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SABER 11
Pruebas Saber 11
📝 National Standardized Test / University Entrance Exam Paper-based (Predominant), with some digital pilots ⏱ Valid: Indefinite Since 1968 ⚡ Moderate to High
🕐 Last updated: June 18, 2026
📝 Register Now 🌐 Official Site
›
Score Range
0 - 500
Exam Fee
$18
Duration
9 hours
Questions
278
Score Valid
Indefinite
Frequency
Twice a year (Calendar A and Calendar B)
Accepted By
300
Pass Rate
Not applicable
Difficulty
Moderate to High
📝 Register for SABER 11 🌐 Official Website ✍️ Need application help? →
Quick Summary

SABER 11 (Pruebas Saber 11) is a national standardized test / university entrance exam conducted by ICFES (Instituto Colombiano para la Evaluación de la Educación). Scores range from 0 - 500, valid for Indefinite, with a total duration of 9 hours. Accepted by 300, the exam fee is $18, with moderate to high difficulty level.

📋 Exam Overview
🎯
Score Range
0 - 500
⏱
Duration
9 hours
💳
Fee
$18
📅
Valid For
Indefinite
🖥
Mode
Paper-based (Predominant), with some digital pilots
🌍
Accepted By
300
🗓
Frequency
Twice a year (Calendar A and Calendar B)
🏛
Conducted By
ICFES (Instituto Colombiano para la Evaluación de la Educación)
❓
Total Qs
278
📑
Sections
Lectura Crítica, Matemáticas, Sociales y Ciudadanas, Ciencias Naturales, Inglés
⚡
Difficulty
Moderate to High
📊
Pass Rate
Not applicable
Evaluar para mejorar la calidad de la educación
👤 Who Should Take This Exam?
High school seniors in Colombia and graduates seeking admission to higher education institutions.
🎓 Education Level
Secondary Education / Undergraduate Admission
🌍 Accepted In
Colombia Spain (via UNED agreements) and selected Latin American countries.
📝 Exam Structure & Format
Question Types
Multiple choice with a single correct answer.
Language / Medium
Spanish
Total Duration
9 hours
Retake Policy
Students may retake the exam as many times as they wish in subsequent sessions as a graduate.
Total Questions
278
Sections
Lectura Crítica, Matemáticas, Sociales y Ciudadanas, Ciencias Naturales, Inglés
⚙️ More format details (timing, marking, equipment)See all ▾
Time Per Section
Varies by section, averaging 1.5 to 2 minutes per question.
Negative Marking
No
Calculator Allowed
No
Scratch Paper
Yes
Breaks Allowed
Yes
Home Edition
No
Digital vs Paper
Paper is currently the standard format; digital pilots offer similar content but require computer literacy.
📑 Section Details
The exam is divided into two 4.5-hour sessions covering five academic components and a socio-economic questionnaire.
🎯 Scoring System
Score Range
0 - 500
Good / Passing Score
Varies by university (usually 250+ is considered average)
How Scoring Works
Calculated using Item Response Theory (IRT) which weights questions by difficulty and student performance patterns.
📊 Section / sub-scoresSee all ▾
Writing
Not specified
Speaking
Not specified
Listening
Not specified
Reading
0-100
Grammar
Not specified
Vocabulary
Not specified
Analytical
0-100
Quantitative
0-100
Verbal
Not specified
Subject
0-100
All Sub-Scores
Yes
📈 Avg First Attempt
250
🔼 Score Improvement
15%
💳 Registration & Fees
Fee (USD)
$18
See all ▾
18
Fee (INR)
₹1500
See all ▾
1500
Other
67,500 - 90,000 COP
📝 Register Now →
📋 Policies (rescheduling, cancellation, verification, waivers)See all ▾
⏰ Register in Advance
3 months
🔄 Rescheduling Policy
Generally not allowed after the registration deadline; students must register for a new session.
❌ Cancellation Policy
Fees are non-refundable after the registration period concludes, except in extraordinary circumstances.
🔍 Score Verification
Yes
📋 Score Audit
Yes
↩ Reinstatement Policy
Requires a formal administrative appeal and verification process.
🎁 Fee Waiver Criteria
Available for students in lower socio-economic brackets (SISBEN categories) through institutional registration.
📅 Exam Dates & Schedule
📆 Available Months
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
🔁 Frequency
Twice a year (Calendar A and Calendar B)
📊 Results Declared
8 to 12 weeks
🔄 Retake Policy
Students may retake the exam as many times as they wish in subsequent sessions as a graduate.
⏰ Register By
3 months
✅ Eligibility & Access
🎂 Age Limit
None
🎓 Education Required
Completion of 11th grade or high school diploma.
🛂 Citizenship
None
📍 Test Centers
500
More on accommodations, ID, and special versionsSee all ▾
🪪 ID Required
Yes
♿ Accessibility
Special sessions available for students with visual, hearing, or cognitive disabilities.
🔀 Special Versions
Braille versions, sign language interpretation, and simplified cognitive versions.
📐 Subject Variants
Not specified
🤝 Disability Accommodations
ICFES provides specialized materials, interpreters, and extended time for candidates with documented disabilities.
🗓 Exam Day Guide
✅ What to Bring
No. 2 pencil, eraser, sharpener, and valid national identification document.
🚫 Prohibited Items
Mobile phones, calculators, cameras, books, and notes.
📋 Exam Day Rules
No electronic devices permitted; students must remain in the room for a minimum required time per session.
After the exam: score reporting and deliverySee all ▾
⏱ Score Reporting
2 months
📤 Score Sending
Digital certificates are available for download; universities verify scores through the ICFES database.
🎓 Score Recipients
All Higher Education Institutions in Colombia and the Ministry of Education.
📚 Preparation Guide
📅 Recommended Prep Time
4 months
🗓 Avg Prep Months
4
Preparation involves reviewing high school curriculum content across five core areas with a focus on logic and reading comprehension. Many students attend weekend 'Pre-Icfes' courses to familiarize themselves with the test format.
💡 Top Tips & Tricks
Focus heavily on reading comprehension as it is the foundation of all sections. Practice time management to ensure you complete all 278 questions within the two sessions.
Full study plan, resources, and common mistakesSee all ▾
📅 Study Plan
A three-month plan is recommended, dedicating one month to core sciences, one month to mathematics and reading, and one month to social studies and English.
📖 Recommended Books
ICFES official guidebooks, Milton Ochoa preparation manuals, and Los Tres Editores study guides.
🏫 Popular Prep Courses
Milton Ochoa, Ipler, Filadd, and various school-led 'Pre-Icfes' programs.
📱 Popular Prep Apps
Icfes tiene un Preicfes, Pruéba-T, and Khan Academy.
✅ Official Practice Tests
Yes
🆓 Free Online Resources
ICFES 'El Icfes tiene un Preicfes' mobile app, Pruéba-T platform, and official practice booklets on the ICFES website.
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overthinking simple questions and failing to properly bubble in the answer sheet. Many students also lose focus during the second 4.5-hour afternoon session.
💡 EduAtlasHub Exclusive Insights
🔍 Insider Tips
The 'Sociales y Ciudadanas' section often asks about constitutional rights and Colombian history, so review the 1991 Constitution. Also, use the process of elimination for the English section.
⭐ Unique Features
Includes a Citizen Competencies section and is linked directly to the national 'Generación E' scholarship program.
🎓 How This Score Impacts Your Application
High scores are critical for admission to top public universities and are the primary requirement for national scholarships like 'Generación E'.
More insights: country notes, comparisons, myths, examiner tipsSee all ▾
🌍 Country-Specific Notes
The exam is a mandatory requirement for graduation from high school in Colombia and serves as a benchmark for educational quality.
⚖️ Comparison with Alternatives
Similar in function to the SAT (USA) or ENEM (Brazil), focusing on national curriculum standards.
🆕 Recent Changes
Elimination of the interdisciplinary component and merger of Language and Philosophy into 'Lectura Crítica'.
🔜 Upcoming Changes
Gradual implementation of computer-based testing for all candidates is being explored.
🧐 Myths vs Facts
Myth: The exam is only for elite students. Fact: It is a democratic tool for social mobility through public university access.
👨‍🏫 Examiner Tips
Read the instructions for each section carefully and do not leave any question unanswered as there is no penalty for guessing.
🏆 Success Stories
Numerous students from rural areas have achieved perfect 500 scores, leading to full scholarships and Ivy League admissions.
📋 Post-Exam Steps
Wait for results, download the individual report, and apply for university admission or scholarships.
🎯 Score Uses Beyond Admission
Used for military service exemptions in some cases and government employment criteria.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How long is the SABER 11 score valid?+
The SABER 11 score is valid for Indefinite.
How much does the SABER 11 cost?+
The exam fee is $18 (approximately ₹1500 in India).
How often can I retake the SABER 11?+
Students may retake the exam as many times as they wish in subsequent sessions as a graduate.
When are SABER 11 results declared?+
8 to 12 weeks
Which universities accept the SABER 11?+
SABER 11 is accepted by 300.
Is a calculator allowed in the SABER 11?+
No
How should I prepare for the SABER 11?+
Preparation involves reviewing high school curriculum content across five core areas with a focus on logic and reading comprehension.
📝
Register for SABER 11
Evaluar para mejorar la calidad de la educación
Register Now →
📊 Quick Facts
Official Site →
Conducted ByICFES (Instituto Colombiano para la Evaluación de la Educación)
Year Started1968
CategoryNational Standardized Test / University Entrance Exam
Last UpdatedJune 18, 2026
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