The 9 best Academies to prepare the PIR

The best training centers ideal to study the oppositions to Resident Internal Psychologist.

Many people outside the field may not know what these letters refer to, but those who have studied or are studying psychology will undoubtedly recognize the acronym Psicólogo Interno Residente: PIR.

In Spain, the PIR is an exam or test that gives access to a period of training and work to a period of training and work carried out during four years in which psychology professionals can obtain the title of Specialist in Clinical Psychology, which gives access to the public network of Mental Health care. It is, together with the Master's Degree in General Health Psychology, the only legal access to the practice of Clinical Psychology, and the only one that allows practicing at hospital level.

The complications of studying the PIR

Obtaining a place in PIR training is tremendously complicated.. There are very few places and a very high level of demand. Specifically, this last year a total of 128 places have been offered throughout the country and a total of 4,173 people have applied (being the increase in the number of places something highly demanded by most professionals in the sector).

Competition is fierce. This forces those who take the exam to make a great effort in order to obtain the best possible score in the exam, for which a large part of them opt to either buy the materials or take courses in order to prepare for the exam, in different academies. In this article we will review the 10 best academies to prepare the PIR.

The best academies to prepare for the PIR examination

Below you will find a selection of the best academies to prepare for the PIR exams in Spain.

1. Estrella Munilla PIR Academy

Along with CEDE, another of the most recognized academies, especially for its notes and outlines together with its support to the student during the course.

Dedicated solely to the preparation of the PIR, it offers both distance learning, in which the student's progress is monitored, and on-site training (in Madrid, Seville, Valencia, Zaragoza, Alicante and Albacete) in which there is usually one class a week or two (in the case of Madrid) with the exception of intensive courses. As with the previous one, it offers simulations, and it is not necessary to purchase the syllabus to take the course..

2. FOCO Academy

This academy located in Santiago de Compostela and currently also in Madrid, is also widely known. is also widely known. It offers face-to-face courses (with weekly classes) and blended courses (once a month) in which the aim is to promote an active methodology.

Review summaries are available, but the study is intended to be done through the original manuals. There is also an online modality.

3. PERSEVER Academy

This academy based in Barcelona is another of the options available when preparing for the PIR, with great success. It offers face-to-face classes with one class per week or distance learning. They do not produce their own manuals, but the classes are based on the reference manuals, although these are not included in the price. Two monthly simulations are carried out and they offer advice, a Mindfulness course and tutoring.

4. APIR Academy

This academy offers both face-to-face and online modalities and provides manuals, simulations, updates and videoclasses, among others. The face-to-face modality is held once a week on Saturday mornings with the exception of Madrid, where the course is held on Thursdays and Fridays. If the PIR is not passed, a free repetition of 11 months of the course is offered..

The APIR Academy has branches in Madrid, Barcelona, Zaragoza, Alicante, Mallorca, Bilbao, Salamanca, Santiago, Valencia, Cordoba, Granada, Murcia, Tenerife, Malaga and Seville. It is especially relevant the fact that they allow to accredit the preparation for the PIR exam as a University Master's Degree in Basic Foundations and Theory of Psychological Intervention.

5. ADELANTE Academy

Academy that offers a face-to-face preparation with few students per classoffering limited places. It prepares a study guide based on reference manuals and, like other academies, it carries out several mock exams. It offers the accrediting title of the training specifying the hours taken. It is present in Madrid and Granada.

6. Official College of Psychologists

Although it is not an academy per se, the Official College of Psychologists offers in some territories preparation courses in order to face the PIR exam. Examples of this can be found in Bizkaia and Asturias. They offer updated theoretical manuals, official exams, information on the call and information on the exam.They offer updated theoretical manuals, official exams, information about the exam and the possibility of being tutored. There is the option of taking the training in person (which includes obtaining an accredited diploma) or by distance learning.

7. PIRES Academy

This academy is characterized by offering distance trainingIt does not offer face-to-face training. It produces its own manuals and diagrams, and performs several simulations (some open to anyone who wants to do it). In addition, audioclasses can also be acquired whether or not you are a student of this academy.

8. ARKE Academy (School of Applied Studies)

Based in the community of Aragón, this academy offers preparation courses for the PIR exams in two modalities, annual or intensive (five months). They offer their own materials as a complement, but the main material is the original manuals. They also conduct simulations and offer counseling.

9. Lluís Vives Study Center

This study center located in Valencia offers intensive courses preparation courses for the PIR, with classes on Thursdays. They do not generate their own manuals, although they do generate summaries and provide dossiers with exam questions. It is an economical option that allows you to acquire a base.