The ICFES exam is a standardized test similar to the American SAT. The test is administered prior to graduation in Colombian high schools. (Grade 11th). The test is thoroughly developed and published by the ICFES.
Although ICFES provides several tests for different academic purposes, the ICFES test is nationally recognized as the most important test since it qualifies students according to their actual academic skills and therefore it can affect the possibilities that a student might have to be accepted in College.
The test was originally created in 1966, when the Colombian Association of Universities and the University Fund signed the Agreement number 65. This agreement was reached after a research made by the Colombian Government and members of Colombian Universities.
The test is an intensive one.[1] The test is totally managed by ICFES and different contracts with companies that transport valuables as a way to make the test safely delivered to the students and preventing fraudulent results or illegal copying.
Between September 7 and 8, 1968, the National Testing Service conducted Colombia's first National Examinations, in which the following components were evaluated: mathematical aptitude, verbal aptitude, abstract reasoning, spatial relations, social sciences and philosophy, chemistry, physics, biology and English.[2][3]