I just got my results, and a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders! While preparing for the Spanish university entrance exam, I scoured the internet for information, but everything seemed so scattered and confusing, and I definitely took the long way around. Now that I’ve successfully gotten in, I’ve decided to organize my personal experience to serve as a guide for future students applying to university. I hope it can help clear things up for you.
What Exactly is the Spanish University Entrance Exam?
Simply put, it’s the university entrance exam in Spain. However, it’s quite different from a single, nationwide exam. First, it’s not standardized nationally; each autonomous community organizes its own. The exam is divided into two parts: the General Phase and the Specific Phase. The General Phase is mandatory and covers core subjects. The Specific Phase is optional, where you can choose up to two subjects most relevant to your desired university degree. The scores from these subjects are used to ‘boost’ your total score, and they are crucial!
How Are the Scores Calculated?
This is often the most confusing part, but once you get it, everything becomes clear. Your final university admission score is out of 14 points, not 10. The formula is a bit complex, so I’ll use a table to make it clearer:
| Component | Source | Maximum Score |
|---|
| High School Average Grade | Your average grade from two years of Spanish High School (Bachillerato) | Out of 10, accounts for 60% of the access grade |
| General Phase Exam | Average score of mandatory subjects | Out of 10, accounts for 40% of the access grade |
| Access Grade (CAU) | (High School Avg * 0.6) + (General Phase Avg * 0.4) | Max 10 points |
| Optional Subjects | M1 * 0.1/0.2 + M2 * 0.1/0.2 | Max 4 points |
| Final Admission Score | CAU + Optional Subject Scores | Max 14 points |
So, when it comes to getting into a Spanish university, do you see how it works? If you want to study a competitive degree, you must rely on those 4 points from the Specific Phase to get ahead! Don’t underestimate the Specific Phase exams
! These 4 points are crucial!
Once you have your score, the next step is the application process, known as Preinscripción. This isn’t centralized nationwide either; most autonomous communities have their own application systems. You’ll need to check the previous years’ cut-off grades (notas de corte)
for the universities and degrees you’re interested in, based on your score and interests. Here’s a hard-learned lesson: always create a tiered list of choices, and fill up as many slots as you can
! Don’t just list one or two of your dream schools. If the cut-off grades unexpectedly skyrocket, you could be left without a spot, and it will be too late. Do your research and include safe, ambitious, and realistic options.
The path to higher education in Spain is quite flexible, giving students many opportunities. Although the preparation process can be demanding, the moment you receive that acceptance letter from your desired university, you’ll feel that all the effort was worth it. I hope my experience can help you all. If you have any questions about choosing subjects, preparing for the exams, or the application process, feel free to leave a comment below so we can discuss them together! I wish you all the best in getting into your dream universities!
