Selectivitat

Selectivitat is the Catalan term for the university entrance examination used in Catalonia, Spain, to access higher education. It is organized by the Department of Education of the Generalitat de Catalunya and serves as a key component in admissions to Catalan universities, and in many cases to other Spanish public universities, alongside the student’s overall Bachillerat record.

The examination assesses the student’s readiness for university study and, together with the Bachillerat average, determines eligibility and ranking for admission. The process typically includes a general phase with compulsory tests and a specific phase with optional tests that students can choose to take in order to improve their admission score. The specific phase also allows students to demonstrate strengths in subjects related to their intended degree.

Subjects in the general phase cover core areas such as language and literature, a second language, and others depending on regional guidelines. The specific phase consists of tests tied to the student’s chosen modality or areas of study, and some degree programs require certain subjects in this phase for eligibility.

Scoring combines the marks from the Bachillerat with the results of the Selectivitat. While the exact scoring rules and maximum possible points can vary by year and program, the final admission grade is used by universities to determine acceptance and, in some cases, to allocate places or scholarships. Retake opportunities are typically offered in subsequent exam sessions.

Over time, Selectivitat has evolved within the framework of Spain’s higher education reforms and the European Higher Education Area. Critics point to stress and inequality in preparation, while proponents emphasize standardization and transparency in university admissions.