What are adaptations in PCE exams?
The PCE, organized by UNEDasiss, They allow international students to access Spanish universities. To guarantee equal opportunities, UNED offers to adapt exam conditions for those who need it due to disability or special educational needs. These adaptations are managed by UNITIS (UNED Center for Attention to People with Disabilities) and may include additional time, use of technical means, changes in the format of the exam or other measures depending on each case.
Who can apply?
All students enrolled in the PCE who can prove a recognized disability through an official Technical Faculty Report, or specific educational support needs (NEAE) supported by an updated medical or psychopedagogical report, can request adaptations. Failure to submit the application within the indicated period means that you will not be able to take advantage of special exam conditions in that call.
Deadlines for 2026
- May/June call for applications: deadline April 16, 2026.
- September call for applications: deadline July 14, 2026.
- Applications submitted outside of these dates will not be processed. Accommodations cannot be applied retroactively or at the time of the exam without prior authorization from UNIDIS.
What specific accommodations can you get for the PCE exams?
Once UNIDIS approves your request, the authorized accommodations will be implemented on the day of the exam. The official catalog of accommodations for the 2025-2026 PCE and EBAU exams includes 13 different categories, each with multiple subcategories. These are all the possibilities:
1. Braille exam. The Teaching Team sends the exam in Braille format along with an ink copy of the original.
2. Examination on other digital media. The exam can be submitted in Word or TXT format, depending on the programs and devices the student uses. It is also possible to receive the regular exam on paper.
3. Exam with expanded text. The teaching team adjusts the font size of the instructions. The available options range from 14pt Arial to 24pt Arial bold, according to each student's visual needs.
4. Adaptation of graphic representations. The graphics, tables and images in the exam may be replaced, removed, enlarged (one image per A4 sheet) or accompanied by a text description, as deemed feasible by the Teaching Team.
5. Adaptation of the time or format of the exam. In exceptional circumstances, and only if the instructor deems it feasible, an essay exam may be converted into a multiple-choice or short-answer format, and vice versa. It is also possible to receive an exam adapted to the available time, but only for two-hour exams.
6. Answer the exam on a different medium. The student can respond using assistive technology in Braille or print, with a computer, in audio format, or with enlarged space for answers. The use of lined paper is also permitted.
7. Companion during the exam. The presence of a support person may be authorized to read the questions, write the answers, complete the optical reading sheet, assist in handling the permitted materials, attend to personal care needs, act as a sign language interpreter, or accompany the candidate with a guide dog. At the discretion of the panel, some of these functions may be assumed by a member of the panel itself.
8. Technical aids or adapted material provided by the student. The student may bring their own devices: flexible lamp, lectern, magnifying glass, Perkins Brailler, Braille Talking, adapted software (such as JAWS, ZoomText or Magic), special peripherals (keyboard, mouse), audio recorder, FM equipment, headphones, graphics tablet, footrest and other material authorized by the Teaching Team (dictionary, guide or program of the subject, etc.).
9. Accessibility to the center. Physical access facilities can be requested at the examination center: adapted service, elevator, ramps or lifts and adapted parking, depending on what each Associated Center can offer.
10. Adapted furniture and equipment provided by the Associated Centre. The center can provide the student with wheelchair-accessible tables, larger tables, left-handed tables, special chairs, lined paper, an audio recorder, information access devices (digital whiteboard, graphics tablet, etc.) and CD recording support.
11. Different location for taking the exam. The student may take the exam in a separate room (individual or shared with other students with accommodations), in a comfortable location within the general classroom, near the tribunal, near the exit, or before a different tribunal than the one that would correspond to him by default.
12. IT support provided by the Associated Centre. The center may provide a computer (with or without adapted software), printer, or microphone with audio recording software. In these cases, the student will not be able to use their own laptop.
13. Support from the examining boardThe examination board may assist the student with reading questions, writing answers or outlines, completing the optical character recognition (OCR) sheet, handling permitted materials, changing positions or going to the restroom, and communicating notices directly and individually. The board may also extend the exam time by 30 minutes, but only for exams lasting less than two hours.
Keep in mind: Not all accommodations are granted automatically. Some require a technical assessment by UNIDIS, approval from the Teaching Team, or depend on the resources of the Associated Center where the exam is held. The final decision will detail exactly which accommodations have been authorized for each subject.
How to request them: step by step
1. Start your enrollment at UNEDasiss
Access the registration platform at unedasiss.uned.es and, when completing your accreditation and PCE application, activate the "Adaptation Configuration" section.
2. Specify the adaptations by subject
For each subject you are taking, you must indicate which adaptation(s) you require. Consult the PCE and EBAU Adaptation Chart available on the UNIDIS website for the complete catalog.
3. Gather the documentation
Prepare the documents that prove your situation. All documentation in a foreign language must be translated into Spanish by a certified translator.
4. Send the documentation to UNIDIS via registration
The documentation cannot be attached to the UNEDasiss platform. It must be sent separately by registered mail, addressed to code U02800266 – UNIDIS.
5. Wait for the resolution
UNIDIS will evaluate your application and notify you of the decision before the exams via your UNED student email address (@alumno.uned.es). The decision will specify exactly which accommodations have been approved.
6. Bring the solution to the exam
On the day of the exam, you must present the UNIDIS resolution to the examining board. Without this document, the accommodations cannot be implemented, even if they have been approved.
Required Documentation
For the PCE and EBAU exams, you must provide:
- Technical Disability Assessment Report issued by the competent body, or failing that, a recent, legible medical or psycho-pedagogical report signed by the specialist with a professional registration number.
- Psycho-pedagogical report prepared by the guidance department of the school or the autonomous community, which includes the specific educational support needs, the proposed specific adaptation and the justification that such adaptations have already been applied previously.
- All documentation must be translated into spanish through sworn translation, in accordance with the regulations for Translations, Legalizations and Certifications of UNEDasiss.
Where to send the documentation
The documentation must be sent by registered mail to UNIDIS (code U02800266) through one of these methods:
- UNED Central Registry, at C/ Bravo Murillo, 38, Madrid. Prior appointment required.
- Any Public Administration or registry assistance office.
- Post Offices that provide the Electronic Virtual Registration Service (ORVE).
- Spanish diplomatic missions or consular offices abroad.
What happens on exam day?
Students must bring their UNIDIS resolution. The examination board must be informed of any approved accommodations before the exam begins, especially those involving changes to the exam's duration, format, or medium. After the exams are completed, UNIDIS evaluates the process. Students can submit their feedback or report any issues to the technical team to help improve future exams.
Frequently asked questions about adaptations to the PCE exams
Can I add accommodations after I've submitted the request?
Yes, as long as you are within the deadline. UNIDIS may contact you to clarify or provide further information. If they require additional documentation and you do not submit it on time and in the correct format, your application will be automatically rejected.
Does this solution apply to all my subjects?
You must specify the accommodations for each subject individually. The UNIDIS resolution details the accommodations approved for each subject.
How will I receive the resolution?
The resolution is sent exclusively to the institutional email address @alumno.uned.es. It is also published in the UNEDasiss receipts section.
What happens if I request the accommodations after the deadline?
The application will not be processed and the exam must be taken under standard conditions for that call.
Do the granted adaptations count towards future calls for applications?
No. The application must be renewed each call for applications and academic year within the established deadlines.
Contact with UNIDIS
For questions about the application or any clarification, you can contact UNIDIS directly:
- Phones: 91 398 60 74/91 398 60 75
- Email: secretaria@unidis.uned.es
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 14:00 p.m.
Summary: Key points
- The deadline for the June call is April 16th and for September, July 14th.
- The request is made during the enrollment process at UNEDasiss, in the "Adaptation Configuration" section.
- The documentation is not uploaded to UNEDasiss: it is sent by registration to UNIDIS (U02800266).
- Documents in other languages require a sworn translation into Spanish.
- The resolution will be sent to your email address @alumno.uned.es. Always bring it with you on the day of the exam.
Our recommendation from Escuela PCERequest your accommodations in advance.
En Escuela PCE Each year we support students preparing for the Specific Competency Tests with very diverse needs: learning difficulties such as dyslexia or ADHD, visual or auditory disabilities, health conditions that affect concentration or writing, and other situations that require special conditions to demonstrate the real knowledge of each student.
Our experience has taught us one thing clearly: accommodations make a real difference to exam-day performance. A student who needs extra time, different support, or assistance reading questions, and doesn't request it, is at a disadvantage. Not because they lack preparation, but because the standard conditions aren't suitable for them.
Therefore, from Escuela PCE We always recommend the following:
- Request it even if you have doubts. If you have a diagnosis or report that confirms your needs, submit the application. UNIDIS evaluates each case individually and will contact you if they need more information. It's better to try than to miss out on the adaptation because you didn't request it.
- Do it as soon as possible. The deadlines are strict: April 16th for the June session and July 14th for the September session. Gathering the documents, obtaining a certified translation if necessary, and submitting them by mail takes time. Don't leave it until the last minute.
- Talk to us. If you are unsure whether your situation entitles you to accommodations, or you are unsure what type of accommodation you need, ask us. In Escuela PCE We help you understand the process, check if your documentation is sufficient, and guide you before you submit your application.
- To accompany each student from their actual starting point, Providing the necessary conditions for you to perform well is part of what we do. Accommodations are not a privilege: they are a right, and we are here to help you exercise it.
