Valencian Community PAU Foreign Language II - English (Lengua Extranjera II: Inglés) exam-day guide
Valencian Community PAU Foreign Language II - English (Lengua Extranjera II: Inglés) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
DNI or passport (original, valid)
Bring the original document, not a photocopy. It is the standard identification for PAU exams in the Valencian Community; confirm with your school or the Universitat the exact documents accepted if you hold a foreign ID.
Exam venue and seat assignment
Check your assigned building, room, and call time on the official PAU notice published by the university (usually the Universitat Politècnica de València or Universitat de València, depending on your assignment). Arrive with margin; confirm the exact call time with your centre.
Printed or downloaded exam timetable
Confirm the day and start time of Lengua Extranjera II: Inglés and whether it is in the same block as other subjects. Timetables are published by the PAU organising commission; verify the final version, as times can differ between the ordinary and extraordinary sittings.
Blue or black ballpoint pens (at least two)
Answers are handwritten. Bring spare pens and, if you use it, correction tape or a small eraser; confirm with the invigilator whether correction fluid is allowed, as rules vary by venue.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
Mobile phones must normally be switched off and stored away. A simple analogue or digital watch helps you manage the 90-minute paper without relying on the room clock; smartwatches are generally not permitted, so confirm with the provider.
No unauthorised materials
Dictionaries, grammar reference sheets, notes, and electronic devices are not allowed during the exam. Leave them outside the room or in the designated area; confirm the exact policy on bags and phones with your centre.
Read the paper instructions carefully
The English paper typically has a reading comprehension section, a use-of-English section, and a writing task. Check the number of questions and the marks or weighting before you start, since the weighting determines how you allocate time.
Plan the writing task
Spend a few minutes planning structure, register, and key vocabulary before writing. Leave time to check verb tenses, subject–verb agreement, spelling, and word count if a minimum is specified.
Manage the answer sheet
Write clearly, number answers exactly as on the paper, and keep answers within the indicated spaces. If you make a mistake, cross it out neatly; confirm with the invigilator how corrections should be marked.
Water and a light snack
If the exam is in a long block with other subjects, bring water in a clear bottle and a snack for the break. Confirm with the venue whether food and drink are allowed inside the exam room.
Arrive early and locate the room
Aim to be at the venue well before the call time. Late entry rules are set by the organising university; if you are delayed, contact your centre immediately and confirm the policy with the provider.
Review the official PAU instructions
Read the current year's instructions on the PAU website for the Valencian Community, including the structure of the English paper, the duration, and any changes to the format. Confirm details with your school's PAU coordinator.
Plan the day
Confirm the exact date, time, and venue of the English exam on the official PAU notice, and check that your ID is valid. Review the paper format: reading comprehension, use of English, and writing, with the weightings given in the official instructions. Do one timed practice paper under exam conditions.
Build a short revision list of high-frequency grammar points: verb tenses, conditionals, passive voice, reported speech, modal verbs, comparatives, prepositions, and linking words. Review typical writing formats (opinion essay, informal email, article, review) and prepare a small bank of useful connectors and phrases.
Do a light review only: skim your notes and error list, reread one model writing, and check the structure of the exam. Prepare your materials: ID, pens, watch, water, printed timetable, and directions to the venue. Sleep at a normal time and avoid learning new material.
Eat breakfast, arrive at the venue with margin, and check the room and seat assignment. Switch off your phone and store it as instructed. Read the whole paper before answering, note the marks per section, and decide your time allocation, for example roughly 40 minutes for reading and use of English and 35–40 minutes for the writing, keeping a few minutes to check.
Answer the reading questions in the order you find easiest, but write final answers on the answer sheet as you go. For use of English, read the whole sentence before choosing a form. For the writing, plan for 3–5 minutes, write, then reserve 5 minutes to check tenses, agreement, spelling, punctuation, and word count. If time runs short, make sure every question has an answer; there is no penalty for a reasoned attempt unless the official rules say otherwise.
Rules to check
Bring original photo ID (DNI or passport) and place it on the desk for inspection; candidates without valid identification may be excluded, so confirm accepted documents with your centre if unsure.
Mobile phones and other electronic devices must be switched off and stored away for the whole exam; using or even holding an unauthorised device can lead to disqualification. Confirm the exact policy with the provider.
Dictionaries, grammar references, notes, and unauthorised materials are not permitted. Only materials explicitly allowed in the official instructions may be used.
Follow the invigilators' instructions on start and finish times, filling in the answer sheet, and leaving the room. Do not start writing before the signal or continue after the final signal.
Breaks and leaving the room during the exam are at the invigilator's discretion and may be restricted; ask before the exam if you anticipate needing to leave. Confirm the venue policy with the provider.
Write legibly in the language of the paper and answer in English unless a question explicitly asks for translation or another language. Unclear or ambiguous answers may not receive credit.
Scoring follows the official marking criteria for the English paper, including comprehension accuracy and writing assessment (content, organisation, grammar, vocabulary, and spelling). Check the weightings in the current official instructions.
Academic integrity rules apply: any attempt to copy, communicate with other candidates, or use unauthorised aids may result in annulment of the exam. Report any irregularity to the invigilator immediately.