to leave the room (toilet, illness), raise your hand and wait for permission; leaving unaccompanied may end your exam, and the exact break policy varies by venue - confirm with the provider.
Answer in the language and format the paper specifies: Italian for written production, and the requested language for comprehension answers. Off-format answers may not be marked.
Respect word limits and do not copy passages from the reading text into your own production; assessment rewards original, coherent writing.
Do not bring unauthorized reference materials, notes, or dictionaries unless the official instructions explicitly allow them - confirm with the provider whether a monolingual dictionary is permitted.
Scoring and weighting are set by the exam regulations for your convocatoria; check the official description of the Italian paper so you know how marks are distributed before exam day.