Enter Your CENEVAL Score

CENEVAL Score Classification

EXANI Series (National Entrance Exams)

CENEVAL offers the EXANI (Exámenes Nacionales de Ingreso) series, which assess student readiness for admission to different educational levels:

Important Note: CENEVAL does not determine passing or failing scores. Instead, individual institutions set their own minimum admission scores based on available spaces and competitiveness.

The ICNE Scale (700-1300)

The CENEVAL Index (ICNE) uses a standardized scale from 700 to 1300 points, where 1000 represents the expected average performance. This means that approximately 50% of test-takers should score above 1000 and 50% below 1000. The scale is designed so that most scores cluster around the center (1000), with fewer scores at the extreme ends.

Three-Tier Classification System

CENEVAL uses a three-level classification system for most examinations:

Percentage Conversion Formula

To convert ICNE scores to percentages:

Example: ICNE 1150 → (1150-700)/600 × 100 = 75%

1000 = Expected Average (50% Correct)

A score of 1000 represents answering approximately 50% of questions correctly. CENEVAL designs exams so that most students should achieve this benchmark. For example, on an 80-question EXANI-I exam, answering 40 questions correctly would yield approximately 1000 points. Scores naturally cluster around 1000, with progressively fewer students achieving very high (1250+) or very low (750 or below) scores.

Institutions Set Their Own Cutoffs

CENEVAL does not establish passing scores. Instead, each educational institution determines its own minimum required ICNE score based on program competitiveness and available spaces. Highly competitive programs at prestigious universities may require 1150+ (Sobresaliente), while less competitive programs might accept students with 950-1000 (Satisfactorio). Students receive their scores from target institutions, not directly from CENEVAL.

Scores Vary by Exam Section

CENEVAL reports separate ICNE scores for different exam areas. For example, EXANI-II provides individual scores for verbal reasoning, mathematical reasoning, and each specific module. Your overall ICNE is calculated from all sections combined. Some institutions may weight certain sections more heavily or require minimum scores in specific areas (e.g., mathematics for engineering programs).

EXANI-II is Most Common

The EXANI-II (undergraduate admission exam) is the most widely administered CENEVAL test, taken by hundreds of thousands of Mexican students annually. It consists of 180 questions covering verbal reasoning, mathematical reasoning, contemporary world, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, mathematics, and Spanish. Performance on EXANI-II significantly impacts university admissions, with top institutions like UNAM and IPN using it as a primary selection criterion.

EGEL for Degree Certification

The EGEL (Exámenes Generales para El Egreso de Licenciatura) series assesses mastery of undergraduate degree competencies. Passing EGEL with Sobresaliente or Satisfactorio certification can serve as an alternative to writing a thesis for obtaining a licenciatura degree. EGEL results also appear on the cédula (professional license card), making high scores valuable for career prospects.

Retaking CENEVAL Exams

Students can retake CENEVAL examinations to improve their scores, though policies vary by institution and exam type. Some universities allow retakes after waiting periods (typically one semester or one year), while others may limit the number of attempts. Check specific institutional policies before planning to retake. Preparation courses and practice exams are widely available to help students improve scores on subsequent attempts.