The Colombian national standardized test for 11th graders, administered by the Instituto Colombiano para la Evaluacin de la Educacin (ICFES), assesses students’ competencies in areas such as reading, mathematics, social sciences, natural sciences, and English. These scores serve as an indicator of academic achievement and are often used as a benchmark for admission into higher education institutions.
These assessments play a vital role in the Colombian education system. The results provide valuable feedback to students, educators, and policymakers, helping identify strengths and weaknesses in the educational process. They also contribute to a more equitable system by offering opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds to demonstrate their abilities and access higher education based on merit. Historically, this standardized test has been a crucial component of the Colombian education system, evolving over time to better reflect the needs of students and the demands of the modern world.