10 tips from PAU correctors to get a better grade

Every year, thousands of students take the University Entrance Test (PAU) with the aim of obtaining the best possible grade. However, the proofreaders who review the exams agree on one thing: many students lose points not because they do not know the subject, but because of mistakes that could easily be avoided.

If you are going to take the PAU, these tips can help you make better use of your knowledge and avoid mistakes that can make the difference between entering or not entering the career you want.

1. Read the questions carefully before answering

It seems obvious, but it is one of the most frequent mistakes.

Many students begin writing quickly without analysing exactly what they are being asked. As a result, they answer something related to the topic, but they don’t answer the specific question.

Before you begin:

✅ Read the whole question.

✅ Identify the keywords.

✅ Check what action you’re being asked to take.

For example, it is not the same:

• Define
• Explain
• Compare
• Analyse
• Justify
• Rate

Each verb demands a different response.

2. Organize your time well

Time management is one of the keys to success at the PAU.

Many students spend too much time on one question and end up leaving others unanswered.

Remember:

An unanswered question is worth zero points.

It is preferable to answer all the questions correctly than to give a single excellent answer and leave parts of the exam blank.

Practical tip

Before you begin:

• Figure out how much time you can spend on each question.
• Set aside 5-10 minutes to review the exam at the end.

3. Start with what you know best

It is not mandatory to answer the questions in order.

If you see an issue that you have mastered perfectly, start with it.

This has several advantages:

• You gain confidence.
• You get points from the start.
• You reduce initial anxiety.

Once you’re calmer, it’ll be easier to face the toughest questions.

4. Make an outline before writing

Especially in subjects such as:

• History
• Philosophy
• Spanish Language
• Art History
• Geography

Taking a minute to organize your ideas can help you tremendously.

Before writing:

1. Write down the main ideas.
2. Arrange them.
3. Decide how you’re going to structure the answer.

This prevents forgetfulness and makes your text much clearer.

5. Take care of the presentation

Proofreaders review hundreds of exams.

A clear and orderly answer makes your job much easier.

It is not about writing beautifully, but about writing legibly.

Recommendations

✅ Use paragraphs.

✅ Leave spaces between ideas.

✅ Number when necessary.

✅ Avoid excessive cross-outs.

✅ Keep your handwriting clear.

A clean presentation conveys security and makes it easier to read.

6. Don’t memorize without understanding

The new PAU increasingly values reasoning skills.

Therefore, memorizing full texts is usually not a good strategy.

Proofreaders value that the student:

• Understand the contents.
• Relate concepts.
• Argue your answers.
• Use appropriate examples.

Understanding is always more useful than repeating from memory.

7. Answer exactly what you’re asked

Many students write down everything they know about a topic.

But that doesn’t always add up to points.

In fact, it can hurt you.

If you’re asked something specific, focus on answering exactly that question.

Example

If the question is:

“Explain two causes of the Industrial Revolution”

You don’t need to write down the entire history of the Industrial Revolution.

You just have to explain the requested causes.

Precision is often more effective than quantity.

8. Check spelling and writing

In many subjects, spelling errors can deduct points.

Also, confusing wording makes it difficult for the proofreader to understand your ideas.

Before delivering:

✔ Check accents.

✔ Check punctuation marks.

✔ Corrects repeated words.

✔ Make sure the phrases make sense.

A well-written exam always conveys a better impression.

9. Don’t block yourself if you find a difficult question

It’s normal to come across an unexpected question.

When it occurs:

1. Stay calm.
2. He moves on to another question.
3. Check back later.

Many times, while answering other questions, you remember useful information that will help you solve the one that seemed impossible.

The important thing is not to waste too much time on a single exercise.

10. Review the exam before handing it in

Proofreaders say that many errors could be avoided with a simple final review.

During those last few minutes, you can detect:

• Unanswered questions.
• Poorly copied operations.
• Incorrect dates.
• Spelling errors.
• Forgotten data.

It’s one of the easiest ways to earn points.

Never turn in an exam without reviewing it.

The most common mistakes to avoid

According to the PAU’s correctors, these are some of the most common failures:

❌ Not reading the statement well.

❌ Leave questions blank.

❌ Mismanaging time.

❌ Writing too much without answering what is asked.

❌ Neglecting spelling.

❌ Present disorderly answers.

❌ Not reviewing the exam.

Avoiding these mistakes can significantly improve your final grade.

One last piece of advice

The PAU not only assesses what you know, but also how you use that knowledge.

Therefore, in addition to studying the contents, it is essential to learn how to face the exam strategically.

Read carefully, organize your time, respond clearly, and review before you deliver.

It may seem simple, but proofreaders repeat it year after year: many students lose more points for avoidable mistakes than for lack of knowledge.

And remember good preparation is not only about studying more, but about learning to prove what you know when it comes time for the exam.

Lots of encouragement and good luck in your PAU. Your effort today can open the doors to the university you want tomorrow.