The thousands of Andalusian students who are gambling their academic future on the University Entrance Exam, the well-known SelectividadThey now have the final calendar in hand to organize their final stretch of high school. The official dates set the pace of study for schools, academies, and families, who adjust schedules and mock exams to very specific days.
In the 2025/2026 academic year, the Andalusian Regional Government has confirmed a common framework of dates, exam structure and marking criteria This will serve as the benchmark for all students applying for a place at Andalusian public universities. At the same time, the changes introduced by the LOMLOE (Organic Law for the Modification of the Organic Law on Education) are consolidated, and aspects such as weighting factors and the method for calculating the final admission grade are refined.
Official dates for university entrance exams in Andalusia
The Andalusian Single District, the platform that coordinates pre-registration and admission to the ten public universities in the communityThe university has set the schedule for the university entrance exams (PAU) for the 2025/2026 academic year. The regular session will be held on the following days: 2, 3 4 y de Junio, while the extraordinary one will take place on June 30th and July 1st and 2nd.
As usual, each day will begin with the Students summoned at 8:00 in the morning at the various venues distributed throughout the Andalusian provinces. From there, the exams will continue in three main time slots: 8:30-10:00, 11:00-12:30 and 13:30-15:00However, each university may introduce minor timetable adjustments depending on the internal organization of its campuses.
The first day of the test is reserved for the common core subjectsThe students will be examined on Spanish Language and Literature II in the first time slot; mid-morning it will be the turn of History of Spain or History of Philosophy, and the midday session will be dedicated to the Foreign Language of the access phase.
On the second day, the schedule opens up to the different Baccalaureate modalities: Mathematics II, Latin II, Musical Analysis II, Artistic Drawing II or General Sciences They will occupy the first batch; then subjects such as Applied Mathematics for Social Sciences II, Greek II, Performing Arts II or Technical Drawing Applied to Plastic Arts and Design IIAt midday, the focus will be on subjects such as Physics, Business and Business Model Design, Choir and Vocal Technique II or Cultural and Artistic Movements.
Order of exams and subjects for the third day
The third day of the Selectividad exams is where a large part of the exams are concentrated. most in-demand specialty subjectsIn the first time slot, students will face exams in Biology, Geography, Design, Technical Drawing II or History of Music and Dance, according to the itinerary followed in Baccalaureate.
Next up will be the Foreign Language admission phase For those looking to improve their grades through a second language, along with other subjects such as Chemistry, Dramatic Literature or Graphic-Plastic Expression TechniquesIn the final segment, the day will conclude with tests such as History of Art, Artistic Fundamentals, Geology and Environmental Sciences or Technology and Engineering II.
In parallel, slots are reserved for the so-called time zone clash examsThese adjustments are intended for students who, due to their chosen course of study, have two subjects scheduled in the same period. They allow each student to take all their chosen exams without missing any opportunities due to scheduling conflicts.
The structure is repeated in both the ordinary and extraordinary calls, so that those who have to appear in July They will find the same order of exams, simply moved to the dates of the extraordinary phase: June 30, July 1 and 2.
A more competency-based and demanding exam model
This year's university entrance exam consolidates the model derived from the LOMLOE and the state agreements to standardize the tests between autonomous communities. This translates into exams with greater weight given to competency-based questionswhich represent around 20-25% of the total, although the specific percentage varies depending on the subject.
These types of issues require the student not to simply reproduce memorized content, but rather Apply knowledge to concrete situations, interpret documents, reason and relate ideasThe aim is to more realistically assess students' ability to function in complex academic and professional contexts.
Another aspect that is reinforced is the linguistic correction in all subjectsnot only in language-related subjects. Each exam will take into account spelling, grammar, vocabulary, and the coherence of the answers, penalizing errors in spelling, accents, and punctuation. Although the impact of these errors is greater in language subjects, they will also affect the grade in the other subjects.
The Andalusian Regional Government has indicated that they will remain common minimum correction criteria in line with the guidelines of the Conference of Rectors (CRUE). Thus, beyond the final outcome of a problem or issue, special consideration will be given to the process followed, clarity of presentation, and precision of language used.
PAU structure: access phase and admission phase
The Andalusian university entrance exam system is organized into two main sections. On the one hand, there is the Entrance Exam, mandatoryThis exam, which is graded out of 10 points, is a requirement for all students seeking university admission. In this section, students are tested on... Spanish Language and Literature II, a Foreign Language, History of Spain or History of Philosophy and a subject from the Baccalaureate specialization.
On the other hand there is the Admission Test, voluntary in natureThis is aimed at improving the entry score for degrees with higher cut-off scores. In this additional phase, the student can take up to three extra specific subjects and a second languagestrategically choosing those subjects that offer the greatest benefit according to the career they aspire to.
To pass the compulsory phase, it is not necessary to achieve a minimum grade in each exam separately; the Access Phase Qualification (CFA)which must be equal to or greater than 4 points (calculated with three decimal places) once all common tests have been weighted. Individual exams, on the other hand, are marked with up to two decimal places.
The university entrance grade is obtained by combining 60% of the average high school diploma (1st and 2nd) and 40% of the grade for the compulsory phase of the PAUOn top of that result, the following can be added: up to 4 additional points coming from the Admission Test, so the maximum theoretical admission grade is 14.
How do the weightings work and what changes are coming?
In the voluntary phase, the so-called weightsThese are the coefficients that multiply the grade of a specific subject to convert it into additional admission points. These coefficients are usually of 0,1 or 0,2 (and in some cases 0,15) and are only applied if the students obtain a grade equal to or higher than 5 in that matter.
For example, if a subject is weighted at 0,2 for a certain grade and the student gets a 10 on that exam, it will add 2 extra points to your access grade (10 x 0,2 = 2)If the weighting is 0,1, the same result would contribute 1 additional point. Andalusian universities tend to allocate the maximum coefficient of 0,2 Subjects directly related to the degree are weighted, while other subjects further removed from that field usually have a weight of 0,1 or even 0.
With the university entrance exams this year approaching, significant changes are being introduced in some subjects. One of the most discussed changes affects... General sciences, which ceases to weight with 0,2 in numerous degrees of the branches of Sciences, Health Sciences, Engineering and ArchitectureThis reduces its strategic weight in careers such as Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy or Dentistry, where it could previously make a significant difference in the admission grade.
The use of the Mathematics II and Applied Mathematics to Social Sciences IIUntil now, many students took exams in both subjects to take advantage of the 0,2 weighting they could receive in certain grades. However, in this exam session, only one subject will be considered. one of them (whichever provides the greatest benefit) along with another different subject for calculating the final grade, which limits the possibility of accumulating points with two versions of the same competition.
To make informed decisions, it is essential to consult the updated weighting tables of the Andalusian Single DistrictThese tables specify which subjects are weighted at 0,1, 0,15, or 0,2 for each university degree. They allow students to design a strategy for taking optional exams tailored to the cut-off scores for their chosen degree.
Calculation of the final grade and weight of the Baccalaureate
The university admission score doesn't depend solely on what happens during those three days of exams. previous experience in high school has a dominant weight in the result. The official formula states that the The average grade from the 1st and 2nd year of Baccalaureate accounts for 60% of the access gradeWhile The Access Phase of the University Entrance Exam contributes 40% remaining.
In practical terms, this means that a high average in high school can to cushion a weaker result in the SelectividadAnd vice versa: a poor previous performance will be difficult to compensate for, even with good exams in June. To this base (maximum 10 points) are then added the weighting points of the voluntary phase, up to a maximum of 4.
The right combination of subjects in the University Entrance Exam is key to getting close to the most demanding cut-off scores. Degrees such as Medicine, Physiotherapy, Aerospace Engineering or highly sought-after double degrees They usually require final grades very close to 13 or 14 points, so the choice of specific subjects becomes a real exercise in strategy.
It is also important that students bear in mind that the Cut-off scores are not fixedEach year, the figures are calculated based on the grade of the last student who gained admission to a specific degree program, at a specific university, and through a specific admission route. Therefore, the figures from previous years, available on the Andalusian Single District website, are for informational purposes only. indicative.
Publication of grades and application deadlines
Once the exams are over, attention shifts to the results and admissions schedule. According to the official plan, the Notes for the regular call for applications will be published on June 11thStarting at 10:00 a.m. In the extraordinary session, the grades will be released on July 9th, around 8:00 p.m.
From the moment the regular grades are made public, a crucial period begins: the period of application for a place in the Andalusian public university systemThe deadline for registering pre-registration through the Andalusian Single District will be extended, according to the resolution published in the BOJA, from June 11th to June 22nd.
During those days, each student will need to complete a unique electronic form in which will rank all Andalusian degrees and centers by preference in which you would be willing to enroll. This order is binding for the entire admissions process, so it is advisable to include a sufficient number of options and place them carefully to avoid problems later.
In the case of the extraordinary session, the procedure is similar. On July 9, coinciding with the publication of the grades, the application period also opens. submit applications for admissionwhich are integrated into the same system for allocating places, with their own dates for the July, September and October phases.
Allocation of places and waiting lists
The schedule for allocating places in Andalusia is very structured. For the ordinary phase, the The first award will be published on July 3rdStudents will be able to submit between July 3rd and 9th. allegations or claimsformalize your registration in the assigned course, reserve a place or confirm your stay in waiting list, depending on each case.
La The second allocation will arrive on July 16thwith a processing period from July 16 to 20 to repeat the same set of procedures: claims, registration, reservation, or confirmation on waiting lists. Those who have not yet been assigned a place should closely monitor their file, as Failure to interact with the system within the specified timeframes will result in automatic exclusion from the process.
From there, it will be the turn of the results listsThese are used to fill any vacancies that arise. Five waves have been set for the ordinary phase, with publications scheduled for [dates to be inserted here]. July 24, September 3, September 11, September 24 and October 8Each list is accompanied by a specific deadline for registration or confirmation of continued participation in the process.
In the extraordinary phase, the scheme is similar but shifted in time. The first award is scheduled for July 24th and second one for September 3rdNext, three additional result lists will be opened, with dates between September 11 and October 8until all available places in the Andalusian public system are exhausted.
Access quotas and reservation of places
The admissions procedure distinguishes between a overall quota, which brings together most of the places for each degree and university, and several specific quotas intended for groups requiring special consideration. Among the latter are those who access with university degree or equivalent (1% of the places), students with disability or associated special educational needs (5%) and the high-level or high-performance athletes (3% in general and up to 8% in Physiotherapy and Physical Activity and Sports Sciences).
They also have reserved slots 25 over years (2%), the People over 40 and 45 years old with work or professional experience (2%) and people at risk of social exclusion Residents of Andalusia, Ceuta and Melilla, who have an additional 1% of places that are added to and not deducted from the general quota.
Once the awards of the ordinary phase are completed, the vacant places in each of the reserve quotas These places are added to the general quota. If, after exhausting the waiting lists, there are still places available, these are offered in the extraordinary phase and, later on, they are distributed strictly following the order of the waiting list through the results lists.
It is essential that each applicant frequently check their status in the Andalusian Single District and act within the established deadlines. Only one applicant can be selected per allocation. an active position in a single center and qualificationTherefore, you will have to choose between enrolling, reserving, or continuing to wait for a higher-preference option.
With this calendar and these rules now clear, access to university in Andalusia enters a phase of maximum intensity, where Study planning, the right choice of specific subjects, and good management of administrative deadlines They can make the difference between falling short or achieving the desired place in the dream degree program.