Tougher Selectividad Exams Worry Spanish Students

Spain's 2025 Selectividad Exams: Increased Difficulty Sparks Student Anxiety The upcoming 2025 Selectividad university entrance exams in Spain are causing considerable anxiety among students. This year's exams will be significantly more challenging than those in recent years, due to changes in format. The changes include a reduction in optional questions and a greater focus on competency-based questions, according to several secondary school teachers and regional coordinators of the PAU (university access exams). "The Selectividad 2025 will be the most difficult in years," stated one teacher in the video. This is expected to result in lower overall scores, creating a more competitive environment for students applying to university. The increased difficulty is particularly concerning for students who took easier exams during the pandemic. One student interviewed noted, "If the grades drop significantly, it could put us at a disadvantage in getting into the most popular careers, since those who took the exams in previous years likely have higher grades." This concern highlights the potential for inequity in the new system. Despite the challenges, educators involved in creating the exams emphasize that the changes are meant to improve the assessment of students' knowledge and skills. They also assure students that the grading process will take into account the difficulties brought on by recent changes. This reassures students that the grading will be fair, despite the more difficult exam format.