100+ Free CELA (UNAM) Practice Questions

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Question 1

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Escucha los tres mini-monólogos y decide cuál corresponde a: 'Esta persona está insatisfecha con su situación laboral actual.' [Transcript] Hablante 1: 'Llevo cinco años en la misma empresa y me siento muy cómodo. El ambiente es bueno y hay estabilidad.' Hablante 2: 'Trabajo mucho pero el sueldo no refleja para nada el esfuerzo que pongo. Estoy buscando otra cosa.' Hablante 3: 'Acabo de empezar en un nuevo puesto y todavía me estoy adaptando. No sé cómo me irá, pero tengo buenas expectativas.'

Hablante 1

Hablante 2

Hablante 1 y Hablante 3

Hablante 3

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: CELA (UNAM) Exam

CELA by UNAM is Mexico's official Spanish proficiency certificate, scoring one integrated exam into CEFR levels (A2–C2) rather than pass/fail — it covers reading, listening, grammar, vocabulary, writing, and speaking with a Mexican Spanish focus.

Sample CELA (UNAM) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your CELA (UNAM) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Lee el siguiente aviso y responde la pregunta. 'El Museo de Antropología estará cerrado el próximo lunes por trabajos de mantenimiento. La entrada al museo es gratuita los domingos para residentes en México. Los martes la entrada cuesta 85 pesos para el público en general.' What does the notice say about Sunday admission?

A.It costs 85 pesos for all visitors

B.It is free for people who live in Mexico

C.It is free for children under 12 only

D.It requires an advance reservation

Explanation: The notice states 'La entrada al museo es gratuita los domingos para residentes en México' — admission is free on Sundays for residents of Mexico. This is a key A2-level reading skill: locating specific information in a short notice.

2Lee el siguiente anuncio y responde la pregunta. 'Se busca asistente administrativo con experiencia en manejo de redes sociales y conocimiento básico de inglés. Jornada de lunes a viernes, 9:00–17:00. Sueldo negociable. Enviar currículum a recursos@empresa.com.mx antes del 30 de junio.' What should applicants do to apply for this position?

A.Call the company phone number before June 30

B.Send their résumé to a specific email address before June 30

C.Deliver their documents in person during office hours

D.Fill in an online application form on the company website

Explanation: The announcement instructs candidates to 'Enviar currículum a recursos@empresa.com.mx antes del 30 de junio' — send their résumé to the email address before June 30. Identifying action instructions is a key A2–B1 reading task.

3Lee el siguiente texto y elige la mejor respuesta. 'La Ciudad de México tiene una de las redes de metro más grandes de América Latina, con más de 200 estaciones y 12 líneas que transportan a millones de personas diariamente. A pesar de su eficiencia, el sistema enfrenta retos importantes como la sobrepoblación en horas pico y la necesidad urgente de modernización de sus instalaciones más antiguas.' According to the text, what challenge does the Mexico City Metro face?

A.It does not have enough lines to connect all parts of the city

B.It only operates during peak hours on weekdays

C.It is overcrowded during rush hours and some facilities need updating

D.It is more expensive than bus transport in the city

Explanation: The text mentions 'sobrepoblación en horas pico' (overcrowding during peak hours) and 'necesidad urgente de modernización de sus instalaciones más antiguas' (urgent need to modernize its oldest facilities) as the key challenges faced by the system.

4Lee los tres textos cortos y decide cuál corresponde a la descripción: 'Esta persona usa el transporte público para ir al trabajo.' Texto A: 'Todos los días manejo hasta la oficina porque el metro me queda muy lejos de casa.' Texto B: 'Tomo el metro en Insurgentes y llego al trabajo en veinte minutos.' Texto C: 'Trabajo desde casa tres días a la semana y los otros dos voy en bicicleta.'

A.Texto A

B.Texto B

C.Texto C

D.Texto A y Texto C

Explanation: Text B says 'Tomo el metro en Insurgentes y llego al trabajo en veinte minutos' — this person takes the metro (public transport) to work, which directly matches the description. 'Tomar el metro' is a common Mexican Spanish expression for using the subway.

5Lee los tres textos cortos y decide cuál corresponde a la descripción: 'Esta persona tiene una opinión negativa sobre las redes sociales.' Texto A: 'Me parece que las redes sociales son una herramienta increíble para estar en contacto con amigos de todo el mundo.' Texto B: 'Creo que las redes sociales fomentan la comparación constante y generan ansiedad, sobre todo en los jóvenes.' Texto C: 'Uso las redes sociales principalmente para promover mi negocio; no tengo una opinión fuerte al respecto.'

A.Texto A

B.Texto B

C.Texto C

D.Ninguno de los textos

Explanation: Text B expresses a negative opinion, stating that social media 'fomentan la comparación constante y generan ansiedad' (promote constant comparison and generate anxiety, especially in young people). This clearly matches 'negative opinion about social media.'

6Lee el siguiente texto y responde la pregunta. 'La gastronomía mexicana fue declarada Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial de la Humanidad por la UNESCO en 2010. Este reconocimiento destaca no solo la riqueza de los sabores y las técnicas culinarias tradicionales, sino también el papel central que la comida desempeña en las festividades, rituales y vida cotidiana de las comunidades indígenas y mestizas de México.' What reason does the text give for UNESCO's recognition of Mexican cuisine?

A.Mexican food is the most exported cuisine in the world

B.Mexican cuisine has over 500 distinct regional dishes

C.It reflects both culinary richness and an important cultural role in communities

D.Mexican chefs have won international awards for their techniques

Explanation: The text explains that the recognition highlights 'la riqueza de los sabores y las técnicas culinarias tradicionales' (richness of flavors and traditional techniques) AND the central role food plays in festivals, rituals, and daily life of Mexican communities — both dimensions are given as the reason.

7Lee el texto y decide si las afirmaciones son verdaderas (V), falsas (F) o no se mencionan (NM). 'La UNAM es la universidad pública más grande de México y una de las más prestigiosas de América Latina. Fundada en 1910, ofrece más de 100 programas de licenciatura distribuidos en distintas facultades. Su campus principal, Ciudad Universitaria, es reconocido como Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO desde 2007.' Afirmación: El campus principal de la UNAM recibió reconocimiento de la UNESCO en 2007.

A.Verdadera

B.Falsa

C.No se menciona

D.El texto no aclara la fecha

Explanation: The text explicitly states that Ciudad Universitaria (UNAM's main campus) is 'reconocido como Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO desde 2007' — recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007. The statement is true.

8Lee el texto y decide si la afirmación es verdadera, falsa o no se menciona. 'La UNAM es la universidad pública más grande de México y una de las más prestigiosas de América Latina. Fundada en 1910, ofrece más de 100 programas de licenciatura distribuidos en distintas facultades. Su campus principal, Ciudad Universitaria, es reconocido como Patrimonio de la Humanidad por la UNESCO desde 2007.' Afirmación: La UNAM cobra cuotas de matrícula elevadas a todos los estudiantes.

A.Verdadera

B.Falsa

C.No se menciona

D.El texto implica que sí cobra cuotas

Explanation: The text does not mention tuition fees at all. It describes UNAM's size, founding date, programs, and UNESCO recognition — but says nothing about fees. Therefore, the statement 'No se menciona' (not mentioned) is correct.

9Lee el artículo y responde la pregunta. 'El Día de Muertos es una festividad mexicana de gran profundidad cultural que se celebra los días 1 y 2 de noviembre. Lejos de ser una ocasión triste, es una celebración alegre en la que las familias recuerdan a sus seres queridos que ya no están. Las ofrendas incluyen fotografías, comida favorita del difunto, flores de cempasúchil y velas. En 2008, la UNESCO la reconoció como Patrimonio Cultural Inmaterial de la Humanidad.' According to the text, what is the general mood of Día de Muertos?

A.Solemn and deeply mourning

B.Joyful and celebratory despite honoring the dead

C.Frightening, especially for children

D.Controversial and misunderstood abroad

Explanation: The text explicitly states it is 'una celebración alegre' (a joyful celebration) where families remember loved ones — 'Lejos de ser una ocasión triste' (far from being a sad occasion). The mood is celebratory, not mournful.

10Lee los tres textos y localiza cuál de ellos menciona un beneficio económico. Texto A: 'La energía solar reduce las emisiones de dióxido de carbono y disminuye la dependencia de los combustibles fósiles.' Texto B: 'Instalar paneles solares puede reducir significativamente el costo mensual de la factura eléctrica.' Texto C: 'Los paneles solares modernos tienen una vida útil de entre 25 y 30 años y requieren muy poco mantenimiento.'

A.Texto A

B.Texto B

C.Texto C

D.Texto A y Texto C

Explanation: Text B mentions that installing solar panels 'puede reducir significativamente el costo mensual de la factura eléctrica' — reducing monthly electricity bills is a clear economic (financial) benefit. Text A mentions environmental benefits; Text C mentions longevity.

About the CELA (UNAM) Exam

The CELA (Certificación de Español como Lengua Adicional) is Mexico's official Spanish proficiency certification, administered by the Centro de Enseñanza para Extranjeros (CEPE) of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). Unlike level-specific exams such as the DELE, the CELA is a single integrated test that scores candidates across the CEFR spectrum from A2 to C2, reporting the level attained rather than a pass/fail result. The exam covers three core competencies: Reading Comprehension (~30 items), Listening Comprehension (~25 items), and Competencia Lingüística (grammar and vocabulary, ~35–45 items), totalling approximately 90 receptive MCQ questions. Writing and oral production are assessed in separate components. The CELA uses Mexican Spanish vocabulary, syntax, and cultural references, making it particularly relevant for learners of Mexican or Latin American Spanish. It is recognized by Mexican universities, employers, and immigration authorities as evidence of Spanish proficiency.

Questions

90 scored questions

Time Limit

Approximately 2.5–3 hours for receptive and linguistic competence sections; productive skills (writing + speaking) assessed separately.

Passing Score

No single pass/fail cutoff. The exam is scored holistically into a CEFR level: Básico (approx. A2–B1), Intermedio (approx. B1–B2), or Avanzado (approx. B2–C2). The certificate reports the level attained.

Exam Fee

Approximately 1,500–2,500 MXN for in-Mexico sittings (2026); fees vary by country and application type. Contact CEPE UNAM directly for current rates. (CEPE — Centro de Enseñanza para Extranjeros, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).)

CELA (UNAM) Exam Content Outline

~33%

Reading Comprehension

Approximately 30 multiple-choice questions on short notices, extended articles, and multi-text comparisons. Topics include everyday life, culture, education, and society in Mexico and the Spanish-speaking world. Items range from locating explicit information (A2) to inferring implied meaning and evaluating authorial stance (C1–C2).

~28%

Listening Comprehension

Approximately 25 multiple-choice questions based on monologues, conversations, and formal presentations. Tasks assess comprehension of gist, specific details, and speaker attitude. Audio texts reflect everyday and professional Mexican Spanish; recordings are typically played twice.

~39%

Competencia Lingüística (Grammar and Vocabulary)

Approximately 35–45 items testing grammatical accuracy and lexical range. Grammar items cover indicative vs. subjunctive mood, verb aspect (preterite vs. imperfect vs. perfect), ser/estar, prepositions, and complex sentence structures. Vocabulary items test synonyms, collocations, and Mexican Spanish lexicon from A2 everyday terms to C2 academic and professional registers.

How to Pass the CELA (UNAM) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: No single pass/fail cutoff. The exam is scored holistically into a CEFR level: Básico (approx. A2–B1), Intermedio (approx. B1–B2), or Avanzado (approx. B2–C2). The certificate reports the level attained.
Exam length: 90 questions
Time limit: Approximately 2.5–3 hours for receptive and linguistic competence sections; productive skills (writing + speaking) assessed separately.
Exam fee: Approximately 1,500–2,500 MXN for in-Mexico sittings (2026); fees vary by country and application type. Contact CEPE UNAM directly for current rates.

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

CELA (UNAM) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Download CEPE UNAM's official CELA sample materials from cepe.unam.mx to understand the exact item types, text genres, and audio styles used on the real exam before beginning practice.

2For Competencia Lingüística, master the subjunctive in noun, adjective, and adverb clauses — the indicative vs. subjunctive contrast is the single most frequently tested grammar point across B1–C2 levels.

3Practise with Mexican Spanish media: UNAM's Radio UNAM podcasts, El Universal newspaper, and Canal Once documentaries expose you to the accents, vocabulary, and cultural references that appear in CELA listening and reading passages.

4For reading at C1–C2 level, practise identifying the author's implicit stance and distinguishing fact from opinion — the higher-level reading tasks on the CELA go well beyond literal comprehension.

5Build your lexical range by studying common Mexican Spanish collocations and false cognates (e.g., 'ahorita,' 'mero,' 'padre' in informal speech) alongside academic and professional register vocabulary for the upper CEFR bands.

6Use the exam's level-diagnostic nature strategically: aim to answer every item correctly rather than targeting a specific level cutoff, since the scoring algorithm places you based on the full difficulty distribution of items you answer correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CELA and who administers it?

The CELA (Certificación de Español como Lengua Adicional) is Mexico's official Spanish proficiency certification, administered by CEPE — the Centro de Enseñanza para Extranjeros of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM). It certifies Spanish proficiency at CEFR levels A2 through C2.

How does the CELA differ from the DELE exam?

Unlike the DELE, which is a level-specific pass/fail exam from Spain, the CELA is a single integrated exam that places candidates on the CEFR scale (A2–C2) rather than granting a pass or fail. It uses Mexican Spanish references and is administered by Mexico's UNAM rather than Spain's Instituto Cervantes.

What sections does the CELA exam cover?

The CELA covers Reading Comprehension (~30 MCQ items), Listening Comprehension (~25 MCQ items), and Competencia Lingüística — grammar and vocabulary (~35–45 MCQ items), for a total of approximately 90 receptive-section questions. Writing and oral production components are assessed separately.

What CEFR level will my CELA certificate show?

The CELA scores into three broad bands reported on the certificate: Básico (approximately A2–B1), Intermedio (approximately B1–B2), and Avanzado (approximately B2–C2). The specific level is determined by your total performance across all sections.

How much does the CELA exam cost in 2026?

Fees are approximately 1,500–2,500 MXN for in-Mexico sittings and vary by country and application type. Contact CEPE UNAM directly at cepe.unam.mx for the current 2026 fee schedule and registration deadlines.

Does this practice set cover the full CELA exam?

This free practice set includes 100 MCQ questions covering all three receptive competencies: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, and grammar/vocabulary — spanning A2 through C2 difficulty. Writing and speaking tasks are not MCQ and are not included here. The official CELA has approximately 90 receptive MCQ items.