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EBAU / Selectividad
Evaluación del Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad
🎓 Undergraduate University Entrance Examination Paper-based ⏱ Valid: General phase: Permanent; Specific phase: 2 years Since 1974 ⚡ High
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
📝 Register Now 🌐 Official Site
›
Score Range
0 to 14 points
Exam Fee
$110
Duration
3 to 4 days
Questions
Varies by subject (typically 4 to 8 questions per paper)
Score Valid
General phase: Permanent; Specific phase: 2 years
Frequency
Twice per year
Accepted By
84
Pass Rate
92% to 96%
Difficulty
High
📝 Register for EBAU / Selectividad 🌐 Official Website ✍️ Need application help? →
Quick Summary

EBAU / Selectividad (Evaluación del Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad) is a undergraduate university entrance examination conducted by Regional Universities and the Ministry of Education of Spain. Scores range from 0 to 14 points, valid for General phase: Permanent; Specific phase: 2 years, with a total duration of 3 to 4 days. Accepted by 84, the exam fee is $110, with high difficulty level.

📋 Exam Overview
🎯
Score Range
0 to 14 points
⏱
Duration
3 to 4 days
💳
Fee
$110
📅
Valid For
General phase: Permanent; Specific phase: 2 years
🖥
Mode
Paper-based
🌍
Accepted By
84
🗓
Frequency
Twice per year
🏛
Conducted By
Regional Universities and the Ministry of Education of Spain
❓
Total Qs
Varies by subject (typically 4 to 8 questions per paper)
📑
Sections
Spanish Language and Literature, History of Spain or Philosophy, Foreign Language, Modality Core Subject, Specific Subjects
⚡
Difficulty
High
📊
Pass Rate
92% to 96%
The gateway to higher education and professional success in Spain.
👤 Who Should Take This Exam?
High school graduates (Bachillerato) or equivalent international students seeking admission to Spanish universities.
🎓 Education Level
National (Spain)
🌍 Accepted In
Spain and recognized within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA)
📝 Exam Structure & Format
Question Types
Text analysis, essay writing, short-answer questions, and problem-solving exercises.
Language / Medium
Spanish (or regional co-official languages like Catalan, Basque, or Galician)
Total Duration
3 to 4 days
Retake Policy
Students may retake the exam in the extraordinary session or subsequent years to improve scores.
Total Questions
Varies by subject (typically 4 to 8 questions per paper)
Sections
Spanish Language and Literature, History of Spain or Philosophy, Foreign Language, Modality Core Subject, Specific Subjects
⚙️ More format details (timing, marking, equipment)See all ▾
Time Per Section
90 Minutes per subject paper
Negative Marking
No
Calculator Allowed
Yes
Scratch Paper
Yes
Breaks Allowed
Yes
Home Edition
No
Digital vs Paper
The exam is currently 100% paper-based, though pilot programs for digital delivery are being explored for future reforms.
📑 Section Details
The exam is split into the 'Acceso' (General) phase which is mandatory and the 'Admisión' (Specific) phase which is voluntary for grade improvement. Each subject exam lasts 90 minutes and involves developing written responses based on a provided text or problem set.
🎯 Scoring System
Score Range
0 to 14 points
Good / Passing Score
5.0 out of 10.0 (Weighted Average)
How Scoring Works
60% of the final grade comes from Bachillerato and 40% from the EBAU General Phase, with up to 4 points added from the Specific Phase.
🏆 Minimum Scores for Top Universities
A minimum of 4.0 in the general phase is required to calculate the weighted average for university access.
📊 Section / sub-scoresSee all ▾
Writing
Integrated into Spanish and Foreign Language exams (0-10 scale).
Speaking
Varies (Only currently implemented in specific pilot regions or upcoming reform phases).
Listening
Varies (Only currently implemented in specific pilot regions or upcoming reform phases).
Reading
Integrated into Language and History exams.
Grammar
Assessed via penalties on all subject exams (up to 2 points deduction for errors).
Vocabulary
Assessed qualitatively within the language and literature sections.
Analytical
Evaluated through text commentary (Comentario de Texto) and source analysis.
Quantitative
Assessed via Mathematics II and Applied Mathematics for Social Sciences.
Verbal
Assessed through Spanish Language, Literature, and Foreign Language exams.
Subject
Each subject is individually scored on a scale from 0 to 10.
All Sub-Scores
Individual scores are provided for every subject taken in both the general and specific phases.
📈 Avg First Attempt
7.2 out of 10
🔼 Score Improvement
15-20%
💳 Registration & Fees
Fee (USD)
$110
See all ▾
110
Fee (INR)
₹9200
See all ▾
9200
Other
Varies by Autonomous Community (Approx. 70 to 100 EUR)
📝 Register Now →
📋 Policies (rescheduling, cancellation, verification, waivers)See all ▾
⏰ Register in Advance
1-2 Months
🔄 Rescheduling Policy
Rescheduling is generally not permitted except for documented force majeure or medical emergencies.
❌ Cancellation Policy
Cancellation is allowed before the registration deadline, but fees are typically only refunded in exceptional circumstances.
🔍 Score Verification
Yes
📋 Score Audit
Yes
↩ Reinstatement Policy
Not specified
🎁 Fee Waiver Criteria
Not specified
📅 Exam Dates & Schedule
📆 Available Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
🔁 Frequency
Twice per year
📊 Results Declared
2-3 weeks
🔄 Retake Policy
Students may retake the exam in the extraordinary session or subsequent years to improve scores.
⏰ Register By
1-2 Months
✅ Eligibility & Access
🎂 Age Limit
No
🎓 Education Required
Completion of the Spanish Bachillerato or a recognized equivalent secondary school diploma.
🛂 Citizenship
No
📍 Test Centers
500+
More on accommodations, ID, and special versionsSee all ▾
🪪 ID Required
Yes
♿ Accessibility
Extra time (usually 20-30 minutes), adapted materials, and specialized assistance for students with special educational needs.
🔀 Special Versions
Exams are provided in regional languages (Catalan, Galician, Valencian, Basque) based on the location.
📐 Subject Variants
Science, Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts.
🤝 Disability Accommodations
Available for physical, sensory, and learning disabilities including dyslexia and ADHD.
🗓 Exam Day Guide
✅ What to Bring
Valid ID card or passport, registration receipt, multiple pens, and an approved non-programmable calculator if applicable.
🚫 Prohibited Items
Smartwatches, mobile phones, correction fluid, programmable calculators, and unauthorized papers.
📋 Exam Day Rules
No electronic devices, no notes on the desk, specific blue or black ink only, and no leaving in the first 30 minutes.
After the exam: score reporting and deliverySee all ▾
⏱ Score Reporting
10 to 15 days
📤 Score Sending
Automatic transmission to the Spanish University District system upon registration for university places.
🎓 Score Recipients
Spanish Ministry of Education and all Spanish Public/Private Universities.
📚 Preparation Guide
📅 Recommended Prep Time
24 Months (Concurrent with Bachillerato studies)
🗓 Avg Prep Months
24 Months
Preparation involves a comprehensive review of the two-year Bachillerato curriculum across mandatory and elective subjects. Students typically use past exam papers and regional study guides to align with specific regional assessment criteria.
💡 Top Tips & Tricks
Focus heavily on past exam papers (modelos de examen) from your specific autonomous community to understand the question style. Pay close attention to spelling and grammar, as these can significantly impact your score in the language sections.
Full study plan, resources, and common mistakesSee all ▾
📅 Study Plan
The most effective plan involves intensive revision starting in May after the Bachillerato classes end. Dedicate specific blocks of time to core subjects like Spanish Language and History while balancing the weight of elective subjects.
📖 Recommended Books
Bachillerato Textbooks from Spanish publishers (SM, Santillana, Anaya) and regional 'Guías de Orientación' provided by universities.
🏫 Popular Prep Courses
Academias de Selectividad, Intensive Summer Bootcamps, and High School 'Repaso' sessions.
📱 Popular Prep Apps
Wuolah, Selectividad.info, and regional university exam apps.
✅ Official Practice Tests
Available on the websites of all regional public universities under 'Exámenes años anteriores'.
🆓 Free Online Resources
Past exam repositories on university websites (e.g., Universidad Complutense de Madrid portal) and YouTube channels dedicated to Selectividad revision.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Managing time poorly during the 90-minute blocks and failing to read the choice options (Option A or B) carefully before starting. Many students also lose points for poor presentation or illegible handwriting.
💡 EduAtlasHub Exclusive Insights
🔍 Insider Tips
Choose the specific phase subjects that have a 0.2 weighting for your desired degree to maximize your potential 14-point score. Always check the 'ponderaciones' table published by the regional university district.
⭐ Unique Features
The ability to customize your final grade (up to 14 points) by choosing specific elective subjects that weight more heavily for certain university degrees.
🎓 How This Score Impacts Your Application
The score is the primary factor for admission into competitive degrees like Medicine, Aerospace Engineering, and double majors where 'notas de corte' are very high.
More insights: country notes, comparisons, myths, examiner tipsSee all ▾
🌍 Country-Specific Notes
Each Spanish autonomous community (e.g., Madrid, Andalusia, Catalonia) has its own specific version of the exam, though they are standardized at a national level.
⚖️ Comparison with Alternatives
Unlike the SAT which is a standardized aptitude test, the EBAU is a curriculum-based exam similar to the A-Levels or the Baccalauréat.
🆕 Recent Changes
Philosophy has been reintroduced as a core subject option alongside History of Spain, and new arts modalities have been added.
🔜 Upcoming Changes
A gradual transition to a more competency-based evaluation model is expected to be fully implemented by the 2025/2026 academic year.
🧐 Myths vs Facts
Myth: You must take the exam in the same region you live in. Fact: While common, students can take it where they finished their Bachillerato or via UNED for international contexts.
👨‍🏫 Examiner Tips
Organize your answers with clear headings and leave margins for examiner comments to ensure your script is easy to grade.
🏆 Success Stories
Thousands of students annually use their EBAU scores to secure placements in prestigious medical and engineering faculties across Spain.
📋 Post-Exam Steps
Check the provisional results, request a revision if necessary, and then submit your university pre-registration (Preinscripción).
🎯 Score Uses Beyond Admission
Scores may be used for specific civil service entrance requirements or for merit-based scholarships.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the EBAU / Selectividad score valid?+
The EBAU / Selectividad score is valid for General phase: Permanent; Specific phase: 2 years.
How much does the EBAU / Selectividad cost?+
The exam fee is $110 (approximately ₹9200 in India).
How often can I retake the EBAU / Selectividad?+
Students may retake the exam in the extraordinary session or subsequent years to improve scores.
When are EBAU / Selectividad results declared?+
2-3 weeks
Which universities accept the EBAU / Selectividad?+
EBAU / Selectividad is accepted by 84.
Is a calculator allowed in the EBAU / Selectividad?+
Yes
How should I prepare for the EBAU / Selectividad?+
Preparation involves a comprehensive review of the two-year Bachillerato curriculum across mandatory and elective subjects.
📝
Register for EBAU / Selectividad
The gateway to higher education and professional success in Spain.
Register Now →
📊 Quick Facts
Official Site →
Conducted ByRegional Universities and the Ministry of Education of Spain
Year Started1974
CategoryUndergraduate University Entrance Examination
Last UpdatedJune 18, 2026
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