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EXANI-II
Examen Nacional de Ingreso a la Educación Superior
📝 Higher Education Entrance Examination Paper-based, Computer-based, and Online (Home Edition) ⏱ Valid: 1 to 2 years depending on the university's regulations. Since 1994 ⚡ Moderate to High
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
📝 Register Now 🌐 Official Site
Score Range
700 to 1300 points
Exam Fee
$45
Duration
4.5 hours
Questions
168 questions
Score Valid
1 to 2 years depending on the university's regulations.
Frequency
Varies by institution, typically 1 to 3 times per year.
Accepted By
1000+
Pass Rate
Varies significantly by university (10% to 50% depending on program demand).
Difficulty
Moderate to High
Quick Summary

EXANI-II (Examen Nacional de Ingreso a la Educación Superior) is a higher education entrance examination conducted by Centro Nacional de Evaluación para la Educación Superior (Ceneval). Scores range from 700 to 1300 points, valid for 1 to 2 years depending on the university's regulations., with a total duration of 4.5 hours. Accepted by 1000+, the exam fee is $45, with moderate to high difficulty level.

📋 Exam Overview
🎯
Score Range
700 to 1300 points
Duration
4.5 hours
💳
Fee
$45
📅
Valid For
1 to 2 years depending on the university's regulations.
🖥
Mode
Paper-based, Computer-based, and Online (Home Edition)
🌍
Accepted By
1000+
🗓
Frequency
Varies by institution, typically 1 to 3 times per year.
🏛
Conducted By
Centro Nacional de Evaluación para la Educación Superior (Ceneval)
Total Qs
168 questions
📑
Sections
Pensamiento Matemático, Comprensión Lectora, Redacción Indirecta, Módulos Específicos, Inglés
Difficulty
Moderate to High
📊
Pass Rate
Varies significantly by university (10% to 50% depending on program demand).
Evaluación integral para el ingreso a la educación superior.
👤 Who Should Take This Exam?
Students seeking admission to undergraduate programs in public or private Mexican universities that use Ceneval standards.
🎓 Education Level
Undergraduate
🌍 Accepted In
Mexico
📝 Exam Structure & Format
Question Types
Multiple choice with three possible answers per question.
Language / Medium
Spanish
Total Duration
4.5 hours
Retake Policy
Candidates can retake the exam in the next available institutional call without specific limits.
Total Questions
168 questions
Sections
Pensamiento Matemático, Comprensión Lectora, Redacción Indirecta, Módulos Específicos, Inglés
⚙️ More format details (timing, marking, equipment)See all
Time Per Section
There is no individual time limit per section; students manage their own time over the 4.5-hour duration.
Negative Marking
No
Calculator Allowed
Yes
Scratch Paper
Yes
Breaks Allowed
No
Home Edition
Yes
Digital vs Paper
The content is identical; however, the digital version is often preferred for faster score processing and the convenience of remote proctoring.
📑 Section Details
Includes 30 questions for Math, 30 for Reading, 30 for Writing, 24 for each of the two Specific Modules, and 30 for English.
🎯 Scoring System
Score Range
700 to 1300 points
Good / Passing Score
Varies by institution, typically 1000 is the mean baseline.
How Scoring Works
Scoring uses the Index Ceneval (ICNE) system where 1000 is the average score. Points are awarded for correct answers, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers.
🏆 Minimum Scores for Top Universities
The absolute minimum score on the Ceneval scale is 700.
📊 Section / sub-scoresSee all
Writing
Provided as part of the Redacción Indirecta sub-score.
Speaking
Not applicable
Listening
Not applicable
Reading
Provided as part of the Comprensión Lectora sub-score.
Grammar
Included within the Redacción Indirecta section.
Vocabulary
Integrated into the verbal reasoning and comprehension sections.
Analytical
Integrated into the Pensamiento Matemático results.
Quantitative
Provided as the Pensamiento Matemático sub-score.
Verbal
Combination of Reading and Writing scores.
Subject
Provided for each of the two disciplinary modules selected.
All Sub-Scores
Yes
📈 Avg First Attempt
1000
🔼 Score Improvement
10% to 20% with structured study programs.
💳 Registration & Fees
Fee (USD)
$45
See all
45
Fee (INR)
₹3750
See all
3750
Other
850 MXN (Average, varies by university)
📝 Register Now →
📋 Policies (rescheduling, cancellation, verification, waivers)See all
⏰ Register in Advance
2 to 3 months before the scheduled exam date.
🔄 Rescheduling Policy
Generally not allowed; candidates must re-register and pay the fee for a new date.
❌ Cancellation Policy
Registration fees are usually non-refundable once the payment is processed by the institution or Ceneval.
🔍 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
Varies by institution, typically 1 to 3 times per year.
📊 Results Declared
15 to 20 business days after the exam date.
🔄 Retake Policy
Candidates can retake the exam in the next available institutional call without specific limits.
⏰ Register By
2 to 3 months before the scheduled exam date.
✅ Eligibility & Access
🎂 Age Limit
No age limit
🎓 Education Required
High school diploma or being in the final year of high school.
🛂 Citizenship
No (Available to foreigners with valid ID).
📍 Test Centers
500+
More on accommodations, ID, and special versionsSee all
🪪 ID Required
Yes
♿ Accessibility
Special formats for visual impairment and extended time for candidates with documented disabilities.
🔀 Special Versions
Braille and oral exams available for specific accessibility needs.
📐 Subject Variants
Varies by career; modules include Pre-medicine, Health Sciences, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Law, Administration, and more.
🤝 Disability Accommodations
Available upon request during the registration process with supporting documentation.
🗓 Exam Day Guide
✅ What to Bring
Printed registration pass, official ID (INE or passport), number 2 pencils, eraser, sharpener, and basic calculator.
🚫 Prohibited Items
Smartphones, programmable calculators, smartwatches, food, and books.
📋 Exam Day Rules
No electronic devices allowed except basic calculators. Candidates must show their registration pass and official ID.
After the exam: score reporting and deliverySee all
⏱ Score Reporting
2 to 3 weeks
📤 Score Sending
Results are sent directly to the university of registration; students can also download their individual report.
🎓 Score Recipients
The institution where the candidate applied and the candidate themselves.
📚 Preparation Guide
📅 Recommended Prep Time
2 to 4 months
🗓 Avg Prep Months
3 months
Preparation focuses on high school mathematics, reading comprehension, and indirect writing skills. Additionally, students must study specific modules related to their chosen degree path.
💡 Top Tips & Tricks
Focus heavily on the career-specific modules as they differentiate candidates. Practice with the official Ceneval interactive guide to familiarize yourself with the question format.
Full study plan, resources, and common mistakesSee all
📅 Study Plan
Start studying three months in advance, dedicating four weeks to core subjects and four weeks to disciplinary modules. Spend the final month taking full-length practice exams.
📖 Recommended Books
Guía Oficial Ceneval EXANI-II, Manual de Pensamiento Matemático de Ceneval, and specific disciplinary textbooks.
🏫 Popular Prep Courses
Unitips, Unibetas, and various local university preparatory academies.
📱 Popular Prep Apps
Guía Interactiva EXANI-II, Unitips App.
✅ Official Practice Tests
Yes, available through the Ceneval website and mobile application.
🆓 Free Online Resources
Official Ceneval Interactive Guide, university-provided study guides, and educational YouTube channels like Profe Galán.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Not specified
💡 EduAtlasHub Exclusive Insights
🔍 Insider Tips
In the Indirect Writing section, focus on formal grammatical rules rather than just common usage. In the Math section, practice mental calculation to save time for complex problems.
⭐ Unique Features
Features a 'Diagnostic English' section which universities can choose to include or exclude from the final admission score.
🎓 How This Score Impacts Your Application
The score is often the primary factor for admission into competitive programs like Medicine, Law, or Engineering in Mexican public universities.
More insights: country notes, comparisons, myths, examiner tipsSee all
🌍 Country-Specific Notes
The exam is the gold standard for university admission across most of Mexico's federal states, except for UNAM and IPN which have their own tests.
⚖️ Comparison with Alternatives
The EXANI-II is more modular than the PAA (College Board) and more focused on specific career knowledge than the general UNAM exam.
🆕 Recent Changes
In 2021, Ceneval launched a 'New EXANI-II' with updated modules and reduced the number of choices per question from four to three.
🔜 Upcoming Changes
Continued transition to 'Home Edition' for more remote locations and periodic updates to specific module content.
🧐 Myths vs Facts
Myth: The English section is mandatory for admission. Fact: English is diagnostic and its weight depends entirely on the specific university's policy.
👨‍🏫 Examiner Tips
Pay close attention to the specific modules for your career path as they often separate the top candidates in high-demand degrees.
🏆 Success Stories
Students using structured online platforms have reported increasing their scores from the national average to the top 5% of applicants.
📋 Post-Exam Steps
Check the university's website for the results publication date and prepare for secondary admission steps like interviews or physical exams.
🎯 Score Uses Beyond Admission
Used for scholarship eligibility and academic diagnostic placement in first-year university courses.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the EXANI-II score valid?+
The EXANI-II score is valid for 1 to 2 years depending on the university's regulations..
How much does the EXANI-II cost?+
The exam fee is $45 (approximately ₹3750 in India).
How often can I retake the EXANI-II?+
Candidates can retake the exam in the next available institutional call without specific limits.
When are EXANI-II results declared?+
15 to 20 business days after the exam date.
Which universities accept the EXANI-II?+
EXANI-II is accepted by 1000+.
Is a calculator allowed in the EXANI-II?+
Yes
How should I prepare for the EXANI-II?+
Preparation focuses on high school mathematics, reading comprehension, and indirect writing skills. Additionally, students must study specific modules related to their chosen degree path.
📝
Register for EXANI-II
Evaluación integral para el ingreso a la educación superior.
Register Now →
📊 Quick Facts
Official Site →
Conducted ByCentro Nacional de Evaluación para la Educación Superior (Ceneval)
Year Started1994
CategoryHigher Education Entrance Examination
Last UpdatedJune 18, 2026
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