Valencian Community PAU Artistic Foundations exam-day guide
Valencian Community PAU Artistic Foundations · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Official ID document
Bring the original DNI/NIE or passport in force. The exact accepted documents and whether a photocopy is valid must be confirmed with the centre or the Conselleria before the exam; do not rely on a copy.
Exam call/sede confirmation
Check your personal assignment: date, time, building, and room. Confirm with the provider whether the call is published online or sent individually, and print or save the confirmation.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Practical drawing and analysis answers are handwritten. Bring spares; pencil is normally for construction lines only, so keep final answers in ink.
Graphite pencils and sharpener
HB and 2B for sketching, construction lines, and shading. Bring a sharpener or spare sharpened pencils.
Eraser and blending/soft putty eraser
A putty eraser lifts graphite without damaging paper; useful for keeping the sheet clean and for light tonal work.
Ruler, set square, and protractor
Standard technical-drawing instruments for geometric construction, perspective, and measured drawing tasks.
Compass with spare leads
Needed for circles, arcs, and geometric constructions. Check the hinge holds its radius and pack spare leads.
Colour media allowed by the instructions
Coloured pencils or markers for colour-theory and composition exercises. Confirm the permitted media in the official instructions, since some tasks restrict technique.
Watch (non-smart)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you manage the timed practical tasks if the room clock is not visible. Smartwatches are normally not allowed.
Clear water bottle and small snack
Stay hydrated and keep energy for a long session. Keep the bottle clear and label-free; confirm whether food is permitted in the room.
No phone or smart devices in the work area
Leave the phone switched off and stored as instructed. Confirm the centre's storage rule; unauthorised devices can lead to disqualification.
Read the paper's instructions and mark allocation first
Before drawing, note the number of tasks, their weighting, and any required formats (sheet layout, labelling, or written justification).
Plan the day
Re-read the official programme and confirm which blocks are examined and how the practical paper is structured. Build a one-page summary of the core content: colour theory (primary/secondary/tertiary, complementary and analogous schemes, simultaneous contrast), elements and principles of design (line, shape, form, texture, value, space; balance, rhythm, proportion, emphasis, unity), composition and layout, perspective and basic geometric construction, image analysis and visual communication, and the main art movements with their formal characteristics. Verify the exact syllabus with the provider rather than relying on summaries.
Do two timed dry runs under exam conditions: one analytical task (describe and interpret an artwork or image using formal vocabulary) and one practical task (a composition or colour exercise). Use the same instruments you will bring and the same time budget, then review where you lost time.
Prepare and pack the instrument kit and check every item works: compass hinge, spare leads, eraser condition, pens with ink. Practise one geometric construction and one quick tonal sketch with the exact tools.
Memorise a short analysis template you can apply to any image: identification (author, title, date, movement if known), description of what is shown, formal analysis (composition, line, colour, light, texture, space), and interpretation/context. This saves planning time in the exam.
Light review only: your one-page summary, the analysis template, and a few key vocabulary terms in Valencian/Castilian as the paper is delivered. Do not start new topics.
Confirm logistics: route to the centre, travel time, and arrival margin. Lay out ID, confirmation, instruments, watch, water, and snack together so nothing is forgotten.
Sleep a full night. Practical drawing and timed analysis depend on steady hand control and clear reading of instructions, both of which degrade with fatigue.
Eat a proper meal and arrive early enough to find the room calmly. Check the instruments once more, especially pen ink and compass leads.
Keep the phone off and stored per the centre's rule. Avoid last-minute cramming that raises anxiety; skim only your summary sheet.
Read the whole paper before drawing. Note the number of tasks, the marks for each, and any compulsory format. Allocate time per task and reserve 5–10 minutes at the end for checking and labelling.
Plan the layout on the sheet with light construction lines before committing in ink or colour. Keep the sheet clean, label diagrams where required, and prioritise the highest-weight tasks. If a task stalls, move on and return.
Use the analysis template: identify, describe, analyse formally, interpret. Write in clear paragraphs with specific visual evidence rather than generic statements, and watch the clock so written answers do not consume drawing time.
Check that every task has an answer, that required labels and justifications are present, and that your name and details are filled in as instructed. Hand in only when the invigilator indicates.
Rules to check
Bring the original ID document required by the call and place it on the desk if asked. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted before exam day.
Follow the invigilator's instructions on start, finish, and materials. Do not begin writing or drawing before the signal and stop immediately when time is called.
Switch off phones and smart devices and store them as instructed. Unauthorised devices in the work area may be treated as a serious irregularity; confirm the centre's specific rule.
Use only the drawing and colour media permitted by the paper's instructions. If a task restricts technique, follow the restriction even if another medium would look better.
Raise your hand for the invigilator if you need to leave the room; breaks during the exam are normally escorted and may not be permitted in all cases. Confirm the centre's policy.
Do not communicate with other candidates or share materials during the exam. Keep your work covered and your instruments to yourself.
Write your identifying details exactly as instructed on every sheet you hand in. Unidentified or mislabelled sheets may not be marked.
Scoring follows the official weighting in the paper: allocate effort to the highest-value tasks and include any required written justification, since missing justification can lose marks even when the drawing is good. Confirm the exact marking criteria with the provider.