Record number of students take university entrance exams amid Covid-19 safety measures

A record number of students in Catalonia are taking the university entrance exams amid unprecedented safety measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19 following a one-month delay.

The dramatic increase in coronavirus infections put the semester on hold last March. For the 39,094 students taking the ‘selectivitat’ or PAU exam marathon from Tuesday to Friday, this meant facing the most consequential exams in their lives after more than three months studying from home.

Social distancing requirements meant that universities lacked enough space to house all students taking the tests, and some high schools were required to open too.

Moreover, the traditionally 3-day long exam marathon will last an extra day.

The record number of students who signed up for selectivitat exams this year (up by 5,400) is also due to high schools being more lenient when deciding who is ready to take the exams, as not all students enjoyed the same conditions at home. 

This represented a 12.5% increase in the number of students who got their high school diploma.