Basque PAU Portuguese exam-day guide
Basque PAU Portuguese · 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. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and whether a copy is sufficient; this is a common reason candidates are turned away.
Exam admission slip / registration confirmation
Print or download whatever confirmation the organising body issues. Check the exact venue, room, and session time on it rather than relying on memory. If no document is issued, confirm with the provider what proof of registration to bring.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (two or more)
Answers are normally handwritten on official sheets. Bring spare pens of the same colour; do not rely on pencil for final answers unless the instructions for your subject explicitly allow it.
Pencil, eraser, and sharpener
Useful for rough work and for any multiple-choice answer sheet. Confirm with the provider whether answer sheets are machine-read and whether only a specific pencil grade is required.
Approved calculator
Check the subject rules: some papers allow a scientific calculator, others restrict the model or forbid it entirely. Confirm with the provider which models are permitted and whether memory must be cleared.
Analogue watch
Many venues have no visible clock and phones must be switched off. A simple non-smart watch lets you pace yourself. Smartwatches are usually prohibited.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Some venues require transparent containers so invigilators can check contents quickly. Confirm with the provider whether any bag may be kept at the desk.
Water in a clear bottle with the label removed
Hydration helps in long sessions. Labels are often required to be removed; confirm local rules on drinks in the exam room.
Know the venue route and arrival time
Do a dry run or check transport timetables in advance. Plan to arrive well before the stated start; late entry rules vary and are usually strict. Confirm the arrival time with the provider.
Leave phones and smart devices at home or switched off and stored
Any device that can connect, store, or transmit information is typically banned from the desk. Even an alarm going off can lead to removal of your paper.
Check language and dictionary rules
For language subjects, confirm whether a monolingual or bilingual dictionary is allowed and which editions are accepted. Do not assume; rules differ by subject and session.
Review the official instructions for your specific subjects
Paper structure, optional sections, and time allocation differ between subjects. Confirm the current format with the provider rather than relying on older past papers.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content. Reread your own summary sheets and correct past mistakes. Confirm venue, session time, transport, and the full list of permitted materials with the provider. Prepare the ID, admission slip, and stationery in one place. Sleep on a normal schedule; do not plan all-night revision.
Do a light review of formulas, key dates, and essay or answer structures, then stop early. Pack the bag: ID, admission slip, pens, pencil, eraser, calculator if allowed, watch, water. Check the weather and travel plan. Eat a normal meal and go to bed at your usual time.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water. Leave earlier than the route requires. Arrive at the venue with time to find the room and check seating lists. Keep phones off and stored before entering the room. Use the waiting time for a calm glance at your summary sheet, not for cramming new material.
Read the cover page and instructions carefully: number of questions, optional sections, marks per question, and any choice requirements. Check that your paper is complete and legible. Write your identifying details exactly as instructed. Scan the whole paper and allocate time per section before starting.
Answer the questions you are most confident about first if the paper allows it, but keep to your time allocation. Show working where marks are given for method. Watch the clock at fixed checkpoints and leave time to transfer answers to the official sheet and check numbering. If you run out of time, write brief outline points rather than leaving blanks, where the rubric allows it.
Check that every required question has an answer, that numbering matches the answer sheet, and that your name and details are correct. Cross out rough work if instructed. Hand in all materials as directed and do not discuss the paper with others until you have left the examination area.
Rules to check
Bring the identity document that matches your registration and present it when requested. If you are unsure which documents are accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Arrive by the stated time. Late admission is at the discretion of the organising body and may not be possible once the paper has started; confirm the exact cut-off with the provider.
Keep phones, smartwatches, and any other electronic devices switched off and stored away from the desk for the whole session. Unauthorised devices can lead to invalidation of your paper.
Only use materials explicitly permitted for your subject. If a calculator, dictionary, or formula sheet is allowed, check the permitted type and conditions with the provider in advance.
Follow invigilator instructions about seating, filling in answer sheets, and when you may leave. Do not communicate with other candidates during the session.
Breaks, including toilet visits, are usually limited and may be escorted; confirm the venue's policy with the provider. Plan hydration so you do not lose writing time.
Scoring and marking rules, including penalties for optional sections or wrong multiple-choice answers, are set by the organising body. Read the instructions on the paper itself and confirm any unclear rule with the provider.
Academic honesty applies throughout: do not bring in unauthorised notes, do not look at others' work, and do not remove exam materials from the room. Suspected irregularities are handled under the provider's procedure.