Basque PAU Spanish Lang & Lit II exam-day guide
Basque PAU Spanish Lang & Lit II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or passport (original, valid)
Bring the original photo ID you registered with. Photocopies and expired documents are usually rejected; if your ID is expired or lost, confirm with the provider (your school or the Universidad del País Vasco/EHU coordination) what alternative proof is accepted before exam day.
Exam venue and seat confirmation
Check your assigned centre, building, floor and call time on the official PAU convocatoria published by the Basque university district. Arrive at least 15-20 minutes before the call; late entry rules vary, so confirm with the provider if you are delayed.
Printed or downloaded timetable of your subjects
Know the exact start and end time of Lengua Castellana y Literatura II and of every other exam you sit that day, so you can plan breaks and lunch. Timetables are published per session; verify on the official site.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Write in ink, not pencil, unless a specific section says otherwise. Bring spares; pens are not supplied and borrowing during the exam is disruptive.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Useful for rough notes, planning outlines and any multiple-choice or box-ticking sections. Keep them in a clear pencil case if your centre restricts what is on the desk.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. Smart watches and phones must be switched off and stored away; a plain analogue or digital watch is safer.
Clear water bottle with labels removed
Hydration helps during a long writing paper. Some centres restrict bottles or labels; confirm with the provider if you are unsure.
No phones, smart devices or notes in the exam room
Leave them switched off in your bag at the back or as instructed. Possession of unauthorised material, even unused, can lead to disqualification from the paper.
Review the prescribed reading list and text excerpts
Lengua Castellana y Literatura II in the Basque PAU tests literary texts from the official reading list (works and authors set for your year) plus language reflection. Confirm the current list and any changes with your teacher or the official convocatoria; do not rely on memory of previous years.
Practise the exact paper structure under timed conditions
The paper typically combines a text commentary (summary, theme, structure, language features) with a literature question and/or a written composition. Confirm the current weighting and optionality with the provider, then rehearse with past PAU papers from the Basque district under real timing.
Small snack and water for between papers
If you sit two exams in one session, bring something quick to eat outside the room. Check whether food is allowed in the waiting areas.
Transport and backup plan
Plan your route and a backup (earlier bus/train, lift, taxi number). Traffic or weather can delay you; knowing the backup reduces stress.
Plan the day
Confirm logistics: venue, call time, ID, transport and the timetable for every subject. Print or download the official convocatoria and highlight your exam slots. Check the current reading list and paper format once more against your notes, and resolve any doubt with your teacher rather than guessing.
Do one full timed mock of the Lengua Castellana y Literatura II paper under exam conditions: no notes, phone away, strict timing. Mark it honestly against the official criteria (content, organisation, expression, spelling). List the two or three weaknesses to fix, not everything.
Targeted revision only: literary movements, authors and works on the list, key rhetorical and metric terms, and a bank of quotations or short textual references you can use accurately. Rehearse a reliable commentary structure (introduction, summary, theme, structure, language, conclusion) and a composition plan (thesis, arguments, examples, conclusion). Do not start new topics.
Light review of your summary sheets and a final look at the paper instructions and marking criteria. Prepare clothes, ID, pens, watch, water and snack the night before. Eat normally, avoid all-nighters, and set two alarms. Confirm the call time one last time.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive early, and keep conversation with other candidates light. Once seated, read the whole paper before writing: identify the options, choose the text or question you can handle best, and allocate minutes per section (for example, planning, writing, checking). Write your name and details exactly as instructed.
Spend the first few minutes planning and annotating the text. Answer every required part, keep handwriting legible, and leave space between sections. Watch the clock: aim to finish 10 minutes early to check spelling, accents, agreement, punctuation and that you have answered the exact question asked. If you run out of time, write brief but complete points rather than leaving blanks.
Do not dissect answers with classmates if you have another exam; move straight to a short break, water and a calm review of the next subject's structure. Keep your materials together so nothing is lost before the next session.
Rules to check
Bring the original valid ID you registered with; if it is lost or expired, ask the provider in advance what alternative is accepted. Do not assume a photocopy will be allowed.
Arrive before the call time. Entry after the exam has started is at the centre's discretion and may not be permitted; confirm the late-entry policy with the provider rather than relying on rumour.
Switch off phones and all smart devices and store them away before entering the room. Unauthorised material, even if unused, can lead to removal from the paper or disqualification.
Write in the language and format the paper requires, answer the exact questions set, and do not exchange materials or talk during the exam. Follow the invigilator's instructions on breaks, toilets and leaving the room.
Use only permitted materials. Dictionaries, annotated texts or electronic aids are generally not allowed in this paper; confirm the current rules for your centre with the provider.
Respect the official timing: stop writing immediately when told. Work done after the signal may not be marked.
If you need to leave temporarily (toilet, illness), raise your hand and follow the invigilator; time is not usually extended, so confirm the centre's practice in advance.
Scoring is based on the official marking criteria for the paper, including content, organisation, expression and spelling. Confirm the current weighting and any penalties with your teacher or the official convocatoria; do not rely on second-hand claims.