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In an effort to ensure that thousands of higher education students in Colombia and abroad can meet the legal requirement to take their state exams, the Colombian Institute for the Evaluation of Education (Icfes) announced an extension of the registration deadlines for the Saber Pro and Saber TyT tests for the first semester of 2026.
This decision seeks to mitigate administrative setbacks and ensure that no educational institution or student is left out of this fundamental evaluation process for obtaining professional, technical and technological degrees.
Why was the schedule changed?
The adjustment to the dates, officially reported on February 5, 2026, responds to the need to provide additional flexibility to Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and the students themselves . According to the entity, the primary objective is to facilitate registration and payment, preventing technical problems or delays in internal university procedures from hindering applicants' participation.
Taking these exams is not just an academic formality; it's a legal requirement in Colombia. Without the certificate of attendance for the Saber Pro exams (for university students) or the TyT exams (for technical and technological students), students cannot graduate from their respective programs.
New key dates for the 2026-I process
Despite the extension of the initial registration period, ICFES has maintained the general structure of the calendar to avoid affecting the other academic stages of the year. The updated schedule is below:
1. Registration and Collection
Regular Period : Extends until Friday, February 6, 2026. During this stage, the exam cost is the standard set by the current resolution.
Extraordinary Period : It will begin on Monday, February 9th and end on Friday, February 20th, 2026. It is important to remember that registrations made on these dates have an additional cost.
2. Citations
The official exam notifications, detailing the exact location and time of the test, will be available on Friday, April 10, 2026. Students should consult this information through the PRISMA portal.
3. Application of the Test
The national and international application day will take place on Sunday, April 26, 2026. Applicants are advised to check in advance whether their exam will be in electronic or on-site format.
4. Results and Certificates
Certificate of attendance : It will be available from May 18, 2026, an essential document to begin graduation procedures.
Final results : The official publication of individual results is scheduled for August 14, 2026.
Consequences of not registering on time
The ICFES has emphasized that failure to meet these deadlines could lead to serious difficulties for students . According to Resolution No. 000629 of 2025, those who do not complete their registration process by the stipulated dates could face the following consequences:
Losing the evaluation semester : Forcing them to wait until the second semester call (2026-II) to take the test.
Delaying graduation : As it is a mandatory requirement, failure to take the exam prevents the issuance of the professional title.
Higher costs : Registrations after or outside of the established periods usually have significantly higher fees.