In Colombia, the Icfes tests or Saber 11 tests are essential to access some public universities, so students seek to obtain a score of 250 or higher, which is the average expected in these exams.
However, not all universities in the country are governed by this criterion. Some educational institutions have their own entrance exam, which means that regardless of the Icfes score obtainedwhat really counts is the result on the university-specific test.
Public universities without Icfes requirement
Although in certain cases the Saber Test score is not a determining factor for admission, this does not exempt students from taking the exam at the end of high school. Among the universities that do not require a specific Icfes score and that apply their own admission exams are:
- University of Cartagena: Requires an entrance exam, regardless of whether the Icfes score is above average.
- University of Antioch: This university also requires an entrance exam, consisting of 80 questions. In addition, it has an agreement with the University of Cartagena, so both share the same entrance exam.
- National University: Accessing this university is especially challenging, given that its entrance exam is considered one of the most difficult. The areas evaluated include History, Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Geography, Biology and Philosophy.
- University of the North: Although it does not have an internal admission exam, this university does not require the Saber Test. Instead, it evaluates the student’s academic performance over the last two years of study.
Universities that consider specific competencies
At some universities, the overall score of the Saber Tests is not evaluated, but the results in the areas most relevant to the career to which the student aspires are taken into account. For example, if a student wishes to study Law, their score in Social Sciences will be considered. Universities that follow this modality include:
- Pedagogical and Technological University of Colombia
- University of Tolima
- University of Caldas
- Industrial University of Santander
Universities with limited admission quotas
Finally, there are universities that, although they do not require a minimum score on the Icfes, establish a limit on admission quotas, which means that only those with the highest scores will have a better chance of accessing. These universities are:
- Simon Bolivar University (Barranquilla – Cucuta)
- Pontifical Javeriana University
- EAFIT University
- University of Rosario
- New Granada Military University
- Francisco Jose de Caldas District University
- University of the Andes
