Valencian Community PAU Technical Drawing II exam-day guide
Valencian Community PAU Technical Drawing II · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Approved drawing instruments (ruler, set squares, protractor, compass)
Technical Drawing II is a graphic-construction paper, so bring a graduated ruler, 30-60 and 45-45 set squares, a protractor, a compass with a spare lead and needle, and an eraser. Check the current PAU call documents for any restriction on instrument type before the exam; if the year's instructions are ambiguous, confirm with the provider.
Pencils and leads in at least two hardnesses
Bring a harder lead (e.g. 2H) for construction lines and a softer one (HB or B) for final outlines, plus a sharpener. Pre-sharpen several pencils so you do not lose time at the desk.
Black or blue ballpoint/technical pen for labelling
Use a dark, consistent pen for lettering, dimensions and answers so scans or markers can read them. Keep pen and pencil work clearly distinguishable.
Official ID document
Carry the identity document required by the call (typically DNI/NIE or passport). The exact accepted documents are set by the administering university; confirm with the provider if unsure.
Exam registration/seat confirmation and call documentation
Print or save the seat assignment and the official instructions for your assigned venue and session. Read the specific material rules for Technical Drawing II in that document, since permitted aids can vary by year and venue.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many venues require transparent containers. Pack only what the rules allow; leave phone, smartwatch and notes outside the exam room.
Analog or approved watch
Bring a simple watch to pace the construction and drawing sections. Smartwatches and phones are normally not allowed at the desk; confirm the venue's device policy with the provider.
Water and a light snack for before/after the session
Check whether drinks are allowed at the desk; if not, leave them outside the room. Eat before the exam so hunger does not disrupt a long drawing session.
Practice sheets with your standard constructions
In the last days, keep one sheet listing tangencies, conic constructions, dihedral-system steps and standard scales. Review it the morning of the exam, not during it.
Pre-drawn template of common formats (if allowed)
Some candidates prepare a light grid or border template. Whether pre-printed aids are permitted is a venue rule; confirm with the provider before relying on it.
Plan for the answer format
Confirm whether answers go on the official sheet, in a booklet, or both, and whether constructions must be in pencil with pen lettering. The current call document states this; if it is unclear, confirm with the provider.
Backup compass lead, spare eraser and sharpener
A snapped lead or blunt point mid-construction costs minutes. A small spares kit is cheap insurance and is normally permitted.
Plan the day
Re-read the official instructions for your venue: start time, arrival margin, permitted instruments, answer format and any device ban. Resolve open questions with the provider now rather than on the day.
Do one full timed mock under exam conditions: a complete Technical Drawing II paper in the official duration, on the same sheet size, with only permitted instruments. Mark it against the standard constructions you have studied.
Review your error log from the mock. Prioritise recurring losses: imprecise tangency points, missing construction lines, unlabelled dimensions, poor line hierarchy and rushed lettering.
Pack the pencil case, ID, call documentation and spares. Check compass and pencils physically; sharpen everything and test the compass radius lock.
Do a light review only: one page of standard procedures (perpendiculars, parallels, angle bisectors, tangencies, conic definitions, dihedral projections, scales). Sleep early; do not start a new topic.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive at the venue with a generous margin, and locate the room and seat. Keep the review sheet short and calming.
Before entering, switch off and stow your phone and smartwatch as the rules require. Confirm you have ID, call documentation and the permitted pencil case.
Read the whole paper and note the marks per question. Allocate time proportionally, reserve time for final inking and labelling, and decide the order: usually start with the construction you are most confident in.
Work in light construction lines first, then firm up final lines. Keep construction arcs visible where the method is being assessed, and label points, dimensions and answers clearly.
At the halfway mark, check progress against your time plan. If one construction is stalling, leave it, secure the marks elsewhere, and return only if time allows.
Check that every question has an answer, all final lines are darker than construction lines, dimensions and labels are legible, and your name/seat details are filled in as required.
Rules to check
Bring and display the identity document required by the call. The list of accepted documents is set by the administering university; if the instructions are unclear, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Follow the venue's rules on phones, smartwatches and other electronic devices; normally they must be switched off and stored away from the desk. Ask the invigilator if you are unsure what is permitted.
Use only instruments and materials allowed for Technical Drawing II in the current call. If a specific aid's status is not stated, confirm with the provider rather than assuming it is allowed.
Do not communicate with other candidates or share instruments during the exam. Raise your hand for an invigilator if you need something.
Leaving the room during the exam is normally restricted and may require an escort; ask the invigilator about the venue's break and exit policy rather than leaving on your own.
Marks are awarded for correct construction method as well as the final result, so keep necessary construction lines and arcs visible unless the instructions say otherwise.
Write and label legibly in the required medium; illegible or ambiguous answers may not receive credit. Follow the specified answer format exactly.
If you believe there is an error in the paper or a rule is unclear, ask the invigilator at the time; do not rely on assumptions about scoring, timing or permitted materials.