4,435 students start the PAU in Tarragona with 15 detectors
More than 4,400 students from the Camp de Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre have started the University Entrance Exams (PAU) on Tuesday, June 9, 2026. This edition incorporates about fifteen electronic device detectors at the Rovira i Virgili University (URV) as a pilot test to prevent cheating and ensure transparency.
The university entry exams always cause nerves, but this year technology is added to ensure everything is clean. As if that were not enough, four more exam boards have been added in Baix Penedès, an area that was pending after the chaotic 2020 due to the pandemic.
Distribution and key data of the PAU 2026
How many students are participating and where are they from?
A total of 4,435 students are called to take the exam in the Tarragona district, 260 more than last year. Of these, 3,924 come from high school and 511 from vocational training cycles, a number that reflects the diversity of profiles aspiring to university.
Where are the exams held and why is Baix Penedès in the news?
There are 26 boards spread across municipalities such as Tarragona, Reus, Vila-seca, Valls, Cambrils, Tortosa, Móra d'Ebre, Amposta, and El Vendrell. El Vendrell debuts four new boards to meet the demand from institutes in Baix Penedès, who were only able to take university entry exams in 2020 due to the exceptional health circumstances.
The role of electronic detectors at URV
How will devices be controlled during the exams?
This year, fifteen electronic device detectors will be deployed at Rovira i Virgili University. The intention is to ensure that no student uses mobile phones or other devices during the exams, a step many consider necessary but that also generates some discomfort.
What does this pilot test imply for students and organizers?
Students will experience technological screening they had not encountered before, and exam organizers will have a tool to prevent cheating. This could mark a before and after in how these exams are managed in our district.
Challenges and expectations for this edition of the PAU
What are the most common concerns among students?
Nerves, pressure, and stress continue to be main factors. Additionally, the introduction of electronic detectors raises doubts among some students about their privacy or possible errors in detection.
What impact will this edition have on the future of the PAU in Tarragona?
If the pilot with detectors works, it could be extended to other locations and become the new normal. This would mean a change in the organization and perception of the exams, making them safer but also more technological.
| Aspect | 2026 Data | 2025 Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Total number of students | 4,435 | +260 |
| High school | 3,924 | - |
| Vocational training cycles | 511 | - |
| New exam boards in Baix Penedès | 4 | 0 (2025) |
| Electronic detectors at URV | 15 | 0 (current pilot) |
Source of the article: Editorial staff | ACN
