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Key Facts: Madrid PAU General Sciences Exam

90 min

Official exam duration for Madrid PAU General Sciences

Comisión Organizadora de la PAU de Madrid (UCM)

0–10

Grading scale (minimum 4.0 in Access Phase to combine with GPA)

BOCM / Universidad Complutense de Madrid

EUR 93.02

Base registration fee for mandatory PAU Access Phase in Madrid

Comunidad de Madrid

5 Core Blocks

Curriculum units evaluated in 2º Bachillerato Ciencias Generales

LOMLOE 2º Bachillerato Curriculum

100

Practice questions provided in this OpenExamPrep evaluation bank

OpenExamPrep

Madrid PAU General Sciences (UCM 2026) is a 90-minute university entrance exam assessing 2º Bachillerato Ciencias Generales across 5 core subject areas.

Sample Madrid PAU General Sciences Practice Questions

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

1A neutral atom of the chlorine-35 isotope (atomic number Z = 17, mass number A = 35) contains which composition of subatomic particles?
A.17 protons, 18 neutrons, and 17 electrons
B.17 protons, 35 neutrons, and 17 electrons
C.18 protons, 17 neutrons, and 18 electrons
D.35 protons, 17 neutrons, and 35 electrons
Explanation: The atomic number Z = 17 defines the number of protons in the nucleus, which equals 17. In a neutral atom, the number of electrons equals the number of protons (17). The number of neutrons is calculated as the mass number minus the atomic number: A - Z = 35 - 17 = 18 neutrons.
2Which statement correctly describes the general periodic trend of electronegativity across the periodic table?
A.Electronegativity decreases from left to right across a period and increases down a group.
B.Electronegativity increases from left to right across a period and decreases down a group.
C.Electronegativity remains constant across a period and decreases down a group.
D.Electronegativity increases down a group and remains constant across a period.
Explanation: Electronegativity measures an atom's tendency to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond. It increases moving from left to right across a period due to increasing effective nuclear charge, and decreases moving down a group because inner electron shells shield the outer valence electrons.
3Which characteristic property is typical of metallic substances as explained by the electron sea model?
A.High brittleness and poor electrical conductivity in the solid state
B.Low boiling points and discrete molecular structures
C.High electrical and thermal conductivity due to delocalized valence electrons
D.Ability to form directional covalent bonds in a rigid lattice
Explanation: According to the metallic bonding model, positive metal cations are surrounded by a mobile 'sea' of delocalized valence electrons. These freely moving electrons allow metals to conduct heat and electricity efficiently in the solid state.
4What are the stoichiometric coefficients required to balance the complete combustion reaction of propane: C3H8 + x O2 -> y CO2 + z H2O?
A.x = 3, y = 3, z = 4
B.x = 4, y = 3, z = 4
C.x = 5, y = 4, z = 3
D.x = 5, y = 3, z = 4
Explanation: Balancing C3H8 + 5 O2 -> 3 CO2 + 4 H2O: 3 carbons yield 3 CO2, 8 hydrogens yield 4 H2O. The right side contains 3*2 + 4*1 = 10 oxygen atoms, requiring 5 O2 molecules. Thus x = 5, y = 3, z = 4.
5Which phase change process describes the direct transition of a substance from the solid state into the gaseous state without passing through a liquid phase?
A.Sublimation
B.Deposition
C.Vaporization
D.Condensation
Explanation: Sublimation is the endothermic phase change in which a solid transforms directly into a gas without entering the liquid state (e.g., solid carbon dioxide or iodine). Deposition is the reverse process.
6What is the pH of a 0.01 M aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl), assuming complete dissociation?
A.1.0
B.2.0
C.3.0
D.12.0
Explanation: Hydrochloric acid is a strong acid that completely dissociates: [H+] = 0.01 M = 10^-2 M. Calculating pH = -log10[H+] gives -log10(10^-2) = 2.0.
7In a liquid solution, how is a 'saturated solution' defined at a given temperature and pressure?
A.A solution that contains less solute than the maximum dissolved amount possible at equilibrium
B.A solution in which no solvent remains in the liquid state
C.A solution containing the maximum concentration of dissolved solute in equilibrium with undissolved solute
D.A solution prepared by mixing equal volumes of two completely immiscible liquids
Explanation: A saturated solution contains the maximum possible concentration of dissolved solute at a specified temperature and pressure, establishing a dynamic equilibrium between dissolved and undissolved solute particles.
8What is the oxidation state of sulfur (S) in sulfuric acid, H2SO4?
A.+2
B.+4
C.-2
D.+6
Explanation: In H2SO4, hydrogen has an oxidation number of +1 (total +2) and oxygen has -2 (total -8). For the neutral compound to have a net charge of 0: (+2) + S + (-8) = 0, which yields S = +6.
9Using the ideal gas law (PV = nRT), calculate the volume occupied by 0.50 moles of nitrogen gas (N2) at a pressure of 1.0 atm and a temperature of 300 K. (R = 0.0821 L*atm/(mol*K)).
A.12.3 L
B.24.6 L
C.6.15 L
D.11.2 L
Explanation: Applying PV = nRT: V = (n * R * T) / P = (0.50 mol * 0.0821 L*atm/(mol*K) * 300 K) / 1.0 atm = 12.315 L, which rounds to 12.3 L.
10What mass of sodium chloride (NaCl, molar mass = 58.5 g/mol) is required to prepare 250 mL of a 0.50 M aqueous solution?
A.14.6 g
B.7.31 g
C.29.3 g
D.3.65 g
Explanation: Moles of NaCl needed = Molarity * Volume in liters = 0.50 mol/L * 0.250 L = 0.125 moles. Mass = moles * molar mass = 0.125 mol * 58.5 g/mol = 7.3125 g, which rounds to 7.31 g.

About the Madrid PAU General Sciences Exam

Comprehensive question bank for Madrid PAU General Sciences (Ciencias Generales - 2º Bachillerato). These local practice questions are an English-language MCQ study adaptation for 2nd Bachillerato curriculum preparing students for the Madrid university entrance examination. Includes 100 multiple-choice questions covering Matter & Chemical Systems, Energy & Physical Phenomena, Life Sciences & Biosphere, Earth Systems & Environment, and Science, Technology & Society.

Exam sponsor: PAU Organising Commission of the Community of Madrid / Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Written 90-minute standardized exam. Local practice items are an English-language MCQ study adaptation of the official open/semi-constructed Madrid PAU paper, not an official translation or format simulation.

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 93.02 base registration fee for compulsory Access Phase in Community of Madrid (or ~11.63 € per optional subject in voluntary phase).

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.

25%

Matter & Chemical Systems

Atomic structure, periodic trends, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, gas laws, chemical reactions, solutions and molar concentration, acid-base equilibrium, redox processes, and organic chemistry functional groups.

25%

Energy & Physical Phenomena

Kinematics and dynamics (Newton's laws), work, mechanical energy conservation, thermal energy and heat transfer, wave phenomena (sound and light), electric circuits, magnetic fields, and energy transformations.

20%

Life Sciences & Biosphere

Cellular biology and organelle functions, biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids), DNA replication, protein synthesis, genetics and inheritance, cell cycle (mitosis/meiosis), metabolism, and biodiversity.

15%

Earth Systems & Environment

Internal and external geological processes, plate tectonics, biogeochemical cycles (carbon, nitrogen, water), climate system, ecosystems, atmospheric dynamics, natural resources, and environmental impacts (climate change, pollution).

15%

Science, Technology & Society

Scientific methodology, data analysis and graph interpretation, technological applications (biotechnology, renewable energy, materials science), ethics in scientific research, public health, and sustainability.

Preparing for the Madrid PAU General Sciences 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. Local practice items are an English-language MCQ study adaptation of the official open/semi-constructed Madrid PAU paper, not an official translation or format simulation.
  • Time limit: 90 minutes (1.5 hours)
  • Exam / certification fees: EUR 93.02 base registration fee for compulsory Access Phase in Community of Madrid (or ~11.63 € per optional subject in voluntary phase). 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

Madrid PAU General Sciences: Suggested Study Strategy

1Memorize key physical constants and formulas: g = 9.8 m/s², R = 0.0821 L·atm/(mol·K), c = 3×10⁸ m/s, Ohm's law (V = IR), and power (P = IV).
2Work through quantitative chemistry problems involving molarity (M = n/V), gas laws, and balancing chemical reactions.
3Practice Punnett squares and probability calculations for autosomal dominant, recessive, and X-linked genetic inheritance patterns.
4Review Earth's climate controls, greenhouse gas warming potentials (CO₂, CH₄, N₂O), and oceanic thermohaline circulation mechanisms.
5Analyze graphical data sets, such as decay curves, enzyme kinetics graphs, velocity-time plots, and population growth curves.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Madrid PAU General Sciences (Ciencias Generales)?

Ciencias Generales is a core subject in the General Modalidad of 2º Bachillerato under LOMLOE, introduced to provide integrated interdisciplinary scientific preparation combining Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Geology, and Environmental/Societal Sciences.

What is the format of the official PAU General Sciences exam in Madrid?

The official exam is a 90-minute standardized written test organized by Madrid public universities (UCM, UAM, UPM, UC3M, URJC, UAH). It consists of open, semi-structured, and problem-solving questions requiring chemical calculations, graph analysis, and biological synthesis.

How is the final university admission mark (Nota de Admisión) calculated in Madrid?

The base admission mark is calculated as 60% Bachillerato GPA + 40% PAU Access Phase score (must be at least 4.0). Taking Ciencias Generales in the Voluntary Phase or as a Modalidad subject can add up to 2 additional points depending on university degree weighting coefficients (0.1 or 0.2).

Are these 100 questions an official exam paper?

No. These 100 multiple-choice practice questions are an English-language study adaptation designed by OpenExamPrep to test all key concepts of the official LOMLOE 2º Bachillerato Ciencias Generales syllabus for Madrid PAU preparation.

Does the question bank include numerical calculation problems?

Yes. Numerous questions feature genuine worked calculations across stoichiometry, ideal gas volume, kinetic and potential energy, electric circuit resistance and current, radioactive decay half-life, and genetic ratio calculations.