Spain's University Entrance Exam Overhaul: Students Voice Concerns

Spain's New University Entrance Exam Sparks Student Concerns The 2025 University Access Test (PAU) in Spain, which began this Tuesday, has introduced significant changes that are causing anxiety among students. The new exam unifies criteria across the country and eliminates the previous option of choosing questions, replacing it with a focus on practical exercises. "This change makes it much harder to get high marks," says one student interviewed in the video. This concern stems from the fact that the scores of previous years' students are saved, creating competition for limited university places. Students fear they will be at a disadvantage compared to those who took the exam under the old system. While experts predict a drop in cutoff scores, they believe the impact will be moderate. The shift towards practical questions is intended to better assess students' analytical and reasoning skills, rather than just their ability to memorize information. The video shows students taking the new exam, highlighting the different format and increased emphasis on practical application. Despite the initial concerns, experts emphasize that the changes are intended to improve the overall fairness and effectiveness of the university entrance process. The long-term effects of this reform remain to be seen, but the initial response from students underscores the significant impact of such changes on their academic futures.