PCE Exams in Spanish History

This subject is included in any itinerary since it is one of the general core subjects that the student can take regardless of the modality of Sciences, Social Sciences or Humanities. So if you choose it instead of Spanish or English, it can be used to access any university degree (Medicine, International Relations, Design...).

It is a dense subject, it has great content and sociopolitical concepts that must be acquired. But despite all this, it is very interesting because you will see the political and socioeconomic progression of the country, the most relevant events, wars, monarchies, invasions, conquests, etc... that have made Spain the country it is now.

Last call data (2024)

• Pass percentage: 15,43% (see approvals of all subjects)
• Average grade of those approved: 6,55
• Exam type: Test + Text commentary
• Difficulty of the subject: High
• Exam difficulty: High

History of Spain Syllabus

1. The Iberian Peninsula from the first humans to the disappearance of the Visigothic monarchy (711).
2. The Middle Ages: Three cultures and a constantly changing political map (711-1474).
3. The formation of the Hispanic Monarchy and its global expansion (1474-1700).
4. Spain in the French orbit: the reformism of the first Bourbons (1700-1788).
5. The crisis of the Old Regime (1788-1833): Liberalism versus Absolutism.
6. The conflictive construction of the Liberal State (1833-1874).
7. The Bourbon Restoration: implementation and consolidation of a new Political System (1874-1902).
8. Survival and economic transformations in the 19th century: insufficient development.
9. The crisis of the Restoration System and the fall of the Monarchy (1902-1931).
10. The Second Republic. The Civil War in a context of International Crisis (1931-1939).
11. The Franco Dictatorship (1939-1975).
12. Democratic Normalization of Spain and Integration in Europe (since 1975)

Most frequently asked questions

As the subject syllabus is so extensive, questions relating to all topics are usually asked and it is difficult for them to ask the same thing twice. Even so, We can highlight that topics referring to the 19th and 20th centuries always enter into long or development questions., as well as the practical (text comment), so they are essential. Among them, the Spanish War of Independence, the reign of Isabel II, the Bourbon Restoration, the dictatorship of Primo de Rivera, the Civil War during the Second Republic or the changes that occurred in Spain due to the Franco dictatorship, are essential.

How is the Spanish History exam structured at the Spanish National Electoral College (PCE)?

• 1 part. An 8-question test, from which 6 questions must be chosen. Three possible answers, only one of which is correct. Correct answers add 0.5 points; incorrect answers subtract 0.2 points.
• 2 part. Develop one of two possible topics, one from the 2th century and one from the XNUMXth century. The length is unlimited (a minimum of two pages is expected). Chronological and spatial expression, motives, causes and effects, synthesis, and expository organization are valued. You are asked to explain, not simply expound.
• 3 part. Two possible commentaries are given, one from the 50th century and one from the XNUMXth century. Choose one commentary and provide a reasoned explanation of the text type and summarize the ideas. Locate the text, its author, and its importance. Maximum of XNUMX lines.

Tricks and tips

• If you've never studied this subject before, you'll probably find it difficult at first. But don't give up; it's more interesting than it seems. In some cases, such as Madrid or Valencia, it isn't mandatory, but in other regions and universities it is. Weigh this up and consider the best option based on your interests.
• If you see that this subject is going to be complicated, change it to History of Philosophy.
• The fact that it's the subject with the highest failure rate shouldn't mislead you. The exam is easier than the actual subject itself. The problem is that for many, this subject is new, and memorizing dates can be a challenge. Far from it, you can look at exams from previous years to assess your level.
• Since this is a subject that alternates between causes and consequences, it's best to approach it like a novel or movie, with characters acting for or against the event in question.
• Always make a timeline of events; it will help you pinpoint a date and see what happened before and what will happen next.
• Watch documentaries; they'll help you solidify the content, making it much more enjoyable and entertaining.
• Make summaries or outlines. Since the topics are so long, it's important to focus on the most relevant topics when studying.
• Be careful with multiple-choice questions. They may seem like the easiest part of the exam, but they're actually quite the opposite. They often ask very specific questions about historical moments. It's a good idea to look at previous exams.
• Practice text commentary. It can be based on any historical circumstance, including constitutions, so first understand the topic and then address any of them. Follow the instructions and complete as many as you can.
• Pay attention to your writing. A good statement of facts is essential for the teacher to see that you understand the topic.

Resources for the History of Spain PCE

• See Model History of Spain PCE 2026 (If you want to see more models and request the resolution, click here) here)
• Free notes
• Level test