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Key Facts: Extremadura PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences Exam Exam

Organized by UEx and Consejería de Educación de la Junta de Extremadura.

90-minute written exam with geological profile analysis and environmental case studies.

EUR 78.26 ordinary registration fee with family discount options.

Minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase to combine with Batxillerat GPA (60/40 weighted average).

100 multiple-choice questions serve as an English-language study adaptation for 2026 PAU prep.

Extremadura PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences exam evaluates Earth internal/external dynamics, mineral/water resources, ecosystems, and environmental management for university admission.

Sample Extremadura PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences Exam Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Extremadura PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences Exam exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which layer of the Earth interior is composed of upper mantle rock that behaves ductily over geological timescales, allowing lithospheric plates to move above it?
A.Asthenosphere
B.Inner core
C.Oceanic crust
D.Mesosphere
Explanation: The asthenosphere is the ductile region of the upper mantle located beneath the rigid lithosphere. High temperatures and pressures cause its rock to deform plastically, facilitating plate motion.
2At which type of tectonic plate boundary is new oceanic crust continuously created by upwelling mantle magmatism?
A.Transform boundary
B.Divergent boundary
C.Ocean-continent convergent boundary
D.Continent-continent collision boundary
Explanation: At divergent plate boundaries, such as mid-ocean ridges, tectonic plates pull apart. Decompression melting of the mantle generates basaltic magma that rises to form new oceanic crust.
3Why are shear seismic waves (S-waves) unable to travel through the Earth liquid outer core?
A.S-waves lack kinetic energy to penetrate deep rock layers
B.S-waves propagate via volume compression, which liquids absorb
C.S-waves require shear rigidity to propagate, which liquids cannot support
D.S-waves travel faster in liquids than P-waves, causing refraction
Explanation: S-waves are transverse waves that deform material through shear stress. Liquids have no shear strength (rigidity modulus = 0), so S-waves cannot propagate through the liquid outer core.
4Which fault type occurs when tensional stress causes the hanging wall block to move downward relative to the footwall block?
A.Normal fault
B.Reverse fault
C.Strike-slip fault
D.Thrust fault
Explanation: A normal fault is produced by extensional (tensional) tectonic stresses. Gravity pulls the hanging wall down relative to the footwall along an inclined fault plane.
5Which fossil evidence was cited by Alfred Wegener to support his hypothesis of Continental Drift?
A.Trilobite fossils found in deep ocean abyssal plains
B.Ammonite shells discovered in high-altitude Alpine limestones
C.Mammoth remains preserved in Siberian permafrost
D.Identical Mesosaurus and Glossopteris fossils on now-separated continents
Explanation: Wegener noted that identical fossils of the freshwater reptile Mesosaurus and the seed fern Glossopteris were found across South America, Africa, Antarctica, and India, proving these landmasses were once joined as Gondwana.
6What is the primary physical factor driving contact (thermal) metamorphism around an intruding igneous batholith?
A.High differential directed stress
B.Elevated temperature from magma heat transfer
C.Hydrothermal fluid percolation from meteoric water
D.Extreme lithostatic confining pressure
Explanation: Contact metamorphism occurs when country rocks are baked by heat conducted from a nearby magma intrusion, producing non-foliated metamorphic rocks like hornfels in an aureole.
7Which mechanical weathering process involves repeated freezing and thawing of water inside rock fractures, forcing rocks to split apart?
A.Gelifraction (frost wedging)
B.Haloclasty (salt weathering)
C.Carbonation
D.Oxidation
Explanation: Gelifraction (or frost wedging) occurs when water enters rock fissures and expands by roughly 9% upon freezing, exerting immense pressure that shatters the surrounding rock mass.
8How do rivers transport dissolved mineral ions derived from chemical weathering?
A.Bedload sliding
B.Suspended load flotation
C.Dissolved load in solution
D.Saltation bouncing
Explanation: Chemical weathering dissolves ions (such as calcium, bicarbonate, and sodium) into water, which rivers transport downstream invisible in true chemical solution as dissolved load.
9Which characteristic landscape feature forms on the surface when subterranean karst cavern roofs collapse?
A.Drumlin
B.Doline (sinkhole)
C.Esker
D.Yardang
Explanation: Dolines (or sinkholes) are circular closed depressions formed in karst terrains either by solution of surface bedrock or collapse of underground cave chambers in limestone.
10In arid and desert environments, what process causes rocks to flake off in thin layers due to extreme daily surface temperature fluctuations?
A.Thermal expansion (exfoliation)
B.Hydrolysis
C.Biological root wedging
D.Dissolution
Explanation: Thermal expansion (or insolation weathering) causes outer rock layers to expand during intense daytime heating and contract at night, generating thermal stresses that lead to exfoliation flaking.

About the Extremadura PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences Exam Exam

The Extremadura PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences (Geología y Ciencias Ambientales) exam evaluates 2º de Bachillerato students under the LOMLOE curriculum on internal Earth dynamics, plate tectonics, external geomorphological processes, water and soil resources, ecosystems (including regional Dehesas and Monfragüe National Park), natural risk assessment, and environmental management tools like EIA.

Exam sponsor: Comisión Organizadora de la PAU de Extremadura (Universidad de Extremadura - UEx / Consejería de Educación de la Junta de Extremadura). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The official PAU Geología y Ciencias Ambientales examination in Extremadura is a 90-minute written test comprising geological profile interpretation, block diagram analysis, environmental impact assessment cases, and short open-ended essay questions. This 100-question multiple-choice practice bank serves as an English-language study adaptation to master curriculum concepts.

Time Limit

90 minutes (1.5 hours)

Passing Score

Marked on a 0–10 scale. Minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase to combine with Bachillerato GPA (60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU >= 5.0 to pass).

Exam / Certification Fees

EUR 78.26 ordinary registration fee for PAU (50% discount EUR 39.13 for general large family; full exemption for special large family, disability, or terrorism victims).

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

20%

Earth Dynamics & Tectonics

Plate tectonic boundaries, magmatism, metamorphism, structural geology (faults and folds), seismic wave propagation, mantle convection, and paleomagnetism.

20%

Geomorphology & External Processes

Weathering, erosion, fluvial and karst processes, coastal/arid landforms, mass wasting, and geological history of the Iberian Massif (Central Iberian and Ossa-Morena zones).

20%

Environmental Systems & Resources

Aquifer dynamics, soil degradation and desertification, mineral/energy resources, natural risk assessment (floods, landslides, earthquakes), and risk mitigation plans.

20%

Ecosystems & Biodiversity

Ecological succession, biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen), ecosystem structure, biodiversity conservation, Dehesa agro-silvopastoral systems, and Monfragüe National Park flora/fauna.

20%

Environmental Management & Sustainability

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA/EsIA), climate change mitigation, circular economy and waste management, environmental law, Natura 2000 network, and ZEPA protected areas.

Preparing for the Extremadura PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Marked on a 0–10 scale. Minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase to combine with Bachillerato GPA (60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU >= 5.0 to pass).
  • Assessment: The official PAU Geología y Ciencias Ambientales examination in Extremadura is a 90-minute written test comprising geological profile interpretation, block diagram analysis, environmental impact assessment cases, and short open-ended essay questions. This 100-question multiple-choice practice bank serves as an English-language study adaptation to master curriculum concepts.
  • Time limit: 90 minutes (1.5 hours)
  • Exam / certification fees: EUR 78.26 ordinary registration fee for PAU (50% discount EUR 39.13 for general large family; full exemption for special large family, disability, or terrorism victims). Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Extremadura PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences Exam: Suggested Study Strategy

1Practice interpreting geological cross-sections (perfiles geológicos) and identifying cross-cutting relationships, fault types, and unconformities.
2Understand the ecological balance of the Dehesa system (Quercus rotundifolia/suber, livestock grazing, soil conservation, and biodiversity).
3Learn the steps of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA/EsIA) and Environmental Impact Statement (DIA) under current Spanish legislation.
4Study hydrogeology terms: water table, porosity, permeability, confined vs unconfined aquifers, and overexploitation consequences.
5Review the Hercynian (Variscan) orogeny and its geological signatures in Extremadura, including appalachian-type relief and batholith intrusions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the PAU Geology and Environmental Sciences exam in Extremadura?

It is the standardized university entrance exam (PAU) for 2º de Bachillerato students in Extremadura, assessing knowledge of Earth sciences, geological processes, natural resources, and environmental management.

What is the structure and duration of the official exam?

The official exam is a 90-minute written examination comprising geological profile interpretation, block diagrams, case studies, and open-ended essay questions coordinated by UEx.

Who organizes the PAU in Extremadura and what is the fee?

The exam is organized by the Comisión Organizadora de la PAU de Extremadura (Universidad de Extremadura - UEx and Junta de Extremadura). The ordinary fee is EUR 78.26.

What score is required to pass?

A minimum mark of 4.0 out of 10 in the Access Phase is required to combine with the Bachillerato GPA (60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU, needing >= 5.0 overall).

How are regional topics represented in this exam bank?

The question bank includes dedicated items on Extremaduran geology (Hercynian granite plutons, Armorican quartzite relief), Dehesa ecosystems, Monfragüe National Park biodiversity, and Guadiana/Tagus basin management.