If you are a foreign student and would like to study at a university in Spain, you can do so once you have taken and passed the specific competency tests. After passing these tests, you will be able to enroll in any university in Spain you wish. In this article, we will explain in detail what these competency tests entail and why they are so important.
What is the Specific Competency Test (PCE) in Spain?
The Specific Competency Tests (PCE) are exams that all foreign students who wish to study at a university in Spain must take. The PCE exams are conducted by the National Distance Education University (UNED), which is also responsible for reviewing all academic records of foreign students who are going to take the PCE exams.
These exams can be taken at UNED locations in Spain or at their overseas locations in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. Finally, the UNED PCE exams can be taken in two sessions: the regular session held between May and June, and the extraordinary session held in September.
Registration for taking the Specific Competency Tests
To be able to take the PCE exams, the first thing you must do is register on the UNED website, which you can do in two ways:
- If you are already a UNED student, you only need to log in with your username and password.
- If you are not a UNED student, you will need to register on the platform and request a username and password. Once registered, the second step you will need to take is to create a new application, and you will be given two options for how you want to do it: Through a manager or individually.
The third thing you will need to do is choose the service you need from UNED, and you will have to choose from these services:
- Admission Assessment for Spanish Universities.
- Baccalaureate Modality.
- Specific Competency Tests.
- Language Accreditation.
- Subject Recognition.
- The fourth step you will need to take once you have chosen the service you need is to provide the documents they ask for in order to carry out the service you need.
The fifth step you will need to take once you have submitted all the necessary documentation is to pay the fees and submit the payment receipt.
What documents do I need to provide to take the Specific Competency Tests?
The documents required to take the UNED PCE exams will depend on the student’s country of origin, the agreements that Spain has with that country, and the student’s previous studies.
Documents that students from the EU have to submit
These are the documents that students from the European Union or countries with which Spain has signed a reciprocity agreement must submit:
- Document confirming access to university in their country of origin.
- Academic records from the last two pre-university courses.
Documents that students not belonging to the EU have to provide
These are the documents that all students who do not belong to the European Union or whose countries do not have a reciprocity agreement with Spain must provide:
- Copies of academic records from the last two courses, properly legalized.
- Document confirming the homologation of studies completed with the Spanish baccalaureate.
- In case the documents are not in Spanish, they must be presented translated correctly into Spanish.
What is the difference between Specific Competency Tests (PCE) and EBAU?
The main difference between Specific Competency Tests (PCE) and EBAU is that in PCE, the maximum number of exams is 4, while in EBAU, the maximum number of exams is 6.
How are Specific Competency Test (PCE) exams conducted in Spain?
Each subject in the Specific Competency Test exams has different characteristics. While all exams have a maximum duration of 90 minutes, the structure varies. Exams may include essay questions, multiple-choice questions, and text or drawing analyses.
Where are Specific Competency Test (PCE) exams conducted?
As mentioned earlier, PCE exams can be taken at all examination centers established by UNED in Spain and abroad. The complete list of centers where you can take the Specific Competency Test exams will be provided once you have submitted the application.
Marta Palacios Cuesta is the founder and principal consultant of Es Abogado Extranjería, a law firm specializing in immigration law in Madrid and Seville. With an impressive academic background, Marta offers expert advice on immigration procedures, residency processes and obtaining Spanish nationality. Committed to providing personalized and up-to-date solutions, her firm stands out for its detailed and professional approach. If you need legal guidance regarding your status in Spain, contact Marta for a personalized consultation at Es Abogado Extranjería.