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Exam Review

Key Facts: Catalonia PAU History of Philosophy Exam

90 Min

Official exam duration set by Consell Interuniversitari de Catalunya

CIC / Canal Universitats PAU Regulations 2026

6 Authors

Prescribed authors: Plato, Descartes, Locke, Kant, Nietzsche, Mill

Curriculum 2n de Batxillerat Catalunya

EUR 110.00+ access phase (EUR 41.30 exam right + EUR 68.70 access phase; plus EUR 13.80 per admission exercise, Generalitat de Catalunya 2026)

Ordinary base registration fee for PAU Access Phase in Catalonia

Generalitat de Catalunya Fee Ordinance

4.0 / 10

Minimum mark required in Access Phase to blend with Bachillerato GPA

Spanish University Access Regulations

Catalan / ES

Official exam languages (Catalan default, Spanish option)

Consell Interuniversitari de Catalunya

100

Original English-adapted practice questions in this bank

OpenExamPrep

Catalonia PAU History of Philosophy (CIC 2026) is a 90-minute university entrance exam assessing text analysis, conceptual rigor, and comparative thought across Plato, Descartes, Locke, Kant, Nietzsche, and Mill.

Sample Catalonia PAU History of Philosophy Practice Questions

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

1In Plato's Theory of Forms as presented in the Republic, what is the ontological relationship between the intelligible world (kosmos noetos) and the sensible world (kosmos horatos)?
A.The intelligible world contains eternal, immutable, and perfect archetypes that constitute true reality, whereas the sensible world consists of transient, changing physical copies.
B.The intelligible world is an illusory mental projection generated by sensory observations of physical objects.
C.The sensible and intelligible worlds are identical material structures perceived through different emotional states.
D.The intelligible world is a linguistic construct established by political convention with no independent objective existence.
Explanation: Plato's metaphysical dualism posits that the intelligible realm consists of immutable, eternal Forms (Eide) accessible only through reason (noesis), while the sensory world contains changing, imperfect material imitations. The Forms represent ultimate reality and the foundation for true knowledge (episteme).
2In Book VII of Plato's Republic, what does the sun represent in the Allegory of the Cave?
A.The physical source of biological life and visible light in the material universe.
B.The Form of the Good (Agathon), which illuminates truth, reality, and intelligible objects.
C.The supreme political authority exercised by the tyrant in a corrupted city-state.
D.The faculty of sensory imagination (eikasia) that generates shadows on the cave wall.
Explanation: In Plato's Allegory of the Cave, the sun outside the cave symbolizes the Form of the Good (Agathon). Just as the physical sun illuminates visible objects and enables sight, the Form of the Good provides truth and intelligibility to all other Forms and enables rational comprehension.
3According to Plato's Divided Line in Book VI of the Republic, which level of cognition corresponds to the study of mathematical objects?
A.Conjecture or imagination (eikasia), which relies on shadows and reflections.
B.Belief or conviction (pistis), which deals with tangible physical objects.
C.Hypothetical reasoning or thought (dianoia), which relies on assumptions and sensible diagrams.
D.Direct dialectical understanding (noesis), which grasps first principles without sensible images.
Explanation: On Plato's Divided Line, mathematical reasoning corresponds to dianoia (thought or hypothetical reasoning). Mathematicians use sensible diagrams as aids and start from unproven hypotheses to deduce conclusions, placing dianoia above belief (pistis) but below direct dialectical insight (noesis).
4In Plato's psychological theory, how is the soul (psyche) divided, and which virtue corresponds to the rational part (logistikon)?
A.The soul is undivided, and its primary virtue is physical strength.
B.The soul is divided into rational, spirited, and appetitive parts; the virtue of the rational part is wisdom (sophia).
C.The soul is divided into vegetative, sensitive, and intellectual parts; the virtue of the rational part is temperance.
D.The soul is divided into conscious, subconscious, and unconscious parts; the virtue of the rational part is courage.
Explanation: Plato's tripartite soul consists of the rational part (logistikon), the spirited part (thymoeides), and the appetitive part (epithymetikon). The rational part seeks truth and knowledge, and its proper virtue is wisdom (sophia) or prudence (phronesis).
5In Plato's political philosophy in the Republic, what constitutes justice (dikaiosyne) in the ideal city (Kallipolis)?
A.Equally distributing economic wealth among all citizens regardless of their societal role.
B.Ensuring every citizen votes on legislation through direct democratic assemblies.
C.Each class (rulers, guardians, producers) fulfilling its natural function without interfering in the functions of others.
D.Allowing the strongest military commanders to execute sovereign authority without legal restraint.
Explanation: Platonic justice in Kallipolis is defined as functional harmony: each of the three social classes (philosopher-rulers, military guardians, producers) performs its specialized duty according to its dominant soul component, without encroaching upon the roles of other classes.
6What is Plato's doctrine of recollection (anamnesis) as articulated in dialogues such as Meno and Phaedo?
A.Learning is the empirical accumulation of sensory impressions stored in memory during childhood.
B.Learning is the process of remembering truths that the immortal soul knew in the intelligible realm before incarnation.
C.Learning is an artificial invention of concepts through social conditioning and rhetoric.
D.Learning is the physiological modification of brain tissue produced by sensory stimuli.
Explanation: Plato's doctrine of anamnesis asserts that the soul is immortal and acquired knowledge of eternal Forms before being embodied. Sensory experience in the material world acts merely as a prompt that allows the soul to recollect (remember) innate knowledge it already possesses.
7Why does Plato advocate for philosopher-kings to govern Kallipolis in the Republic?
A.Philosophers possess military supremacy and divine lineage inherited from ancient heroes.
B.Philosophers are wealthy aristocrats who can fund public infrastructure out of personal fortunes.
C.Only philosophers possess knowledge of the Form of the Good, enabling them to rule with objective wisdom rather than personal ambition.
D.Philosophers are trained in Sophistic rhetoric to persuade voters during electoral campaigns.
Explanation: Plato argues that political power and philosophical insight must coincide. Because philosopher-kings have ascended the Divided Line to contemplate the Form of the Good, they understand absolute justice and truth, allowing them to govern unselfishly for the common good.
8In Book VIII of Plato's Republic, what is the correct order of political degeneration from the ideal aristocracy?
A.Aristocracy -> Oligarchy -> Timocracy -> Tyranny -> Democracy
B.Aristocracy -> Timocracy -> Oligarchy -> Democracy -> Tyranny
C.Aristocracy -> Democracy -> Timocracy -> Oligarchy -> Tyranny
D.Aristocracy -> Tyranny -> Oligarchy -> Democracy -> Timocracy
Explanation: Plato outlines a five-stage degeneration of regime types driven by psychological corruption: Aristocracy (rule of reason/good) degrades into Timocracy (rule of honor/spirit), then Oligarchy (rule of wealth/necessary appetites), Democracy (rule of freedom/unnecessary appetites), and finally Tyranny (rule of lawless lust).
9How does Plato distinguish opinion (doxa) from true knowledge (episteme) in Book V of the Republic?
A.Opinion is based on mathematical proofs, whereas knowledge is based on sensory observation.
B.Opinion relies on authority, whereas knowledge relies on majority consensus.
C.Opinion is directed toward the realm of becoming (sensible objects that change), whereas knowledge is directed toward being (immutable Forms).
D.Opinion is permanent and infallible, whereas knowledge is provisional and subjective.
Explanation: In Plato's epistemology, opinion (doxa) deals with the sensory realm of becoming (particular material things that come to be and pass away), rendering it changeable and fallible. Knowledge (episteme) deals exclusively with true being—the eternal, unchanging Forms.
10What role does dialectic (dialektike) play in Plato's educational program for philosopher-kings?
A.It is a technique of debate used to win political elections regardless of truth.
B.It is the supreme intellectual method that moves beyond sensible images and hypotheses to achieve direct intuitive knowledge of the Form of the Good.
C.It is a set of physical exercises designed to train military guardians for warfare.
D.It is an empirical scientific method based on controlled laboratory experimentation.
Explanation: Dialectic is the culmination of Platonic education. It is the purely intellectual process of question, answer, and rational analysis that destroys ungrounded hypotheses to ascend to the highest principle—the Form of the Good—without using physical sensory aids.

About the Catalonia PAU History of Philosophy Exam

The Catalonia PAU History of Philosophy examination evaluates 2n de Batxillerat students on core philosophical texts and doctrines across the official Catalan curriculum. Administered under the Consell Interuniversitari de Catalunya (CIC) and Generalitat de Catalunya, the syllabus focuses on six mandatory prescribed authors: Plato, René Descartes, John Locke, Immanuel Kant, Friedrich Nietzsche, and John Stuart Mill. Students are tested on text commentary, key philosophical concepts, internal logic, and comparative analysis across epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, and political philosophy. Note: The official university entrance examination in Catalonia is a written essay and text commentary exam administered in Catalan (or Spanish upon request); this practice question bank provides an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation designed to master the required theoretical content and author comparisons.

Exam sponsor: Consell Interuniversitari de Catalunya (CIC) / Generalitat de Catalunya. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Official 90-minute examination consisting of text commentary analysis from prescribed authors, short concept definitions, synthesis of main ideas, and comparative author analysis.

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 41.30 examination right + EUR 68.70 access phase + EUR 13.80 per admission-phase exercise (Generalitat de Catalunya, PAU 2026); 50% reduction and full exemption available for eligible groups

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%

Platonic Philosophy (Plató)

Theory of Forms, Allegory of the Cave, Divided Line, Tripartite Soul, Ideal State in the Republic, and Epistemology.

16%

Cartesian Rationalism (Descartes)

Methodical Doubt, Cogito Ergo Sum, Dualism (Res Cogitans / Res Extensa), Proofs of God, and Clear and Distinct Ideas.

16%

Lockean Empiricism & Political Theory (Locke)

Second Treatise of Civil Government, Tabula Rasa, Natural Rights (Life, Liberty, Estate), Social Contract, and Right of Resistance.

16%

Kantian Critical Philosophy & Deontology (Kant)

Critique of Pure Reason (Phenomena/Noumena, Synthetic A Priori), Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals, Categorical Imperative, and Autonomy.

16%

Nietzschean Critique of Metaphysics & Morality (Nietzsche)

Genealogy of Morality, Master vs. Slave Morality, Critique of Western Rationalism/Christianity, Nihilism, Will to Power, and Übermensch.

16%

Millian Utilitarianism & Liberal Political Philosophy (J.S. Mill)

Utilitarianism (Greatest Happiness Principle, Qualitative Hedonism), On Liberty (Harm Principle, Individual Autonomy, Freedom of Expression).

Preparing for the Catalonia PAU History of Philosophy 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: Official 90-minute examination consisting of text commentary analysis from prescribed authors, short concept definitions, synthesis of main ideas, and comparative author analysis.
  • Time limit: 90 minutes (1.5 hours)
  • Exam / certification fees: EUR 41.30 examination right + EUR 68.70 access phase + EUR 13.80 per admission-phase exercise (Generalitat de Catalunya, PAU 2026); 50% reduction and full exemption available for eligible groups 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

Catalonia PAU History of Philosophy: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the text commentary framework by identifying key terms, central thesis, line of argument, and underlying philosophical assumptions for each of the six authors.
2Practice direct pairwise author comparisons across historical eras, such as Plato vs. Locke on knowledge acquisition, Descartes vs. Kant on metaphysics, or Kant vs. Mill on ethical obligation.
3Memorize author-specific technical vocabulary in English and Catalan (e.g., Theory of Forms / Teoria de les Idees, Cogito / Jo penso, Tabula Rasa, Categorical Imperative / Imperatiu categòric, Will to Power / Voluntat de poder, Harm Principle / Principi del dany).
4Analyze key primary texts included in the 2n de Batxillerat reading list: Plato's Republic (Book VII), Descartes' Discourse on Method / Meditations, Locke's Second Treatise, Kant's Groundwork, Nietzsche's Genealogy of Morals, and Mill's Utilitarianism and On Liberty.
5Pace your review to cover both epistemology/metaphysics and ethics/political philosophy across all six authors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the official exam format for PAU History of Philosophy in Catalonia?

The official exam is a 90-minute written test comprising a philosophical text commentary from one of the six prescribed authors (Plato, Descartes, Locke, Kant, Nietzsche, Mill), followed by text comprehension questions, concept definitions, thematic synthesis, and an author comparison.

Which authors are prescribed in the official Catalonia PAU curriculum?

The curriculum specifies six core authors: Plato (Ancient), René Descartes and John Locke (Modern rationalism vs. empiricism / political philosophy), Immanuel Kant (Modern Enlightenment / Critical philosophy), Friedrich Nietzsche and John Stuart Mill (Contemporary philosophy).

In what language is the official PAU exam administered in Catalonia?

The official examination paper is provided in Catalan by default, with Spanish versions available upon student request.

What is the fee for the 2026 PAU exam in Catalonia?

The Generalitat de Catalunya, through the Consell Interuniversitari de Catalunya (CIC), sets the 2026 PAU ordinary fees at EUR 41.30 examination right, EUR 68.70 access phase, and EUR 13.80 per admission-phase exercise. A 50% reduction and a full exemption are available for eligible groups such as large families (família nombrosa general), scholarship holders, and students with a recognised disability of 33% or more.

How does the PAU History of Philosophy score contribute to university admission?

The exam is graded on a 0–10 scale. A minimum mark of 4.0 in the PAU Access Phase average is required to combine with the Bachillerato GPA (weighted 60% Bachillerato + 40% PAU Access Phase) to achieve the university admission grade (min 5.0 to pass).

Are these practice questions official PAU exam questions?

No. Official PAU exams consist of text analysis essays written in Catalan/Spanish. These 100 practice questions are an English-language multiple-choice adaptation created to help students master the theoretical doctrines, terminology, and comparisons required by the official curriculum.