Spelling Errors Now Costly in Spain's University Entrance Exam

Spain's University Entrance Exam Gets Stricter: Spelling Mistakes to Reduce Grades by Up to 10% The 2025 University Entrance Exam (PAU) in Spain will see a significant change this year: spelling mistakes will now lead to a reduction in the final grade by up to 10%. This new rule, announced recently, has sparked discussions among students and educators alike. The increase in grammatical errors in student writing, largely attributed to the prevalence of informal language on social media, is the driving force behind this change. "Una tilde que se escapa, una H que se olvida, una B que se confunde con una V...", explains Alba Larreina, a reporter for Cuatro, illustrating common errors. This highlights the everyday challenges students face in maintaining proper spelling and grammar in their academic writing. Ruth Peña, a Spanish Language teacher, adds, "Para muchos, evidentemente en su nota de corte va a ser muy decisivo, de 10 es un 20%, entonces es mucho." This quote underscores the significant impact even minor spelling errors will have on students' final grades. The video also includes interviews with students who share their strategies for coping with the new rules, emphasizing the importance of careful proofreading and the use of synonyms to avoid potentially costly errors. This shows a proactive approach by students adapting to the new assessment criteria. The change promises to promote better writing skills among students and increase the emphasis on correct grammar and spelling in higher education.