Annual, intensive, or super-intensive. The difference isn't just the duration: each assumes a different starting point and makes different assumptions about you. Choosing the wrong option means getting bored reviewing what you already know or drowning trying to cover in five weeks what should have taken six months.
This guide helps you decide which one is right for you based on your actual situation, not based on when you feel like starting.
The three formats
| Format | What does it assume about you? | What is it for |
|---|---|---|
| Annual | You start the course and you have the whole year ahead of you. | Build the foundation and arrive with the syllabus worked out from the beginning |
| Intensive | You already have a foundation and you need to focus. | Focus your preparation in the months leading up to the exam |
| Superintensive | You have the material, all that's left is to practice it. | Five-week modular course, very practical, just before the call for applications |
The key is in the middle column. The super-intensive course isn't "the intensive course but shorter": it's something else entirely. It assumes you already know the material and focuses on turning it into an exam. If you arrive without having been given the syllabus, five weeks won't provide it.
Which one should you get based on your situation?
You are starting your second year of high school.
You're due for the annual course . It's the only format that runs parallel to the regular coursework, and it has an advantage that isn't apparent until the end: your high school GPA accounts for 60% of your university entrance grade. Working hard from September onwards not only prepares you for the university entrance exam, it also raises your GPA.
You're halfway through the course and you realize you're not going to make it.
It's your turn for the intensive course . You have a foundation, but you lack focus and exam practice, which is exactly what it covers.
You've already taken the university entrance exams and you want to improve your grade.
Super-intensive . You covered the material previously; what you need is to review it and practice with exam-style practice. You should also focus on the subjects in the specific phase, where you can earn up to 4 points.
You completed a Higher Level Vocational Training Cycle
It's usually super-intensive or intensive , depending on how much you need to complete. You gain admission with your average grade from the vocational program and only need to prepare the specific subjects that count towards your degree. There are two or three subjects, not eleven.
You've been out of the education system for a while.
Annual , even if the exam date seems far off. Recovering material that was left unfinished years ago takes longer than you'd expect.
The calculation that almost no one makes
Before choosing, count down from the exam date and see how many actual hours you have left. Not weeks: hours.
For example, if you have ten weeks left and can dedicate fifteen hours per week, you have 150 hours. Divide them among the subjects you need to study and you'll quickly see if the format you were thinking of is realistic. Almost always, the result is that there's less time than you thought.
If there aren't enough hours, there are two honest solutions: reduce the number of subjects in the specific phase and do them well, or change the exam session. What doesn't work is sticking to the plan and hoping to cram at the end.
What changes in 2027
Two new developments that directly affect this decision.
The regular application period has been brought forward by a week. In Catalonia, it will be on June 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2027, whereas in 2026 it was on the 9th, 10th, and 11th. You have one week less than the previous year, and this is especially noticeable in the short-form courses.
The resit period has been moved from September to July. The extraordinary session will be held on July 6, 7, and 8, 2027. Until now, those who failed in June had the entire summer to prepare for September. That's over: there are now five weeks between exam sessions, and part of that time is spent waiting for the results.
The practical consequence is important when choosing a course: you can no longer rely on the resit as a relaxed backup plan . If you think you'll need it, your preparation must be done before June.
Three mistakes when choosing
- Choosing based on price without considering the starting point. A super-intensive course is cheaper than a year-long course, but if you arrive without study materials, it's money wasted.
- Sign up for all possible subjects. In the specific phase, only the two best ones count. Preparing five half-heartedly is less effective than preparing three well.
- Decide without looking at the weights. Before choosing which subjects to study, check the weighting of each one for your desired degree. A subject with a weighting of 0,1 will give you half the credit of one with a weighting of 0,2, with the same effort.
You can see the dates, times and prices of each format on the Selectividad PAU/EBAU course pages.
FAQ
What is the difference between intensive and super-intensive?
The intensive course focuses preparation in the preceding months and assumes you have a foundation. The super-intensive course consists of five weeks of modular work and assumes you already know the syllabus: it focuses on practicing it in an exam format.
Can I prepare for the university entrance exams in five weeks?
If you've covered the material and all that's left is practice, then yes. If you're starting from scratch or have significant gaps in your knowledge, then no.
Which course is right for me if I have a vocational training background?
It's usually one of the short formats, because you only need to prepare the subjects of the specific phase that count towards your degree, not the entire syllabus.
Is the year-long course worth it if I'm doing well in high school?
You might deserve it, because your high school GPA accounts for 60% of your university entrance grade. Improving that GPA has an effect that you can't get back later.
When are the 2027 university entrance exams?
The ordinary session is on June 1, 2 and 3, 2027. The extraordinary session is on July 6, 7 and 8.
Can I change courses if I see that it doesn't fit?
It's best to ask before you enroll. The important thing is to find out early: the later you change, the less time you have left.
