Opening the Gates of Spanish Universities, How have their policies evolved during the democratic era?"

Abstract

The implementation of the General Education Act in 1970 triggered a series of reforms within the Spanish educational system, most notably the extension of compulsory schooling to the age of 14. This measure led to a significant increase in the proportion of individuals who could potentially gain access to higher education. It was within this context that the university entrance examination, commonly referred to as selectividad, was introduced for the first time during the 1974–1975 academic year, with the aim of serving as an academic filter for admission to a university system that was gradually adopting a more socially oriented perspective. The purpose of this study, therefore, is to analyze the historical evolution of this transition process, particularly since Spain’s democratic transition. From a methodological standpoint, this research adopts the historical method, as successfully developed by Professor Ruiz Berrio. Through the use of primary sources—particularly educational legislation—and secondary sources, the study reveals that despite the numerous changes the examination has undergone, it continues to preserve the same essential features with which it was conceived during the technocratic period of Francoism. This model, characterized by its considerable flexibility, ensures access for all individuals, with limitations based solely on their abilities, thereby fostering the democratization of university access in Spain and contributing to the overcoming of the elitist character that had previously defined it.