Homologation + PCE
Your school average is only the starting point
If your qualification needs homologation, Spain uses your school record and your PCE results together. This guide shows where the points come from and what to do with the number.
Your access grade
- School average
- up to 2 pts
- + 4 fixed points
- 4 pts
- + Four best PCE
- up to 4 pts
Homologation + PCE
Your school record contributes up to 2 points
To homologate your school grade, your average score contributes up to 2 points. Four passed PCE results can add up to 4 more, and weighting can add up to another 4 points to your admission grade.
Access grade
Out of 10. This is the grade used to apply.
Admission grade
Out of 14. Universities use this grade to rank applications.
- 2points
- Your school recordThe formula multiplies your homologated average by 0.2. A perfect 10 gives you 2 points. A 5 gives you 1.
- 4points
- Given to every fileA fixed number inside the formula. Everyone on this route starts with it, whatever they studied and wherever.
- 8points
- Your PCE examsFour points from your four best results, then four more from the two subjects your degree weights highest.
Your school average is already part of the result. Your PCE marks are the part you can still improve, so choose subjects that your degree weights the most.
The exam itself
What the PCE exams are
PCE exams are subject exams run by UNED for students with a foreign secondary education. You choose the subjects you take. Each is marked out of 10, and the results form the grade you use to apply for a university place.
Passing is only part of it. Each degree gives different weights to different subjects, so two students with the same marks can end up more than a point apart in their admission grade.
Who has to take the PCE
Students whose education system requires homologation to enter a Spanish university take the PCE as part of their access route.
How many subjects you need
The homologation route usually requires four passed subjects, though some universities require six. Check the requirement for your destination before you register.
How the papers are marked
Each subject is marked out of 10, and you need a 5 to pass. Marks below 5 do not count towards your access grade or for weighting.
When you can sit them
UNED holds two PCE sessions each year: an ordinary session in late spring and an extraordinary session in summer. You register through UNEDasiss, rather than the university.
Where you sit them
You can take the PCE at UNED centres in Spain or associated centres abroad. Your registration determines your exam centre, so check the list for your country before registering.
How many times you can repeat
You can retake a subject in a later session to improve your mark, and your best result counts.
A quick estimate
Estimate your Spanish admission grade
Use your homologated school average and your PCE marks to see an estimated access and admission grade. This is a planning tool, not an official conversion.
Four students, one formula
The same route can produce different results
These examples use the homologation formula and assume two PCE subjects weighted at 0.2 for the target degree. Your university may publish different weighting parameters.
Amina
Homologation + PCE · school record 9.4 / 10
- Access
- 9.1
- Admission
- 12.3
She scored 8 in four PCE subjects. Her school average contributes 1.9 points to her access grade, and two subjects weighted at 0.2 add 3.2 points.
Liam
Homologation + PCE · school record 8.0 / 10
- Access
- 9.2
- Admission
- 12.8
He scored 9 in four PCE subjects. The stronger exam marks make up for a lower school average, with two subjects weighted at 0.2.
Grace
Homologation + PCE · school record 9.4 / 10
- Access
- 7.9
- Admission
- 9.9
She scored 5 in four PCE subjects. Her school average is strong, but average exam results leave less room to raise her access and admission grades.
Noah
Homologation + PCE · school record 7.0 / 10
- Access
- 8.6
- Admission
- 11.8
He scored 8 in four PCE subjects. Stronger exam results help him reach a higher admission grade than a student with a similar school average.
What to do with this number
The exam
PCE exams explained
If four points of your access grade come from the PCE, this is where you get them. What the exams are, and which subjects are worth sitting.
Read moreThe full picture
The complete path to Spain
Your grade is one of eight steps. See where it sits between the language requirement, the homologation file and the student visa.
Read more
Six things to check before you register
Confirm your route before translating documents
Sworn translations, apostilles and consular fees add up. We check that homologation applies to your qualification before you pay for documents.
Homologation makes your qualification valid in Spain
The Ministry of Education reviews your secondary school qualification. We check the file, prepare the paperwork and help you keep track of the process.
If you need homologation, plan around the PCE
Four points of your access grade can come from your four best passed PCE results. We match your subjects to the weighting table for your degree.
Weighting parameters are published by each university
A subject may be weighted at 0.2 by one university and 0.1 by another for the same degree. We use the table for your chosen university before planning your exams.
A 6 can be more useful than a 9
The two subjects that contribute most count towards weighting, not necessarily the two with your highest marks. We show you how a 6 weighted at 0.2 adds 1.2 points, while a 9 weighted at 0.1 adds 0.9.
Check your case against the official sources
The calculations on this page are a guide, not an official decision. UNEDasiss and your chosen university make the final decision on your file.
We support you with live and recorded online classes, practice exams with feedback, and help choosing the required subjects and the ones your degree weights most.
What our Students say about Atlas
Discover the experience of students who already prepared their university entrance exams with Atlas.
See testimonials
Frequently asked questions
How does homologation affect my grade?
Homologation makes your secondary school qualification valid in Spain. If you use this route, your access grade is estimated as 0.2 × your homologated school average + 4 + 0.1 × your best passed PCE results, capped at 10. A perfect school average contributes 2 points. Up to four passed PCE results can contribute 4 more points.
What does the homologation process involve?
You submit your secondary school documents to the Spanish Ministry of Education. Depending on your country, you may need legalisation or an apostille and a sworn translation. Start early because the process can take months.
How is my admission grade calculated?
Admission grade = access grade + a × P1 + b × P2, capped at 14. P1 and P2 are the two passed PCE subjects with the greatest weighted contribution. Each university publishes its own weighting parameters, a and b, for every degree.
How many PCE subjects should I take?
Four passed PCE subjects can build your access grade and homologate your studies to access a university in Spain. Some universities ask for six subjects, so check the requirements for your destination before you register.
Which PCE subjects should I choose?
First choose enough subjects to meet your university's PCE requirement. Then prioritise subjects your target degree weights at 0.2 where possible. A 6 weighted at 0.2 adds 1.2 points, while a 9 weighted at 0.1 adds 0.9. The weighting table for your university is the best place to start.
Are the calculations on this page official?
No. This page is a planning guide based on the formula used for the homologation route. Your final conversion, required subjects and weighting depend on your file and your chosen university. Confirm them with UNEDasiss and the university before you register.
