Canarian students face the university entrance exams (PAU) starting this Tuesday, June 2nd, which will continue until Friday, June 5th. Across the nation, approximately 300,000 students are participating in this traditional university entrance examination, with this year's session notably featuring robust technological safeguards.

The archipelago is among the first autonomous communities to commence these academic evaluations. While some regions like the Community of Madrid started on Monday, the Canary Islands join the majority on Tuesday, facing four intensive days of exams. The extraordinary examination session for the islands is scheduled for June 30th, July 1st, and July 2nd, providing an additional opportunity for students.

The main innovation for the 2025-2026 academic year is the deployment of tracking devices to detect and prevent the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the tests. Several universities have adopted the use of radio frequency detectors to stop students from employing sophisticated copying methods. These measures aim to preserve the integrity of the exams in the face of technological advancements.

At various examination venues, the use of smartwatches, cameras in glasses, or internet-connected pens is strictly prohibited. Personal electronic devices must remain turned off and stored in backpacks. Academic institutions such as the University of Zaragoza and Galician entities are leading this control, conducting random searches to ensure no applicant uses digital cheating methods during the evaluation.

The PAU in the Canary Islands is distinguished by its four-day duration, allowing for a better distribution of subjects in the specific phase. In the rest of Spain, regions like Catalonia and Castilla-La Mancha will conclude their exams in the second week of June. Despite this temporal difference, the correction criteria remain rigorous throughout the country.

The objective of this technological anti-cheating initiative is to guarantee equal opportunities for all students. Academic authorities emphasize that copying methods are becoming increasingly complex, compelling universities to continuously update their surveillance systems. With preparations complete in the Canarian venues, young students are facing their final hours of study to decide their professional futures.