The Selectivity exams 2026 are one of the most important tests for gaining access to university. Knowing what the exams are like, how long they last, which subjects are included and what the validity of the grade is, is key to preparing for them safely and avoiding mistakes.
In this complete guide, we explain everything you need to know about the Selectivity exams, with clear, up-to-date information and practical tips to face them with confidence.
Also known as PAU 2026, Selectivity is part of the university entrance exams within the Spanish education system.
When are the Selectivity exams held?
The Selectivity exams are held in the ordinary and extraordinary sittings, but the exact dates change every year.
You can check the dates of the sitting, the exam date, and all the official information about Selectivity 2026.
If the exam is not passed in the ordinary sitting, students may sit the extraordinary sitting, with the same exam format and the same marking criteria being maintained.
Updates on the Selectivity exams 2025–2026
The Selectivity exams 2026 maintain a competency-based approach, in which students must demonstrate their ability to analyse, interpret information, think critically and solve problems, beyond memorisation.
The new PAU 2026 models are based on the subject guidelines, drawn up by committees of specialists in each discipline, with the aim of unifying criteria and improving educational assessment within the education system.
Competency-Based Design
The Selectivity exams 2026 prioritise exercises designed to assess how students apply their knowledge in real-life situations, strengthening teaching processes and reducing the weight of memorisation.
Optionality
In Selectivity 2026, each subject has a single exam model, although some exercises may include internal optionality, allowing students to choose between several questions within the same section.
Many autonomous communities have already published exam models and PAU 2026 exam models, enabling students to become familiar in advance with the available exams and the exam format.
Types of questions
The Selectivity exams are structured as follows:
- Open-response questions
- Semi-constructed questions
- Multiple-choice questions (maximum 30%)
This format aims to assess students’ comprehension, reasoning skills and written expression.
In subjects such as Mathematics II or Biology, the Selectivity 2026 exams combine practical exercises with reasoning-based questions, making it essential to understand the concepts well and know how to apply them correctly in each university entrance exam.
Marking Criteria
In the Selectivity exams 2026, particular emphasis is placed on:
- The coherence and cohesion of the text
- Grammatical, lexical and spelling accuracy
- Clarity and organisation of the answers
Presentation may result in a penalty of up to 10% of the final grade, a key aspect within the educational assessment process.
Specific criteria in Language exams
- A penalty of 0.1 points per spelling mistake, with a maximum of 20% of the grade
- A reduction of up to 2 points in cases of serious grammatical errors or poor writing
- In foreign languages, a reduction of up to 10% due to difficulties in comprehension or expression
These criteria are applied strictly and can make a difference in the final results.
How long do the Selectivity exams last?
The duration of the Selectivity exams is usually between 90 and 120 minutes, depending on the subject and the type of exam.
During this time, especially on the day of the exam, it is essential to manage time well, read each question carefully and structure answers correctly.
In some specific cases, such as justified situations or special educational needs, students may be granted adaptations or additional time. You can find out how special and incident tribunals work in the Selectivity exams in Catalonia in this article.
How to prepare for the Selectivity exams 2026
Preparing for Selectivity requires planning and consistency, especially in the weeks leading up to the exams. At Unihabit, where we support students and families throughout the entire process, we have compiled some practical tips to successfully face these university entrance exams:
- Focus on the subjects you’re strongest in, but don’t neglect the others.
- Take into account the subjects with the highest weighting within the university admissions selection process.
- Make a timetable so you can organise yourself and prepare all subjects.
- Study in a calm environment without distractions.
- Be clear on the entire syllabus; if you have doubts, rely on the guidance service or your teachers.
- Make the most of the time of day when you feel most productive, and rest for the remainder of the day, as not everyone feels equally productive in the morning or in the afternoon.
- Practise with past exam papers and with digital tools.
- Allow yourself to rest; you need enough energy for the exams.
- Trust yourself. Everything you need to know, you have already worked on during these years of upper secondary education.
- Read the questions carefully, take a deep breath and answer in an organised and structured way what is being asked.
- If you go blank on a question, don’t worry! Keep answering the other questions and leave this one for the end.
- Don’t rush to finish the exam early, but don’t get distracted either. Manage your time to answer all the questions in the best possible way.
- Don’t get overwhelmed if you don’t reach the cut-off mark; you have many options to get where you want to go.
In addition to individual study, some students choose to take a specialised course to prepare for Selectivity, especially in subjects with a higher level of difficulty.
Having good academic coordination and the support of educational advisers can make a difference throughout the entire preparation process.
Frequently asked questions about the Selectivity exams 2026
When does the Selectivity grade expire?
The grade obtained in the general phase of Selectivity does not expire and has indefinite validity.
On the other hand, the grade obtained in the specific phase has a duration of 3 years, counting the year in which the exam is taken and the two following academic years.
In communities such as Catalonia, this validity system is maintained under the same general conditions.
What grade is needed to pass Selectivity?
- General phase: minimum 4, with a final average ≥ 5
- Specific phase: minimum 5 per exam
The final grade determines the results and access to certain university programmes.
How many optional subjects can be chosen to improve the grade?
In the specific phase, the student can choose a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 3 optional subjects.
These subjects correspond to the Voluntary Phase, whose objective is to improve the university admission grade.
Which subjects are compulsory in the Selectivity exams 2026?
The compulsory subjects are part of the general phase:
- Spanish Language and Literature
- Co-official Language (if applicable)
- Foreign Language
- History of Spain or History of Philosophy
- One modality subject according to the Bachillerato studied
If you take Selectivity in Catalonia, don’t miss this article where we explain the specific system in detail:
Where can Selectivity grades be consulted?
Selectivity grades can be consulted through the official university access portal, using the credentials provided after sitting the exams.
Are you preparing for Selectivity 2026?
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