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CBC
Ciclo Básico Común
📝 University Entrance / Foundation Year Hybrid (In-person and Virtual via UBA XXI) ⏱ Valid: Indefinite Since 1985 ⚡ High
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
📝 Register Now 🌐 Official Site
›
Score Range
1 to 10
Exam Fee
Duration
1 to 2 years
Questions
Varies
Score Valid
Indefinite
Frequency
Bi-annual
Accepted By
1
Pass Rate
45%
Difficulty
High
📝 Register for CBC 🌐 Official Website ✍️ Need application help? →
Quick Summary

CBC (Ciclo Básico Común) is a university entrance / foundation year conducted by Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA). Scores range from 1 to 10, valid for Indefinite, with a total duration of 1 to 2 years. Accepted by 1, with high difficulty level.

📋 Exam Overview
🎯
Score Range
1 to 10
⏱
Duration
1 to 2 years
💳
Fee
📅
Valid For
Indefinite
🖥
Mode
Hybrid (In-person and Virtual via UBA XXI)
🌍
Accepted By
1
🗓
Frequency
Bi-annual
🏛
Conducted By
Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)
❓
Total Qs
Varies
📑
Sections
Introducción al Pensamiento Científico (IPC), Introducción al Conocimiento de la Sociedad y el Estado (ICSE), Four subject-specific courses
⚡
Difficulty
High
📊
Pass Rate
45%
El primer paso de tu carrera en la UBA
👤 Who Should Take This Exam?
This cycle is mandatory for any student intending to pursue an undergraduate degree at the University of Buenos Aires. It serves as a foundational bridge between secondary school and specialized university studies.
🎓 Education Level
Undergraduate
🌍 Accepted In
Argentina
📝 Exam Structure & Format
Question Types
Multiple choice, open-ended development questions, and argumentative essays.
Language / Medium
Spanish
Total Duration
1 to 2 years
Retake Policy
Students can retake courses if they fail or do not reach the promotion threshold. Final exams can be taken up to three times per subject registration.
Total Questions
Varies
Sections
Introducción al Pensamiento Científico (IPC), Introducción al Conocimiento de la Sociedad y el Estado (ICSE), Four subject-specific courses
⚙️ More format details (timing, marking, equipment)See all ▾
Time Per Section
120 minutes
Negative Marking
No
Calculator Allowed
Yes
Scratch Paper
Yes
Breaks Allowed
No
Home Edition
Yes
Digital vs Paper
CBC is primarily paper-based for in-person students, while UBA XXI uses a digital campus for coursework but requires in-person paper exams.
📑 Section Details
IPC focuses on epistemology and scientific logic. ICSE covers Argentine history and political science. The remaining four subjects are tailored to the student's specific career choice, such as Mathematics, Biology, or Law.
🎯 Scoring System
Score Range
1 to 10
Good / Passing Score
4
How Scoring Works
Grades range from 1 to 10. A grade of 7 or higher in both partial exams allows 'promotion' (skipping the final); a grade between 4 and 6 requires a final exam.
🏆 Minimum Scores for Top Universities
4 is the minimum passing score for any subject.
📊 Section / sub-scoresSee all ▾
Writing
Integrated into Humanities subjects.
Speaking
Not specified
Listening
Not specified
Reading
Evaluated through textual analysis in ICSE and IPC.
Grammar
Integrated into general grading rubrics.
Vocabulary
Evaluated through subject-specific terminology usage.
Analytical
Core component of the IPC subject.
Quantitative
Core component of Math and Algebra subjects.
Verbal
Evaluated in Semiology and Social Science subjects.
Subject
Each subject is graded on a 1-10 scale.
All Sub-Scores
Individual grades for each of the six required subjects.
📈 Avg First Attempt
5.5
🔼 Score Improvement
25%
💳 Registration & Fees
Fee (USD)
Fee (INR)
Other
Free of charge for all students
📝 Register Now →
📋 Policies (rescheduling, cancellation, verification, waivers)See all ▾
⏰ Register in Advance
2 months
🔄 Rescheduling Policy
Students can choose between different exam dates (llamados) within a specific finals window to better manage their schedule.
❌ Cancellation Policy
Students may drop a course without penalty before the first partial exam is taken.
🔍 Score Verification
Yes
📋 Score Audit
Yes
↩ Reinstatement Policy
Students can re-enroll in the CBC if they lose their regular status due to inactivity.
🎁 Fee Waiver Criteria
Students with previous university credits from other institutions can apply for 'equivalencias' to skip certain CBC subjects.
📅 Exam Dates & Schedule
📆 Available Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
🔁 Frequency
Bi-annual
📊 Results Declared
1 to 2 weeks
🔄 Retake Policy
Students can retake courses if they fail or do not reach the promotion threshold. Final exams can be taken up to three times per subject registration.
⏰ Register By
2 months
✅ Eligibility & Access
🎂 Age Limit
17
🎓 Education Required
High school diploma or being in the final year of secondary education.
🛂 Citizenship
None
📍 Test Centers
25
More on accommodations, ID, and special versionsSee all ▾
🪪 ID Required
Yes
♿ Accessibility
The UBA provides specialized support through its Disability Program, including adapted materials and extended exam times for students who qualify.
🔀 Special Versions
UBA XXI is the fully distance-learning version of the CBC.
📐 Subject Variants
Depends on the career path (e.g., Engineering, Health Sciences, Social Sciences).
🤝 Disability Accommodations
Provided via the Programa de Discapacidad de la UBA.
🗓 Exam Day Guide
✅ What to Bring
Official ID (DNI or Passport), proof of registration, pens, and a scientific calculator if relevant to the subject.
🚫 Prohibited Items
Mobile phones, smartwatches, textbooks, and any electronic communication devices.
📋 Exam Day Rules
Students must present a valid ID, use blue or black ink, and arrive at least 15 minutes before the exam starts.
After the exam: score reporting and deliverySee all ▾
⏱ Score Reporting
10 days
📤 Score Sending
Automatic integration with the SIU-Guaraní university management system.
🎓 Score Recipients
University of Buenos Aires Academic Departments.
📚 Preparation Guide
📅 Recommended Prep Time
12 months
🗓 Avg Prep Months
12 months
Preparation involves attending mandatory lectures and practical sessions while studying university-provided bibliographies. Most students utilize previous exam papers and faculty-specific study guides.
💡 Top Tips & Tricks
Organize your study schedule by 'cátedra' (chair) and stay current with the mandatory readings. Practicing with past exams from the Altillo website is a common and effective strategy.
Full study plan, resources, and common mistakesSee all ▾
📅 Study Plan
Divide the semester into weekly reading goals and attend all tutoring sessions. Dedicate at least 15 hours per week per subject to ensure deep comprehension of the scientific and social concepts.
📖 Recommended Books
Herramientas para el análisis de la Sociedad y el Estado, Introducción al Pensamiento Científico: Guía de Estudio.
🏫 Popular Prep Courses
Filadd, Asimov, and various community-led tutoring programs.
📱 Popular Prep Apps
UBA XXI App, YouTube.
✅ Official Practice Tests
Available on the UBA XXI Virtual Campus and official Cátedra blogs.
🆓 Free Online Resources
UBA XXI YouTube Channel, Altillo.com, university library archives, and faculty-led tutoring sessions.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Underestimating the workload compared to high school and failing to keep up with the weekly bibliography. Many students also struggle by not checking the specific requirements of their 'cátedra'.
💡 EduAtlasHub Exclusive Insights
🔍 Insider Tips
Look for the 'Cátedra' name immediately after enrolling, as each one has different focus areas and exam styles. Use the 'UBA XXI' virtual platform to complement your in-person learning materials.
⭐ Unique Features
It functions as a leveling year to ensure all students from diverse backgrounds have the same foundational knowledge before starting their degree.
🎓 How This Score Impacts Your Application
Successfully passing all CBC subjects is the sole requirement to enter the professional cycle of any UBA degree.
More insights: country notes, comparisons, myths, examiner tipsSee all ▾
🌍 Country-Specific Notes
The CBC is tuition-free for both Argentine citizens and international students, though foreigners must provide validated high school transcripts and proof of Spanish proficiency.
⚖️ Comparison with Alternatives
Unlike the US SAT, it is a curriculum-based cycle rather than a standardized test. Unlike the Brazilian Vestibular, it is non-competitive and open to everyone.
🆕 Recent Changes
Increased integration of digital enrollment via the TAD platform and expanded availability of virtual subjects via UBA XXI.
🔜 Upcoming Changes
Plans to implement more hybrid learning options and modernize the digital registration for international students.
🧐 Myths vs Facts
Myth: The CBC is designed to kick students out. Fact: The CBC is designed to ensure students have the necessary skills to succeed in rigorous university programs.
👨‍🏫 Examiner Tips
Do not just memorize facts; focus on the relationships between different historical and scientific concepts as required by the chair.
🏆 Success Stories
The CBC has been the starting point for thousands of successful professionals, including several Nobel Prize winners affiliated with the UBA.
📋 Post-Exam Steps
After passing all six subjects, students must complete their 'empadronamiento' to enter their specific Faculty.
🎯 Score Uses Beyond Admission
Grades are used for internal university scholarships and international exchange program applications.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the CBC score valid?+
The CBC score is valid for Indefinite.
How much does the CBC cost?+
Please check the official website for current fee information.
How often can I retake the CBC?+
Students can retake courses if they fail or do not reach the promotion threshold. Final exams can be taken up to three times per subject registration.
When are CBC results declared?+
1 to 2 weeks
Which universities accept the CBC?+
CBC is accepted by 1.
Is a calculator allowed in the CBC?+
Yes
How should I prepare for the CBC?+
Preparation involves attending mandatory lectures and practical sessions while studying university-provided bibliographies. Most students utilize previous exam papers and faculty-specific study guides.
📝
Register for CBC
El primer paso de tu carrera en la UBA
Register Now →
📊 Quick Facts
Official Site →
Conducted ByUniversidad de Buenos Aires (UBA)
Year Started1985
CategoryUniversity Entrance / Foundation Year
Last UpdatedJune 18, 2026
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