Free Practice Questions for ICFES Saber 11
Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.
Loading practice questions...
Explore More Latin America University Entrance Exams
Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
Key Facts: ICFES Saber 11 Exam
The ICFES Saber 11 has five tests: Lectura Critica, Matematicas, Sociales y Ciudadanas, Ciencias Naturales, and Ingles.
The standard 2026 booklet contains about 278 graded multiple-choice questions plus a socioeconomic questionnaire.
Matematicas and Ciencias Naturales have the most questions (50 and 58 respectively) in the 2026 structure.
The exam is taken in two sessions of 4 hours 30 minutes each, about 9 hours in total on one day.
Each test is scored 0-100 and the global score ranges from 0 to 500 as a weighted average.
The English test follows the Common European Framework (MCER), reporting Pre A1, A1, A2, and B1.
Saber 11 is mandatory under Colombian law and is required to obtain the high-school diploma.
ICFES set 2026 ordinary fees from COP $72,000 (public schools) up to COP $143,000 for graduates and high-tuition private schools.
Colombia's mandatory high-school exit exam: five tests (Critical Reading, Math, Social Studies & Citizenship, Natural Sciences, English), ~278 multiple-choice questions over two 4.5-hour sessions, scored 0-500.
Sample ICFES Saber 11 Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to review concepts for the ICFES Saber 11 exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1A short editorial argues that bicycle lanes reduce traffic deaths, then cites only one anecdote about a cyclist who felt safer. In ICFES Lectura Crítica terms, what is the main weakness of this argument?
2In a text, the author writes: 'The minister praised the reform, though critics call it a step backward.' What does the connector 'though' signal about the relationship between the two clauses?
3A passage states: 'For Plato, the world we perceive is only a shadow of true, eternal Forms.' Which philosophical position does this best illustrate?
4An advertisement reads: 'Real men drink Brand X coffee.' What persuasive strategy is the advertiser primarily using?
5A narrator describes events using 'I remember the day my grandmother...' Which narrative perspective is being used?
6A text claims, 'Since the new policy was introduced, crime fell, so the policy caused the drop.' What logical fallacy may this reasoning commit?
7In the sentence 'The decision was, without a doubt, the most controversial of the year,' what is the function of the phrase 'without a doubt'?
8A poem repeatedly uses the image of a 'caged bird' to describe a character's life. This is best understood as which literary device?
9Two texts discuss deforestation: one is a scientific report with statistics, the other an opinion column urging action. What is the clearest difference in their communicative purpose?
10In Lectura Crítica, the highest-level questions ask the reader mainly to do what?
About the ICFES Saber 11 Exam
The ICFES Saber 11, officially the Examen de Estado de la Educacion Media, is Colombia's mandatory national exam for students finishing 11th grade and a legal requirement to obtain the high-school diploma. It comprises five tests: Lectura Critica, Matematicas, Sociales y Ciudadanas, Ciencias Naturales, and Ingles, totaling about 278 single-answer multiple-choice questions across two 4.5-hour sessions. Each test is scored 0-100 and a weighted global score runs from 0 to 500, used heavily for university admission and scholarships such as Generacion E. The English test is aligned with the Common European Framework, reporting Pre A1, A1, A2, and B1. ICFES designs the test around competencies, favoring reasoning and contextual problem-solving over memorization. Around 500,000-640,000 students sit the exam each year.
Exam sponsor: ICFES (Instituto Colombiano para la Evaluacion de la Educacion). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.
Questions
100 questions
Time Limit
Two sessions of 4 hours 30 minutes each (about 9 hours total)
Passing Score
No pass/fail. Each of 5 tests scored 0-100; global score 0-500 (weighted average). National average ~250-260; selective programs and scholarships usually need 350+.
Exam / Certification Fees
2026 ordinary: public schools COP $72,000; private COP $72,000-$143,000 by tuition range; graduates COP $143,000.
Exam sponsor websiteFees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.
Our practice resources: topics covered
We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.
Lectura Critica
Critical reading: comprehension, interpretation, argument and evidence evaluation, bias, figurative language, and philosophical reading.
Matematicas
Mathematics: algebra and functions, geometry, statistics, probability, percentages, and data interpretation in real contexts.
Sociales y Ciudadanas
Social studies and citizenship: 1991 Constitution, Colombian history and geography, economics, institutions, and citizenship competencies.
Ciencias Naturales
Natural sciences: biology, chemistry, physics, and environmental science, with scientific method and human-environment impact.
Ingles
English aligned with the MCER (Pre A1 to B1): grammar, vocabulary in context, and reading comprehension of signs, notices, and short texts.
Preparing for the ICFES Saber 11 Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No pass/fail. Each of 5 tests scored 0-100; global score 0-500 (weighted average). National average ~250-260; selective programs and scholarships usually need 350+.
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: Two sessions of 4 hours 30 minutes each (about 9 hours total)
- Exam / certification fees: 2026 ordinary: public schools COP $72,000; private COP $72,000-$143,000 by tuition range; graduates COP $143,000. Official sources
Using Our Practice Resources
- Work through all 100 available questions
- Review every answer and explanation
- Track weak areas and revisit them
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
ICFES Saber 11: Suggested Study Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICFES Saber 11 exam?
It is Colombia's mandatory national high-school exit exam (Examen de Estado de la Educacion Media), administered by ICFES. It tests five areas and is required to graduate and to apply to universities.
How many questions are on the Saber 11 and how long is it?
The standard 2026 booklet has about 278 graded questions: Lectura Critica 41, Matematicas 50, Sociales y Ciudadanas 50, Ciencias Naturales 58, and Ingles 55, taken over two sessions of 4 hours 30 minutes each.
How is the Saber 11 scored?
There is no pass/fail. Each of the five tests is scored 0-100, and a weighted global score runs from 0 to 500. The national average is roughly 250-260; selective programs and scholarships usually require around 350 or more.
What level is the English (Ingles) test?
The English test is aligned with the Common European Framework (MCER) and reports four levels: Pre A1, A1, A2, and B1, with B1 being the highest reported level.
How much does the Saber 11 cost in 2026?
Ordinary 2026 fees range from about COP $72,000 for public schools to COP $143,000 for higher private-tuition ranges and graduates. Extraordinary (late) fees are higher.