Basque PAU Latin II
Euskadiko Unibertsitatera Sartzeko Ebaluazioa (EvAU) - Latin II
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Cheat sheet
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ExploreCommon mistakes
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ExploreCase studies
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Euskadiko Unibertsitatera Sartzeko Ebaluazioa (EvAU) Latin II examination is the Latin component of the university entrance assessment taken by students in the Basque Country who have followed the Latin II track in Bachillerato. It exists to show that a candidate can work with authentic Latin texts - classical prose and verse - and can explain what those texts mean, how their grammar holds together, and where they sit in Roman literary culture. Most of the paper turns on a passage chosen from the set authors, which the candidate renders into Basque or Spanish with a dictionary at hand; the remaining tasks ask for morphological and syntactic analysis, comment on vocabulary and meaning, discussion of genre, author and context, and, depending on the option selected, either textual criticism and transmission or Latin metrics and prosody. Preparation is best built around steady reading rather than memorised rules: translate short passages regularly, parse every form you meet, and keep a running list of constructions that trip you up. Read about the authors and works you translate, so the commentary feels like an extension of the reading rather than a separate subject. The official body publishes the current structure, timing and scoring arrangements for each sitting; check its website before you plan your revision.
What you'll study
About Basque PAU Latin II preparation
What does the Latin II paper actually look like on the day?
It is a written, paper-based exam. Two options, A and B, are offered and you choose one. Each option contains a Latin text to translate with a dictionary permitted, followed by analysis and commentary tasks. The precise layout and weighting are set by the official body, so confirm them on its website.
How hard is it compared with the Latin I course?
Noticeably harder: passages are longer and more idiomatic, and the commentary expects you to place texts in their literary and historical context. Candidates who have only memorised paradigms struggle. Those who have read widely and can parse unfamiliar forms from context cope well.
Can I resit if I do badly?
Retake arrangements depend on the current EvAU regulation and change from year to year. Do not rely on second-hand information. The official body publishes the rules on retakes and on how previous results are treated, and that page is the one to check before you plan.
How much time do I get, and how should I divide it?
The official body publishes the duration for each sitting. In practice, budget most of your time for the translation, because it carries the largest share of the marks, then work through the analysis and commentary briskly. Leave a few minutes to reread your version for agreement and case errors.
Is a dictionary allowed, and which one?
Dictionary use is permitted during the translation. Check the current instructions for any restrictions on which dictionaries may be brought in. Whatever you use, practise with it beforehand: knowing how to find an oblique form quickly saves more time than memorising extra vocabulary.
What order should I study the syllabus in?
Start with reading: short passages from the set authors, parsed fully. Add morphology and syntax as they appear in those passages rather than as isolated lists. Bring in literary and cultural background once you know the texts, and leave metrics or textual criticism until the reading is comfortable.
What are the most common ways candidates lose marks?
Translating word by word and ignoring case endings; leaving subordinate clauses unfinished; writing a vague commentary that names the author but says nothing about genre or context; and misreading a dictionary entry without checking which sense fits the sentence. Careful rereading catches many of these.
Should I answer in Basque or Spanish?
The exam is delivered in both, and you may normally answer in whichever language the instructions allow. Choose the one in which you write most accurately under pressure, and keep terminology consistent. Confirm the language rules in the current official instructions.
Where do I find the official exam details?
The Basque university entrance assessment is administered through the official body responsible for EvAU in the Basque Country. Its website publishes the current structure, timing, scoring and administrative rules. Treat any other source, including this page, as guidance only and verify the details there.