Overview
Saber TyT is Colombia's national exit exam for students finishing technical professional and technological (TyT) higher-education programmes, run by ICFES, the government testing body. Like its counterpart for professional undergraduate degrees (Saber Pro), it measures competencies at the end of study rather than certifying individual pass or fail, and its results feed into quality indicators for programmes and institutions.
Who can take it
Students nearing completion of a technical professional or technological education programme take Saber TyT, in line with the credit-completion stage ICFES sets for their programme.
Structure or exam pattern
| Session | Modules |
|---|---|
| Generic competencies | Lectura Crítica, Razonamiento Cuantitativo, Competencias Ciudadanas, Comunicación Escrita, Inglés |
| Specific competencies | Modules tied to the student's field, such as hardware/software maintenance and installation, machinery assembly and operation, or health promotion and disease prevention |
What it covers
The generic modules test skills expected across all technical and technological graduates: critical reading, quantitative reasoning, citizenship competencies, written communication and English. The specific modules test job-relevant skills for the student's own field of study.
Scoring and results
As with Saber Pro, ICFES does not set a pass/fail cut-off for Saber TyT. Students receive an individual report with scores broken down by module through the official ICFES platform.
Dates and fees
For 2026, fees are the same schedule ICFES uses for Saber Pro: tiered by institution type and, for private institutions, by tuition bracket, with a standard (ordinaria) rate starting at $126,000 COP and a higher extraordinaria rate for late registration. Registration and exam dates are published each semester on the ICFES site.
How to register
Registration is done through the official ICFES platform during the announced window for each cycle; institutions typically coordinate registration for their own students.
Preparation tips
Use the official orientation guide (guía de orientación) ICFES publishes for the Saber TyT generic modules, since it lists question types and session timing.
Confirm which specific module applies to your own technical or technological programme, since these differ by field.
How is Saber TyT different from Saber Pro?
Saber TyT is for students completing technical professional or technological programmes, while Saber Pro is for students completing professional undergraduate degrees. Both share the same five generic competency modules but differ in their specific modules.
Is there a pass or fail score for Saber TyT?
No. ICFES does not set a passing score; results are reported per module for quality and comparison purposes.
What specific modules exist in Saber TyT?
Specific modules vary by field, and include areas such as hardware/software maintenance and installation, machinery assembly and operation, and health promotion and disease prevention, among others tied to individual programmes.