Lorraine Williamson
Selectividad – the national university entrance exam for thousands of secondary students across Spain – is a high-stakes hurdle.
In 2025, the pressure is greater than ever, as students face tougher tests, intense competition, and deepening inequality within the education system.
From Bachillerato to university: The route to higher education
Before taking Selectividad, students must complete the Bachillerato, a two-year post-compulsory education programme for 16 to 18-year-olds. During these two years, students specialise in areas like science, humanities, or arts, selecting subjects that align with their intended university degree.
While comparable to upper secondary qualifications in the UK and other European systems, the Bachillerato is specific to Spain and plays a critical role in determining university access.
How the Selectividad exam works
The Selectividad exam, officially known as the Evaluación del Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad (EBAU or PAU), is made up of several tests. A student’s final score can reach a maximum of 14 points, calculated as follows:
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Up to 10 points: 60% from the Bachillerato average and 40% from core exam results.
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Up to 4 additional points: Earned through optional subject exams, which are weighted based on relevance to the chosen university degree.
Admission to competitive degrees such as medicine or engineering often requires scores above 13. In some cases, even a 0.1-point difference can determine whether a student secures a place.
Unequal chances: School type matters
In 2025, concern is growing about disparities between public and semi-private (concertadas) schools. Although both follow the national curriculum, concertadas have more flexibility in grading. In many cases, students in concertadas can retake assessments to improve marks — an option rarely offered in public institutions.
As Bachillerato grades count heavily toward final university scores, this flexibility gives concertada students a clear advantage. Teachers and education experts warn that the system increasingly favours those who can afford private or semi-private education.
2025 exam reforms: Tougher, standardised, and more stressful
Following leniencies introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2025 Selectividad returns to a stricter format. Exams are now uniform nationwide, with greater emphasis on reasoning and application skills. Students no longer benefit from optional questions or topic choices — a change that many say increases academic pressure.
Though intended to create a fairer system, the reforms may widen existing gaps, especially for students who lack access to additional support or private tuition.
Popular courses and university cities
Despite the challenges, demand for top university courses remains high. In 2025, the most sought-after degrees include:
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Mathematics and Physics (double degree)
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Medicine
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Biomedical Sciences
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Computer Science and Data Science
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Law and International Relations
Students are also drawn to universities in cities with strong reputations and better opportunities. Madrid and Barcelona continue to lead, followed by Valencia, Salamanca, and Granada.
A system under scrutiny
Access to university in Spain is increasingly shaped by a student’s school background and financial resources. While Selectividad is designed to be a merit-based system, disparities in preparation and support mean not all students start from the same place.
As one public school teacher noted in El País, “It’s a slap in the face to students who work hard but don’t get the same opportunities.”
In 2025, Selectividad is more than an exam — it’s a reflection of broader inequality in Spain’s education landscape. For students without access to flexible schools or extra resources, the path to university remains uphill.