PCE Exams vs. EBAU Exams: Which Spanish University Entrance Exam Do International Students Need?

Let us help you avoid any confusion. Here is a detailed guide to Spain’s two different university entrance exams.

You will hear the word “Selectividad” everywhere. It is the be-all term for university entrance exams in Spain. But for international students, “Selectividad” usually doesn’t mean the exam that Spanish students take.

If you are applying from abroad, you are likely facing a choice between two acronyms: EBAU Exams and PCE Exams. 

Choosing the wrong one can be a critical mistake, registering for the local exam when you in fact needed the international one (or vice versa), can disqualify your entire application.

This guide aims to clarify exactly which exam matches your high school diploma so you can register with confidence.

(Last Updated: April 2026)

Key Takeaways

• Origin Determines the Test: If you have a Spanish high school diploma (Bachillerato), you take the EBAU. If you have a foreign high school diploma, you take the PCE.
  
• UNED is Your Gateway: International students must register for their exams through UNEDasiss, the specific department of the National University of Distance Education, not through local universities.
  
• Flexible “A-la-Carte” Structure: The PCE is strategically easier because it allows you to choose 4 to 6 specific subjects to raise your grade, whereas the EBAU forces you to take mandatory blocks like Spanish, History and Literature.
  
• Testing Location: A major advantage of the PCE is that you can take it in your home country at one of 45+ UNED centers worldwide. The EBAU must be taken physically in Spain.
  
• EU Student Exemption: Students from the EU (and reciprocity countries) generally do not need to take the full entrance exam. They can enter directly with their home grades or just take 2 PCE subjects to boost their score for competitive degrees.
  
• Language Requirement: Both exams are conducted in Spanish. Even if you plan to study an English-taught degree, the entrance exams themselves are almost exclusively in Spanish.
  
• Registration Deadlines: You must register for the PCE between March and April. Missing this window means you cannot enter university that year, as there is no “late registration” for the main session.

What is the Difference Between EBAU Exam and PCE Exam?

The EBAU Exam is the mandatory exam for students with a Spanish high school diploma, while the PCE is the specific competency test for students with foreign diplomas.

While both exams serve the same purpose (calculating your University Access Grade (Calificación de Acceso)), they are designed for completely different education systems.

• EBAU Exam (Evaluación del Bachillerato para el Acceso a la Universidad): This is the classic “Selectividad.” It is organized by public universities in each Autonomous Community (ex: Madrid, Catalonia) and is designed to test the Spanish national curriculum.
  
• PCE Exam (Pruebas de Competencias Específicas): This is the “Selectividad for Foreigners.” It is organized by UNED (National University of Distance Education). It is designed specifically for international students who need to homologate their foreign grades to the Spanish system.

Who Should Take the PCE Exam?

The PCE Exam is designed for students outside the Spanish school system, particularly non-EU students who need to homologate their high school diploma.

If you are graduating from a high school in the USA, Latin America, Asia, or any non-EU country, the PCE Exam is your pathway.

• Why take it? Your foreign high school GPA gives you a maximum score of 6 points (a “Pass”). To enter competitive public universities, you often need a score between 10 and 14. The PCE allows you to earn those extra points by taking specific subjects.
• The “A-la-Carte” Advantage: Unlike the rigid Spanish system, the PCE allows you to choose specific subjects (usually 4 to 6) that align with your strengths and your chosen degree.
• Location Benefit: A huge advantage of the PCE is that it can be taken internationally. UNED operates over 45 examination centers worldwide, allowing you to take the test in your home country before moving to Spain.

Which PCE Exam Subjects Should You Choose?

While the PCE is “a-la-carte,” you cannot just pick any subjects. To be eligible for most degrees, you must prove a Modality of Bachillerato. 

This means choosing a specific combination of core and track-specific subjects (ex: Mathematics II + Physics + Chemistry for Engineering). 

The “Volante de Homologación”: PCE Exam Critical Requirements for International Students

Taking the PCE is only half the battle. You must also apply for the official recognition of your high school diploma (Homologación) through the Spanish Ministry of Education. 

UNEDasiss will allow you to sit the exams if you show your “Volante de Solicitud” (the proof that you’ve started the application), but they won’t issue your final University Access Grade until this process is underway. Start this at least 3 months before the exam!

Learn more about how to register in our Step-by-Step Guide to the PCE Specific Competency Test.

Who Should Take the EBAU Exam?

The EBAU is mandatory for students completing their Bachillerato inside the Spanish school system.

You should only take the EBAU Exam if you are currently studying your final year of high school physically in Spain, under the Spanish curriculum (Bachillerato).

• Rigid Structure: The EBAU is not flexible. It consists of a mandatory “General Phase” (4 exams: Spanish Language, History of Spain, Foreign Language, and a Core Subject) plus a “Voluntary Phase.”
• Location Restriction: The EBAU must be taken physically in Spain, at the specific public university assigned to your high school.
• The Trap for Foreigners: Sometimes international schools in Spain offer the IB (International Baccalaureate). If you study the IB, you are generally treated as an international student (PCE/UNED path), not a local EBAU student, unless your school has a specific dual-recognition agreement.

Finding the right pathway depends entirely on your high school diploma and where you completed your studies.

Do EU Students Need to Take the PCE or EBAU?

Table: Quick Decision Guide: Which one are you?

	Current Situation	Pathway
Option A	I am finishing high school in Spain with a Spanish diploma	Take the EBAU
Option B	I have a diploma from the USA, UK, or any non-EU country	Take the PCE (4-6 subjects)
Option C	I have an EU diploma (ex: Italy, France, Germany)	UNED Accreditation + 2 PCE subjects (optional)
Option D	I have an International Baccalaureate (IB)	UNED Accreditation + 2 PCE subjects

Most EU students do not need to take the full entrance exam. They can enter directly with their home grades via the UNEDasiss Credencial.

If you are from the European Union (or a country with a reciprocity agreement like China or the UK), you have a special “Fast Track” status.

1. Direct Access: You can usually enter university using only your high school transcripts, which UNED converts to a Spanish score (up to 10 points).
2. Raising Your Grade: If you want to study a competitive degree like Medicine (which requires a 12 or 13), you do not take the full exam. You only take 2 specific subjects in the PCE exams to raise your score.
3. No EBAU: EU students almost never take the EBAU. It is unnecessary bureaucracy for them.

What is UNED and UNEDassis?

UNED stands for Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia (National University of Distance Education).

• The Institution: It is the largest public university in Spain by student population.
• The Role: While it functions as a regular university offering degrees to thousands of students (mostly online), the Spanish government has also designated it as the official regulatory body responsible for evaluating foreign educational systems.
• Think of it as: The “Gatekeeper” that has the legal authority to say if a High School Diploma from say Colombia, China, the USA, or any other country, is equivalent to a Spanish one.

What is UNEDasiss?

UNEDasiss is the specific digital platform and accreditation service created by UNED to manage university access for international students.

• The Service: It is the department you will actually interact with. You do not apply to “UNED” (the university); you apply for accreditation through “UNEDasiss” (the portal).
• The Functions: UNEDasiss handles three main tasks:
  1. Accreditation: Verifying your foreign high school transcripts.
  2. PCE Exams: Organizing and grading the Specific Competency exams.
  3. Grading: Calculating your final “University Access Grade” (0-10) and issuing the official digital certificate (Credencial) that you send to universities.

Which Entity Organizes the EBAU and PCE Exams?

The most important logistical difference is that you register for the PCE through UNED, while the EBAU is handled by local universities.

If you are an international student, your relationship is with UNEDasiss, not the university you want to attend (yet).

Feature	EBAU (Local)	PCE (International)
Target Audience	Spanish Bachillerato students	Foreign High School Graduates
Organizer	Local Public Universities (ex: UCM, UB)	UNED (National Distance University)
Location	Spain (On-campus only)	Worldwide (45+ Centers) & Spain
Structure	4 Mandatory Blocks + Electives	Flexible “A-la-carte” Selection
Registration	Through High School Secretary	Online via UNEDasiss Portal

How Much Do EBAU and PCE Exams Cost?

The PCE exam is significantly more expensive than the local EBAU, especially if you take it outside of Spain.

Budgeting for your exams is an often-overlooked step. Here is what you can expect to pay for the 2026 academic year.

Table: EBAU and PCE Exam Cost Analysis: A clear breakdown of of the financial investment required for these exams

	PCE (UNEDasiss)	EBAU (Local)
Base Fee / File Opening	~€170	Included in General Phase
Per Subject Fee	~€35	€15 – €30
International Surcharge	€90–€100	N/A (Spain only)
Total Estimated Cost	€250 – €450	€120 – €150

PCE Exam Costs (UNEDasiss) 

The price is modular, you pay for the administrative opening of your file plus a fee for each subject you sit.

• File Opening & Services: ~€170 (Includes calculation of your “Calificación de Acceso”).
• Per Subject Fee: ~€35 per exam.
• International Surcharge: If you take the exam at a UNED center outside of Spain (ex: New York, Bogota, etc.), there is an additional center fee of approximately €90–€100.
• Total Estimated Cost: Between €250 and €450, depending on location and number of subjects.

EBAU Exam Costs (Local) 

These fees are subsidized by the Autonomous Community.

• General Phase: ~€90 – €100.
• Voluntary Phase: ~€15 – €30 per additional subject.
• Total Estimated Cost: Typically around €120 – €150 for a full exam set.

When Do You Take the Exams?

Both exams follow a similar calendar, but the PCE registration window opens and closes earlier than you might expect.

If you miss the main session, you often have to wait until September (Extraordinary Session), which leaves very few university spots available.

Table 2: Comparative timeline for the 2026 university entrance exam sessions. Note that PCE dates are provisional and subject to final confirmation by UNED.

Milestone	PCE (International / UNED)	EBAU (Local / Public Uni)
Registration Window	Feb 18 – April 28, 2026 (Strict Deadline)	May 2026 (Handled by High School)
Exams (Inside Spain)	May 19–23, 2026	June 3–5, 2026
Exams (Outside Spain)	June 2–7, 2026	Not Available
Grades Published	Late June	Mid-to-Late June

Critical Note: The PCE registration deadline (April), is before the EBAU registration deadline (May). Do not wait until your local Spanish friends register, or you will be too late for the international exam.

How Does the ‘Credencial de Acceso’ Relate to These Exams?

The ‘Credencial’ is the official document that translates your foreign grades into the Spanish system; the exams just add points to it.

You cannot separate the exams from the Credencial. They work together.

• The Formula: Your Final Entry Grade (Nota de Corte) is calculated as:
  • 60% = Your High School Grade (converted to Spanish scale via Credencial).
  • 40% = Your Score on the PCE Exams.
• The Process: You cannot take the PCE exams without first opening a file with UNEDasiss to get your Credencial. It is a single administrative process.

How UNEDasiss calculates your admission score (official formula)

UNEDasiss calculates the admission score for applicants who must homologate their secondary studies as follows: Admission score = (0.2 × NMB + 4) + 0.1×M1 + 0.1×M2 + 0.1×M3 + 0.1×M4 

Where NMB = upper-secondary average (Nota Media de Bachillerato) and M1–M4 are the highest scores from up to four PCE subjects taken the same calendar year (each subject must have at least a 5 to count). 

This means the PCE can add up to 4 points (0.1×4 best M’s), while your converted school grade provides the 60% component. For full details and exceptions, see UNEDasiss FAQ.

Learn more about the full admissions timeline in our Guide to Getting into University in Spain.

FAQ: EBAU vs. PCE Tests

In Summary: PCE Exams and EBAU Exams

Choosing between the EBAU Exams and PCE Exams is the most critical logistical step in your application journey, as the wrong choice can disqualify you from university entry. 

Remember that the EBAU Exams are strictly for students completing the Spanish Baccalaureate, while the PCE Exams offer a flexible, “a-la-carte” pathway designed specifically for international students to maximize their entry grades through UNED.

By identifying your student profile early and registering for the correct test, you avoid unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure your foreign high school diploma is properly recognized in Spain.

Unsure which exam you need?

Contact Go! Go! España for a free academic assessment. We will review your transcripts and tell you exactly which test to register for.

Check out our guide to Best PCE Exam Preparation Courses to find academies that can help you pass the Specific Competency Tests.