Deciding to prepare for a Spanish civil service exam (oposición) is one of the most important steps in your professional life. But starting without a clear plan is the main reason so many quit in the first 3 months. In this guide you'll see, step by step, how to start preparing for oposiciones from zero in 2026, what decisions to make first, what materials you need and the mistakes that save headaches later.
If you're reading this and haven't taken the first step yet, congratulations: you're doing exactly what we recommend before investing time and money — getting informed properly.
Step 1: Choose the right oposición (the most important decision)#
Before buying anything or downloading PDFs, spend 1-2 weeks choosing well. It's the decision that defines the next 6-24 months of your life. Some candidates change after 4 months because they didn't choose well — and start from scratch.
Objective criteria to choose#
- Your current education level: do you have ESO, Bachillerato, FP, university degree? Oposiciones are grouped (A1, A2, C1, C2) by requirements.
- Your time availability: technical oposiciones like Inspector de Hacienda need 18-24 months of intense study. Auxiliar Administrativo, 6-9 months.
- Target salary: A1 earns 28-40k/year, A2 23-30k, C1 18-22k, C2 14-18k.
- Call frequency: AGE convenes annually for major cuerpos. Some regional ones every 3-4 years.
- Number of places: more places means higher odds. Check the last 3 calls.
- Final location: do you want your city, or willing to relocate to Madrid?
Popular cuerpos to start#
| Cuerpo | Group | Places/year | Study duration | Approx salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auxiliar Administrativo del Estado | C2 | 1000-2000 | 6-9 months | 14-18k |
| Administrativo del Estado | C1 | 500-1500 | 9-12 months | 18-22k |
| Agente de Hacienda | C1 | 200-600 | 9-12 months | 20-24k |
| Correos | C1/C2 | 5000+ | 4-6 months | 16-20k |
| Gestión Procesal | A2 | 300-800 | 12-15 months | 24-28k |
| Técnico de Hacienda | A2 | 100-400 | 15-18 months | 28-32k |
If unsure, Correos and Auxiliar Administrativo del Estado are the most common entry points: less syllabus, more places, lots of information available. Once in, you can promote to higher cuerpos.
Step 2: Download the updated official syllabus#
Never buy the first pack you see on Amazon or at an academy. Before investing, download free:
- The latest call published in the BOE. It tells you the exact syllabus, exam format and criteria. At BOE.es.
- Official exams from the last 3-5 years. They show what questions your tribunal asks.
- The official syllabus, usually published by the convening body (INAP, ministries, etc.).
With those 3 documents you can already see if the oposición is really for you, without spending a euro. Look at the real exam: does what it asks seem accessible with effort, or completely beyond your level?
Step 3: Set a REALISTIC schedule#
Mistake #1 of beginners: planning 6 hours daily sustained. Impossible if you work, have family or any life outside studying. Result: after 2 weeks, dropout.
Realistic by profile:
- Full-time student: 4-6 hours/day. Total 25-35 hours/week.
- Full-time worker: 1.5-2.5 hours weekdays + 4-6 hours Saturday. Total 12-18 hours/week. Complete guide for working candidates.
- Parent with young children: 1-1.5 early hours + 3-5 hours weekend. Total 8-12 hours/week.
What matters is consistency, not quantity. 2 hours daily for 9 months (≈ 500 hours) beats 6 hours for 2 months and quitting.
Step 4: Choose your study system#
You have 4 main options:
A. Pure self-taught (free, demanding)#
Downloaded PDFs, YouTube videos, Excel for progress tracking. Only recommended if you have strong discipline and prior study experience.
Pros: zero cost. Cons: high dropout rate, no structure, no correction, loneliness.
B. AI-powered online platform (recommended for most)#
Oposilab, AulaCM, OpositaTest, etc. They give you syllabus, tests, mock exams, spaced repetition and progress dashboard from day one.
Pros: structure, schedule flexibility, low cost (free-19€/month), instant correction. Cons: needs personal discipline (no class to attend).
C. In-person academy#
Classroom lessons with teachers. Very variable quality by city and academy.
Pros: external routine, community, live questions. Cons: expensive (200-400€/month), fixed schedules, slow for review.
D. Online video academy (Adams, MasterD)#
Recorded classes + forum. Middle ground between B and C.
Pros: academy structure with online flexibility. Cons: 60-150€/month, less interactive, no real AI.
For 2026, the most efficient combination is:
- AI online platform as base (syllabus, tests, mocks).
- ChatGPT or similar as occasional support for doubts.
- Telegram/Discord community so you don't feel alone.
Step 5: Do your first diagnostic test#
Before studying, take a test of the real syllabus to see your starting point. This tells you:
- How much you already know from general knowledge (surprisingly, usually 20-30%).
- Which topic blocks you're more lost in.
- How you feel under timed-test pressure.
Typical result for a starting candidate: 2.5-4 out of 10. That's normal and you shouldn't get discouraged. The question is how much you climb in 3 months.
Step 6: Learn the correct method (this saves months)#
Most common university error: reading syllabus and highlighting. For oposiciones it works poorly because you forget 80% in a week.
The method that works, in 4 verbs:
- Understand — read the topic with an AI tutor beside you for doubts.
- Practise — generate tests immediately after.
- Review — spaced repetition (missed questions return at 1, 3, 7, 21 days).
- Simulate — full mocks every 7-10 days.
If your study system doesn't include these 4, you're wasting time. Complete AI-method guide here.
Step 7: The first 30 days (what to expect)#
Week 1#
- You choose oposición, download syllabus and official exams.
- Configure your study tool.
- Read first topic, do first diagnostic test.
- You get overwhelmed. It's normal.
Week 2#
- You start daily study routine.
- Notice your head tires faster than expected.
- Score 3/10 in topic tests and wonder if you're doing badly.
- Keep going. The initial curve is the hardest.
Week 3#
- You have 5-8 topics read. Spaced-repetition queue grows.
- Fresh-topic tests start hitting 5-7/10.
- You realise some topics you'd study differently next time. You're learning how to study.
Week 4#
- First complete block mock exam. Likely: 3-5/10. Not a bad result for month one.
- You start understanding which blocks suit you better (Constitution, Administrative Procedure, etc.).
- You feel you have rhythm. Here you've already passed 60% of those who started.
Typical beginner mistakes#
1. Buying everything at once#
Before spending 200€ on a full academy pack, try 2-4 weeks with the free version of online platforms. If it doesn't suit you, you lost time, not money.
2. Changing oposición after 4 weeks#
If you chose well (step 1), hold at least 8 weeks before changing. First weeks are tough in any oposición; the problem isn't the cuerpo, it's the study adaptation curve.
3. Studying without measuring#
If you only read and highlight, you don't know if you're advancing. Do tests from week one. Measurement separates professional preparation.
4. Comparing your score with forums#
In Telegram and forums you'll read people saying "I score 8/10 in mocks". Ignore. Each is at a different point, with different tools. The only useful comparison is with yourself 2 weeks ago.
5. Not resting#
Starting opositando 7 days a week without rest is the burnout recipe. Minimum 1 full day off per week. Memory consolidates during rest.
Frequently asked questions#
Which oposición is easiest to start with?#
There are no "easy" ones but there are accessible ones. Correos and Auxiliar Administrativo del Estado are the most common: manageable syllabus, many places, lots of info.
Do I need an academy mandatorily?#
No. In 2026, many candidates pass with online platform + self-discipline. In-person academy remains valid but is the most expensive and least flexible option.
How much does opositar cost?#
Minimum: 0€ (free with freemium platforms + BOE syllabus). Reasonable: 20-30€/month (Pro plan online + ChatGPT). Expensive: 200-400€/month (in-person academy).
Can I opositar while working?#
Yes, it's the most common. With 12-15 weekly hours well distributed (1.5h weekdays + 4h Saturday), a general cuerpo oposición in 9-12 months is viable. Specific guide here.
How long until I pass?#
Depends on cuerpo and consistency. C1/C2 cuerpos with serious dedication: 6-12 months for first call. A1/A2 cuerpos: 12-24 months. Most pass in 2nd or 3rd call, not the first.
Is it a good idea to prepare for several at once?#
For beginners, no. Focus on one oposición for the first 6 months. Once you've mastered the common block (Constitution, State organisation), you can consider a second compatible one.
Start today with step 1#
If you only do one thing after reading this: download the latest call of your cuerpo and the latest official exam. Read them. If you see a real possibility, follow to step 2. Starting is what costs most. After that, it's all routine.
Keep reading: how to prepare oposiciones with AI, study method step by step or more guides for candidates.
