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Key Facts: Aragón PAU History of Spain Exam

90 min

Exam Duration

UNIZAR PAU Guidelines

0–10 scale

Marking System

PAU Aragon Commission

EUR 75.00

Ordinary Registration Fee

UNIZAR PAU inscription page 2026

40%

PAU Access Weight

Spanish University Access Law

100

Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep Bank

1978

Constitution Milestone

Spanish Democratic Transition

The Aragón PAU History of Spain exam lasts 90 minutes and is marked on a 0–10 scale (minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase, combined 60/40 with Bachillerato GPA for final university access grade). The 2nd Bachillerato syllabus spans from prehistory and Roman Hispania through Al-Andalus, the Crown of Aragón, Hapsburg and Bourbon monarchies, 19th-century liberal state building, 20th-century political crises (Second Republic, Civil War, Francoism), to the 1978 Constitution and European integration. Specific Aragonese historical developments are integrated throughout.

Sample Aragón PAU History of Spain Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Aragón PAU History of Spain exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which archaeological site in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos) yielded human fossil remains dating back over 800,000 years, classified as Homo antecessor?
A.Altamira Cave
B.Gran Dolina
C.Torralba and Ambrona
D.Los Millares
Explanation: The Gran Dolina cave site within the Sierra de Atapuerca yielded fossil remains dating to around 850,000 years ago, defining the species Homo antecessor, the oldest known homenin species in Western Europe. Altamira is famous for Upper Paleolithic cave art, Torralba/Ambrona for Lower Paleolithic elephant butchering sites, and Los Millares for Copper Age fortifications.
2How did pre-Roman Iberian peoples of the Mediterranean coast differ primarily from Celtic peoples of the Iberian interior and Atlantic coast prior to Roman conquest?
A.Iberians spoke non-Indo-European languages and used writing systems, while Celts spoke Indo-European dialects and lacked writing systems.
B.Iberians practiced nomadic pastoralism while Celts lived in large urban city-states with defensive walls.
C.Celts adopted the Greek alphabet and coined money, whereas Iberians relied exclusively on livestock barter.
D.Celts maintained close maritime commercial alliances with Carthage, while Iberians were completely isolated from Mediterranean trade.
Explanation: Iberian populations along the Mediterranean coast developed an urbanized culture influenced by Phoenicians and Greeks, utilizing non-Indo-European writing systems (Iberian scripts) and coining money. Celtic groups in the interior and north spoke Indo-European languages, lived in fortified hill-forts (castros), relied more on livestock, and lacked writing before Roman contact.
3Which semi-legendary ancient kingdom located in the lower Guadalquivir valley was renowned in classical sources for its mineral wealth and trade with Phoenicians?
A.Numantia
B.Tartessos
C.Saguntum
D.Carthago Nova
Explanation: Tartessos was an ancient civilization located in southwestern Hispania (modern Andalusia and Extremadura) that flourished during the 1st millennium BCE. Rich in silver, gold, copper, and tin, Tartessians traded extensively with Phoenicians. Numantia was a Celtiberian stronghold, Saguntum an Iberian coastal town, and Carthago Nova was founded by Hasdrubal the Fair.
4Which event directly triggered Roman military intervention in the Iberian Peninsula in 218 BCE, initiating the Roman Conquest of Hispania?
A.The invasion of the Visigoths under Alaric
B.Hannibal's siege and conquest of the Roman-allied city of Saguntum
C.The rebellion of Viriathus and the Lusitanian War
D.The foundation of the colony of Caesaraugusta
Explanation: Hannibal Barca's siege and destruction of Saguntum in 219 BCE violated Roman interest spheres and led Rome to declare war on Carthage, launching the Second Punic War. Roman legions under Publius and Cnaeus Cornelius Scipio landed at Empúries (Empuriae) in 218 BCE to cut Carthaginian supply lines.
5What was the significance of the Roman colony of Caesaraugusta (modern Zaragoza) founded around 14 BCE during the reign of Augustus?
A.It served as the capital of the Visigothic Kingdom of Toledo.
B.It was established as a strategic veteran colony and urban administrative hub in the Ebro Valley.
C.It was the primary naval base for Carthaginian fleets during the First Punic War.
D.It was the site of the total defeat of Roman legions during the Cantabrian Wars.
Explanation: Caesaraugusta was founded around 14 BCE for retired Roman veterans of the Cantabrian Wars. Situated at a vital river crossing of the Ebro, it became the central administrative, economic, and judicial hub (conventus iuridicus) of northeastern Tarraconensis.
6Which Roman infrastructural development was essential for transporting agricultural goods like olive oil, wine, and wheat from Hispania Baetica and Tarraconensis to Rome?
A.The Royal Salt Roads (Salarias)
B.The Via Augusta and maritime trade routes
C.The Camino de Santiago
D.The Mesta Transhumance Corridors
Explanation: The Via Augusta was the longest Roman road in Hispania, running from the Pyrenees down the Mediterranean coast to Gades (Cádiz). Coupled with riverways like the Baetis (Guadalquivir) and Ebro and Mediterranean maritime shipping, it facilitated massive exports of olive oil (in Dressel 20 amphorae), wine, garum, and metals to Rome.
7Which Visigothic king achieved political and territorial unification of most of the Iberian Peninsula by defeating the Suebi and subjugating Cantabrian tribes in the late 6th century?
A.Pelagius (Pelayo)
B.Leovigild
C.Recared
D.Roderic
Explanation: King Leovigild (reigned 568–586) unified the Visigothic Kingdom politically and militarily by conquering the Suebic Kingdom in Gallaecia, subduing Basque and Cantabrian rebels, driving Byzantine forces back, and establishing Toledo as the permanent kingdom capital.
8What major religious milestone occurred during the Third Council of Toledo in 589 CE under King Recared?
A.The adoption of Islam as the state religion
B.The conversion of the Visigothic monarchy and nobility from Arian Christianity to Catholicism
C.The complete expulsion of Jewish communities from the Iberian Peninsula
D.The formal separation of Church and State in Visigothic legal codes
Explanation: At the Third Council of Toledo (589), King Recared publicly abjured Arianism and embraced Nicene Catholicism, bringing spiritual unity between the ruling Visigothic minority and the Hispano-Roman majority. This council inaugurated a close alliance between the Visigothic Crown and Catholic bishops.
9What was the significance of the Liber Iudiciorum (Forum Iudicum), promulgated by King Recceswinth around 654 CE?
A.It established the first military draft system for peasant levies.
B.It created a single, unified legal code applied equally to both Visigoths and Hispano-Romans.
C.It declared independence from the papacy in Rome.
D.It abolished all private land ownership in favor of crown ownership.
Explanation: The Liber Iudiciorum (Forum Iudicum or Fuero Juzgo) replaced the separate legal codes previously used by Visigoths (Breviary of Alaric / Code of Euric) and Hispano-Romans, creating a unified legal system for all subjects of the kingdom. It remained an influential legal source in medieval Spain.
10During the late Visigothic period in northeastern Hispania, how did the urban status of Caesaraugusta evolve prior to 711?
A.It was completely abandoned and converted into a unpopulated ruin.
B.It maintained its status as a fortified bishopric seat and key strategic military center guarding the Ebro.
C.It became the official imperial residence of Byzantine governors.
D.It was absorbed into the Kingdom of the Franks after the Battle of Vouillé.
Explanation: Caesaraugusta remained an important walled urban center, bishopric (home to prominent figures like Bishop Braulio of Zaragoza), and strategic fortress in the Ebro Valley under Visigothic rule. It repelled Frankish sieges (such as Childebert I's siege in 541) and served as a regional administrative stronghold.

About the Aragón PAU History of Spain Exam

The Aragón PAU History of Spain (Historia de España) examination evaluates 2nd Bachillerato students on their comprehensive understanding of Spanish and Aragonese political, social, economic, and cultural history from prehistory to contemporary times. Administered by the Universidad de Zaragoza (UNIZAR) organizing commission, the exam demands rigorous knowledge of historical processes, critical analysis of primary and secondary historical sources, conceptual synthesis, and coherent essay writing.

Exam sponsor: PAU Organising Commission of Aragón / UNIZAR. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Written examination with 3 questions: 1 mandatory cross-cutting concept with related idea, 1 historical source analysis, and 1 extended essay theme

Time Limit

90 minutes (1.5 hours)

Passing Score

Marked on a 0–10 scale. Minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase to combine with Bachillerato GPA (60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU >= 5.0 to pass).

Exam / Certification Fees

EUR 75.00 ordinary registration fee (Access Phase plus two voluntary subjects); EUR 30.93 per additional voluntary subject (UNIZAR 2026)

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: About 95% of Bachillerato candidates passed the Aragón PAU Access Phase in the June 2025 ordinary sitting (regional reported results).. overall PAU Access Phase pass rate in Aragón This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, 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.

20%

Ancient and Medieval Foundations

Prehistory (Atapuerca), pre-Roman peoples, Romanization (Caesaraugusta), Visigothic Kingdom, Al-Andalus (Saraqusta), Christian Reconquest, and Crown of Aragón institutions (Fueros, Compromise of Caspe).

20%

Early Modern Spain & Hapsburg Empire

Catholic Monarchs (1492), Americas expansion, Hapsburg dynasty (Charles I, Philip II), 17th-century decline, and Alteraciones de Aragón (1591).

20%

Bourbon Reforms & Crisis of Old Regime

War of Succession, Nueva Planta Decrees, Enlightened Despotism (Charles III), Peninsular War (Sitios de Zaragoza), and Cádiz Constitution of 1812.

20%

Liberal State & Restoration Monarchy

Carlist Wars, Liberal Revolutions, Desamortizaciones (Mendizábal, Madoz), Sexenio Democrático, Cánovite Restoration, Disaster of 1898, and Joaquín Costa's Regeneracionismo.

20%

20th Century, Civil War & Democratic Transition

Primo de Rivera dictatorship, Second Republic (1931-1936), Spanish Civil War (Council of Aragón, Ebro/Teruel battles), Francoist Dictatorship, Democratic Transition, 1978 Constitution, and Statute of Autonomy of Aragón.

Preparing for the Aragón PAU History of Spain Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Marked on a 0–10 scale. Minimum 4.0 required in Access Phase to combine with Bachillerato GPA (60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU >= 5.0 to pass).
  • Assessment: Written examination with 3 questions: 1 mandatory cross-cutting concept with related idea, 1 historical source analysis, and 1 extended essay theme
  • Time limit: 90 minutes (1.5 hours)
  • Exam / certification fees: EUR 75.00 ordinary registration fee (Access Phase plus two voluntary subjects); EUR 30.93 per additional voluntary subject (UNIZAR 2026) 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

Aragón PAU History of Spain: Suggested Study Strategy

1Create comparative timelines aligning general Spanish history with specific Aragonese events (e.g. 1591 Alteraciones de Aragón alongside Philip II's imperial policies)
2Master the key constitutional texts (1812, 1837, 1845, 1869, 1876, 1931, 1978) focusing on sovereignty, separation of powers, and individual rights
3Practice historical source analysis using primary text excerpts, political cartoons, population graphs, and historical maps
4Memorize exact historical terminology (e.g. Desamortización, Caciquismo, Turno Pacífico, Pronunciamiento, Regeneracionismo, Autarquía)
5Understand cause-and-effect chains for major conflicts: Carlist Wars, Peninsular War, Tragic Week of 1909, and Spanish Civil War
6Review the socio-economic transformations of the 19th and 20th centuries, including railway expansion, agrarian reforms, and the 1959 Stabilization Plan
7Draft timed essay responses within the 90-minute examination limit to build conciseness and clarity

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the PAU History of Spain exam in Aragón?

The exam takes 90 minutes and consists of three structured sections designed by UNIZAR harmonizers: Question 1 covers a cross-cutting historical concept (e.g. electoral rights, educational policy, state centralization) and a related historical idea (3 points); Question 2 requires historical source analysis of a text, map, graph, or image (4 points); and Question 3 involves developing an extended historical essay topic (3 to 4 points).

How is the PAU mark calculated for university admission in Spain?

The final University Admission Grade (Nota de Acceso) is calculated by combining 60% of the student's 2nd Bachillerato GPA (Nota Media de Bachillerato) with 40% of the PAU Access Phase mark (Calificación de la Fase de Acceso). The Access Phase includes History of Spain (or Philosophy), Spanish Language, Foreign Language, and a core modality subject. Candidates must score at least 4.0 on the Access Phase average and achieve a combined mark of at least 5.0 to pass.

Are specific Aragonese history topics required for the UNIZAR exam?

Yes. The Aragón curriculum explicitly requires knowledge of regional historical processes alongside general Spanish history. Key Aragonese topics include the origins of the Crown of Aragón, the Conquest of Zaragoza by Alfonso I (1118), the Compromise of Caspe (1412), the Fueros and Justicia de Aragón, the Alteraciones de Aragón (1591), the Sitios de Zaragoza (1808-1809), Joaquín Costa's Regeneracionismo, the Council of Aragón during the Civil War, and the Statute of Autonomy of Aragón (1982).

What passing score is required for the History of Spain PAU exam?

The exam is graded out of 10 points. While there is no standalone mandatory passing mark for individual subjects, students must score a minimum of 4.0 points on average across the four Access Phase subjects to enable the 60/40 weighting with their Bachillerato GPA. Higher scores (8.0-10.0) significantly improve competitive admission chances for high-demand degree programs (e.g. Medicine, Law, Engineering).

Can History of Spain be used to boost the admission cut-off mark (Nota de Corte)?

Depending on the specific degree program and university faculty regulations, History of Spain may serve as a voluntary Specific Phase exam (Fase Específica) or count towards admission weighting (typically weighted 0.1 or 0.2 depending on the degree branch, especially in Arts, Humanities, Law, and Social Sciences).

What key historical documents and constitutions should be studied?

Essential legal texts include the Decree of Nueva Planta (1707), the Constitution of 1812 ('La Pepa'), the Constitutions of 1837, 1845, 1869, 1876, and 1931, the Moncloa Pacts (1977), the Spanish Constitution of 1978, and the Statute of Autonomy of Aragón (1982).

How should I structure the historical source analysis question?

For Question 2 (Source Analysis), state the nature of the source (primary/secondary, textual/visual/statistical), author, date, and historical setting; extract the core historical ideas; and synthesize the source within its broader socio-political context using relevant historical knowledge.