If you are in the 2nd year of the Bachillerato, the PAU (EBAU or Selectividad, as we have always known it) is surely causing you doubts and worries. What if I told you that here you have all the information explained clearly and directly? Read on and find out everything you need to know to succeed in the PAU 2024/2025.

The basics: here's what the PAU will be like this year

The PAU continues to be divided into two parts: the first part, the compulsory phase (which you have to do) and the voluntary phase (to get a higher mark and get into the degree course you want). But be careful, there are important news.

Compulsory phase: The one you have to do it or not

Here you take 4 subjects and you need to get at least a 4 average to pass the phase. These are the subjects:

• Spanish Language and Literature
• Foreign Language (you can only take the exams for the language you have studied at school)
• History of Spain or History of Philosophy (Now you can choose! This is a major change this year).
• Subject according to your baccalaureate modality:
  • Science: Mathematics II
  • Social Sciences: Mathematics Applied to SSCs
  • Humanities: Latin
  • Arts: Fundamentals of Art

IMPORTANT: If you pass the modality subject, the grade is weighted twice, that is, both in the compulsory and voluntary phases, but remember! As long as it is in the weighting tables for the university course you want to do.

Voluntary phase: raise your grade like a pro

If you want to enter the career of your dreams, this is where you can score extra points. You can apply for up to 3 subjects and a fourth only if it is a foreign language (this is new this year!).

Key points:

• You can take any subject, even if you have not taken it before. If you want to take Dibujo Técnico without having taken it in Bachillerato, you can do so.
• The 2 best marks are taken into account (provided they are 5 or more).
• Each subject can add up to 2 points if it weights the maximum (0.2).

Example: If you get a 7 in a subject and it is weighted 0.2, you will add 1.4 extra points to your final mark.

How to calculate your access score

Your university entrance exam results from this formula:

(60% Baccalaureate mark) + (40% Compulsory Phase of the PAU) + (Best marks of the Voluntary Phase)

That is, if you got an 8 in Bachillerato and a 7 in the compulsory phase of the PAU:

(8 x 0.6) + (7 x 0.4) = 7.6

If you also have two subjects in the voluntary phase that add up to 2 points each, your final mark would be 7,6 + 4 = 11,6A noton!

What if I want to repeat or improve my grade?

• The note from the compulsory phase is kept forever.
• That of the voluntary phase the year you take your exams and the TWO FOLLOWING.
• If you want to improve your grade, you can introduce yourself again as many times as you want.

Final tips on how to do well in the PAU

• See the weightings of each degree course to make the right choice of subjects for the voluntary phase.
• Organise a study schedule and avoid leaving everything to the last month.
• Do drills with exams from previous years.
• Take care of the spelling and presentationwhich counts now more than ever.
• Sleep well. Being rested is the key to better performance.

So much for everything you need to know about the PAU 2024/2025! Now that you know the rules of the game, it's time to get down to work.