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Exam Review

Key Facts: Galicia PAU Geography Exam

90 Minutes

Examination time limit

CIUG PAU Commission

EUR 63.67

Ordinary PAU registration fee

CIUG 2026 Regulations

0–10 Scale

Official grading scale (minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase)

CIUG / Spanish Education Ministry

5 Core Blocks

Physical relief, Climate/Hydrography, Demography/Settlement, Economic Sectors, and Regional Organization

CIUG 2º Bachillerato Syllabus

100 Questions

Practice question bank total

OpenExamPrep

Galicia PAU Geography (CIUG 2026) is a 90-minute university entrance exam assessing 2º Bachillerato Geography across physical, environmental, human, economic, and regional Galician domains.

Sample Galicia PAU Geography Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Galicia PAU Geography exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which tectonic process primarily shaped the Macizo Galaico during the Cenozoic era into its current block-faulted relief?
A.Re-fracturing of the Hercynian basement during Alpine orogeny
B.Fold-thrust mountain building of Mesozoic marine sediments
C.Widespread volcanic rifting and basaltic plateau formation
D.Quaternary glacio-isostatic uplift of coastal plains
Explanation: The Macizo Galaico consists of a Paleozoic Hercynian (Variscan) crystalline basement. During the Cenozoic Alpine orogeny, rigid granitic and metamorphic rocks broke into horsts (raised blocks) and grabens (depressions) rather than folding.
2What is the highest mountain peak in Galicia, located near the border between Ourense and Zamora?
A.Pena Trevinca (2,127 m)
B.Puig Major (1,445 m)
C.Torre de Cerredo (2,648 m)
D.Cabeza de Manzaneda (1,781 m)
Explanation: Pena Trevinca reaches 2,127 meters in the Macizo Ourensano / Montes de León, making it the highest elevation in the Autonomous Community of Galicia.
3Which characteristic weathering landform is created in granitic areas of Galicia when chemical hydrolysis along orthogonal joints breaks bedrock into rounded boulders?
A.Berrocal (chaos of boulders and tors)
B.Karstic doline (sinkhole)
C.Badlands rills and ravines
D.Lapiez (karren micro-grooves)
Explanation: Hydrolysis of orthoclase feldspar in granitic bedrock creates saprolite along joint lines. Subsequent erosion washes away fine sediment, leaving a chaos of rounded tors and boulders known as a berrocal (or penedo/piornedo in Galician).
4How were the Galician rías geomorphologically formed?
A.Post-glacial marine submergence of pre-existing tectonic and river valleys
B.Tectonic collapse of volcanic calderas flooded by ocean water
C.Glacial fjord carving by deep Pleistocene valley glaciers reaching the ocean
D.Coral reef accumulation enclosing coastal lagoons behind barrier islands
Explanation: Galician rías are flooded river valleys resulting from the post-glacial Flandrian eustatic sea-level rise (transgresión marina) entering pre-existing fault valleys carved into the Hercynian basement.
5Which geomorphological contrast distinguishes the Rías Baixas from the Rías Altas?
A.Rías Baixas are wider, more funnel-shaped, and deeply indented, whereas Rías Altas have steeper cliffs and narrower inlets
B.Rías Baixas are U-shaped glacial fjords, while Rías Altas are coral-lined lagoons
C.Rías Baixas drain directly into the Cantabrian Sea, while Rías Altas face the Mediterranean
D.Rías Baixas formed in limestone karst, while Rías Altas formed in volcanic basalt
Explanation: The Rías Baixas (e.g., Vigo, Pontevedra, Arousa) feature wide, sheltered, funnel-shaped estuaries with low-gradient coastal margins, while the Rías Altas (e.g., Ortigueira, Viveiro) face open Atlantic/Cantabrian waters with steeper coastal topography and narrower inlets.
6How does the Macizo Galaico relate structurally to the Meseta Central of the Iberian Peninsula?
A.It forms the northwestern submerged and uplifted margin of the Hercynian basement
B.It is an alpine mountain chain formed by collision between Spain and North Africa
C.It is a recent Cenozoic sedimentary basin filled with clay and gypsum
D.It is an isolated volcanic archipelago accreted to mainland Spain
Explanation: The Macizo Galaico is structurally continuous with the Hercynian (Variscan) basement of the Iberian Meseta, representing its elevated and block-faulted northwestern corner.
7Which coastal landform is created when a sand spit connects an offshore granitic island to the mainland, as seen at A Lanzada in Pontevedra?
A.Tómbolo
B.Albufera
C.Ría
D.Estuary delta
Explanation: A tómbolo is a coastal depositional landform where a wave-built sand spit or bar bridges the gap between the mainland and a rocky island (e.g., connecting O Grove to the mainland at A Lanzada).
8What type of geological deposit characterizes the interior tectonic depressions of Galicia, such as As Pontes de García Rodríguez and Monforte de Lemos?
A.Cenozoic lacustrine sediments containing lignite coal and clay
B.Mesozoic thick limestone reefs with cavernous karst caves
C.Paleozoic high-grade metamorphic marble and diamond pipes
D.Quaternary basaltic lava flows and volcanic ash
Explanation: The interior grabens (depressions) of Galicia accumulated Cenozoic lacustrine and fluvial sediments, including significant brown coal (lignite) deposits exploited historically at As Pontes and Meirama.
9Which process generated the stepped fluvial terraces along the lower course of the Miño River?
A.Quaternary climatic oscillations alternating between glacial aggradation and interglacial incision
B.Tectonic volcanic eruptions blocking the river channel annually
C.Chemical dissolution of granite bedrock by acidic rainwater
D.Tidal storm surges depositing coral debris along riverbanks
Explanation: Quaternary climatic cycles caused sea-level and discharge variations, driving alternating periods of sediment accumulation (aggradation) and channel downcutting (incision) that produced flat fluvial terraces along the Miño.
10The coastal cliffs of Serra da Capelada (Vixía Herbeira, over 600 meters high) are exceptional in Europe due to their height and geological composition of:
A.Ultrabasic and oceanic crust rocks such as eclogites and serpentinites
B.Soft Triassic red sandstone and gypsum strata
C.Jurassic coral limestone and chalk cliffs
D.Recent quaternary volcanic tuff and pumice
Explanation: Serra da Capelada features some of continental Europe's highest sea cliffs (>600 m) at Vixía Herbeira, composed of rare mantle/oceanic crust rocks (eclogites, granulites, serpentinites) uplifted during Paleozoic plate collisions.

About the Galicia PAU Geography Exam

The Galicia PAU Geography examination (Probas d'Acceso á Universidade, CIUG 2026) evaluates 2º Bachillerato students on physical geomorphology, Oceanic climate, hydrography of Galician rivers, demographic transition and aging, rural settlement and urban systems (Eixo Atlántico), primary and secondary economic sectors (minifundismo, bateas mussel farming, automotive, forestry), and Galician territorial organization within Spain and the EU. This practice bank features 100 comprehensive questions with in-depth explanations for all options.

Exam sponsor: Comisión Interuniversitaria de Galicia (CIUG). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Written 90-minute standardized exam evaluating Physical Geography, Climate & Hydrography, Demographics & Settlement, Economic Sectors, and Territorial Organization of Spain & Galicia. Local practice items are an English-language MCQ study adaptation of the official open/semi-constructed CIUG PAU paper, preserving exact local toponyms (e.g., Macizo Galaico, Rías Baixas, Miño-Sil basin, Eixo Atlántico).

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 63.67 ordinary registration fee for PAU (50% discount EUR 31.84 for general large family status; 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%

Physical Geography & Relief of Spain and Galicia

Geomorphology, Iberian relief units, Macizo Galaico structure, granitic weathering landforms, coastal geomorphology, and Rías Baixas and Altas formation.

20%

Climate, Hydrography & Natural Vegetation

Oceanic climate characteristics, rainfall regimes, Atlantic river basins (Miño, Sil, Ulla, Eume), Eurosiberian biogeography, carballeiras, and acid soils.

20%

Demography, Population & Settlement Patterns

Demographic aging, negative growth, historical emigration, rural settlement dispersion (poboamento disperso), and the Eixo Atlántico urban corridor.

20%

Economic Sectors & Rural/Marine Development

Agrarian minifundismo, dairy farming, timber forestry, marine aquaculture (bateas), fishing fleet of Vigo, automotive industry, and Camino de Santiago tourism.

20%

Territorial Organization, Regional Policy & Environment

Galician Statute of Autonomy, provincial and comarcal administrative structures, Galicia-Norte de Portugal Euroregion, EU Cohesion policy, and natural protected areas.

Preparing for the Galicia PAU Geography 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: Written 90-minute standardized exam evaluating Physical Geography, Climate & Hydrography, Demographics & Settlement, Economic Sectors, and Territorial Organization of Spain & Galicia. Local practice items are an English-language MCQ study adaptation of the official open/semi-constructed CIUG PAU paper, preserving exact local toponyms (e.g., Macizo Galaico, Rías Baixas, Miño-Sil basin, Eixo Atlántico).
  • Time limit: 90 minutes (1.5 hours)
  • Exam / certification fees: EUR 63.67 ordinary registration fee for PAU (50% discount EUR 31.84 for general large family status; 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

Galicia PAU Geography: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master topographic map reading, climographs (temperature and rainfall graphs), and population pyramids specific to Galician and Iberian geography.
2Understand the Hercynian (Variscan) basement structure of the Macizo Galaico and how Tertiary Alpine tectonic movements created its block faulting (tectónica de bloques).
3Review the distinct characteristics of Rías Baixas versus Rías Altas and the marine upwelling mechanism (embalse de agua profunda / purga de nitrógeno) supporting rich aquaculture.
4Analyze the demographic challenges of Galicia, including extreme population aging, rural interior depopulation (Lugo and Ourense), and coastal urbanization along the Eixo Atlántico.
5Study the economic transformations of Galicia, such as dairy farm restructuring, timber monoculture, automotive manufacturing in Vigo, and Jacobean pilgrimage tourism.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are these official CIUG Galicia PAU Geography questions?

These practice items are an English-language multiple-choice adaptation designed for comprehensive study of the official 2º Bachillerato LOMLOE Xeografía syllabus defined by CIUG.

What format does the official CIUG PAU Geography exam take?

The official exam is a 90-minute paper containing map commentaries, graphic interpretations (climographs, pyramids), term definitions, and structured geographic synthesis topics.

Which official languages are permitted for the exam in Galicia?

Students in Galicia can write the PAU examination in either Galician (galego) or Castilian Spanish (castellano).

Does the exam cover both general Spanish geography and specific Galician topics?

Yes, the 2º Bachillerato curriculum integrates general Iberian physical and socio-economic geography with specific regional Galician case studies and data.