The French education system is renowned for its rigour and its landmark exams. From the Brevet at the end of collège to the Baccalauréat at the end of lycée and the demanding Classes Préparatoires that lead to the Grandes Écoles, French students face a structured series of academic challenges. Understanding these exams in detail helps students and families prepare effectively and reduce unnecessary stress.
The French Education System at a Glance
French education follows a clear progression:
- École primaire (primary school): 5 years, from CP (cours préparatoire) to CM2 (cours moyen 2), ages 6 to 11
- Collège (lower secondary): 4 years, from 6ème to 3ème, ages 11 to 15. Ends with the Brevet.
- Lycée (upper secondary): 3 years, Seconde, Première, and Terminale, ages 15 to 18. Ends with the Baccalauréat.
Education is compulsory from age 3 to 16, with a training obligation extending to age 18 (students must be in school, apprenticeship, or training).
The Brevet des Collèges (DNB)
The Diplôme National du Brevet is the first major national exam in a French student's career. It marks the transition from collège to lycée. Students who fail the Brevet can voluntarily enter a one-year remediation programme called prépa-seconde, designed to strengthen foundational skills before beginning lycée. While originally planned to become mandatory, this requirement was dropped by the government in January 2025, so students whose class council approves advancement may still proceed directly to Seconde.
Major 2026 Reforms
The Brevet has undergone significant changes for 2026:
- New scoring system: The old 800-point system is replaced by a 20-point average scale
- Rebalanced weighting: Final exams now count for 60% of the total, up from 50%, with continuous assessment making up the remaining 40%
- Higher bar: Students must achieve a minimum average of 10 out of 20 to pass
- New distinction level: "Très bien avec les félicitations du jury" (very good with jury congratulations) for scores of 18/20 or higher
- EMC independence: Moral and Civic Education (Enseignement Moral et Civique) becomes a separate, independently assessed section with its own coefficient
2026 Exam Dates
The Brevet exams take place on 26, 29, and 30 June 2026.
Subjects and Format
| Subject | Duration | Coefficient | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| French | 3 hours | 2 | Comprehension, dictation/grammar, essay |
| Mathematics | 2 hours | 2 | Problem-solving with tables and diagrams |
| History-Geography + EMC | 2 hours | 1.5 + 0.5 | Document analysis, short essays |
| Sciences | 1 hour | 2 | Two disciplines among physics-chemistry, life sciences, or technology |
| Oral | 15 min | 2 | Project presentation and interview |
The French exam tests reading comprehension, grammatical analysis, dictation, and the ability to write a structured text (either a creative piece or an argumentative essay based on a given topic).
The Mathematics exam evaluates problem-solving ability, not just computation. Students must show their reasoning clearly. Expect questions that combine geometry, algebra, and data interpretation.
Preparation Tips for the Brevet
French:
- Practise dictation regularly. The grammar and spelling section rewards students with strong foundational skills.
- Read actively: after each text, summarise the main ideas and the author's techniques. This mirrors the comprehension section.
- Write timed essays. The ability to produce a structured, clear response within the time limit is a skill that develops with practice.
Mathematics:
- Work through past Brevet papers. The question formats are remarkably consistent from year to year.
- Show all working. Partial marks are awarded for correct reasoning even when the final answer is wrong.
- Practise problems that combine multiple topics, as the exam frequently does.
History-Geography:
- Build timelines for key periods. The exam rewards students who can place events in context.
- Practise document analysis: extracting information from maps, graphs, and primary sources.
Sciences:
- Since the exam draws from three possible disciplines, students should prepare all three but may want to focus on their two strongest areas.
The Baccalauréat
The Baccalauréat, or Bac, is France's most important academic milestone. It serves as both a school-leaving certificate and a qualification for university admission.
Three Pathways
Bac Général (General Baccalauréat): The most common pathway for students aiming at university. Students follow a common core of subjects and choose three speciality subjects (spécialités) in Première, dropping one to continue with two in Terminale.
Common speciality combinations include:
- Mathematics + Physics-Chemistry (sciences track)
- History-Geography + SES (humanities/social sciences track)
- Mathematics + SES (economics track)
- Languages + Literature (literature track)
Bac Technologique (Technological Baccalauréat): Eight specialities including laboratory sciences (STL), management (STMG), health and social affairs (ST2S), and others. Combines general education with technology-oriented content.
Bac Professionnel (Professional Baccalauréat): Nearly 100 specialities covering trades and professions, from hospitality to electronics. From 2027, professional Bac exams will align more closely with the general and technological calendar.
2026 Bac Exam Dates
Written exams for the Bac Général and Technologique run from 11 to 18 June 2026, beginning with anticipated French and mathematics for Première students, followed by philosophy on 15 June and speciality subjects on 16 to 18 June for Terminale students.
New for 2026: Anticipated Mathematics Exam
Starting this year, all first-year general and technological students (Première) will sit an anticipated mathematics exam (épreuve anticipée de mathématiques), similar to the anticipated French exam that Première students already take. This is a significant addition that means students face a major national exam a full year before Terminale.
How Bac Grading Works
The Bac combines continuous assessment and final exams. Key components include:
- Common core subjects: French, Philosophy, History-Geography, Modern Languages, Physical Education
- Speciality subjects: Two subjects chosen by the student
- Grand oral: A 20-minute oral presentation on a topic connected to one or both speciality subjects
Each component carries specific coefficients that determine its weight in the final score. The total is calculated out of 20, with 10/20 required to pass.
Mentions (honours):
- Assez bien: 12/20 or above
- Bien: 14/20 or above
- Très bien: 16/20 or above
Preparation Strategies for the Bac
Philosophy (Terminale): This subject intimidates many students, but the format is predictable. The exam offers three choices: two essay questions (dissertations) and one text commentary (explication de texte). Practise writing structured philosophical arguments. Learn to reference key thinkers and build logical reasoning chains. Even students who do not consider themselves "philosophical" can perform well with consistent practice.
Speciality subjects: These carry the highest coefficients and deserve the most preparation time. Past papers are essential. Pay close attention to how mark schemes allocate points, as this reveals what examiners truly value.
The Grand Oral: This exam tests your ability to connect your speciality subjects to a broader question. You receive 20 minutes of preparation time, then present your question and structured answer for 10 minutes (you may refer to brief notes prepared during the preparation time), followed by 10 minutes of exchange with the jury, who will ask questions to deepen and probe your understanding. The exam itself lasts 20 minutes in total.
Preparation involves:
- Choosing a compelling question that genuinely interests you
- Practising your 10-minute presentation until it flows naturally (you may use brief notes but should not read from them)
- Preparing for follow-up questions that probe your understanding
- Rehearsing with a tutor, teacher, or family member who can give honest feedback
Anticipated French (Première): This exam counts toward your final Bac grade and covers both written analysis and an oral examination on a set list of literary texts studied during the year. Start building your reading list and analytical skills early in the year.
Classes Préparatoires and Grandes Écoles
For the most ambitious students, the Bac is just the beginning. Classes Préparatoires aux Grandes Écoles (CPGE), commonly known as "Prépa," are highly selective two-year programmes that prepare students for the competitive entrance exams (concours) to France's elite institutions.
The Three Prépa Tracks
- Scientific (MPSI/PCSI/PTSI, then MP/PC/PSI/PT): Leads to engineering schools (Polytechnique, CentraleSupélec, Mines, etc.)
- Economic and Commercial (ECG/ECT): Leads to business schools (HEC, ESSEC, ESCP, etc.)
- Literary (Khâgne/Hypokhâgne): Leads to the École Normale Supérieure and other humanities institutions
Admission
Entry to Prépa is based on academic records and is processed through Parcoursup, France's centralised higher education application platform. There is no entrance exam for Prépa itself; selection is based on school grades, teacher evaluations, and motivation.
2026 Key Dates
- BCE exam registrations: 8 December 2025 to 12 January 2026
- Scientific track written exams (X-ENS): 13 to 17 April 2026 (other concours run through May)
- SIGEM admission results: 17 July 2026
What Makes Prépa Challenging
Prépa is known for its intensity. Students attend lectures, complete problem sets (devoirs surveillés), and sit weekly oral exams (colles/khôlles). The workload is substantial, and the competitive atmosphere is unlike anything in lycée. Students who arrive with strong fundamentals and effective study habits adapt much more easily than those who relied on natural talent alone during their school years.
How Online Tutoring Helps French Students
France's examination system is structured, rigorous, and rewards deep preparation. At every stage, from the Brevet to the Bac to Prépa concours, personalised support can make a meaningful difference:
- Brevet preparation: Building foundational skills in French, maths, and sciences before the transition to lycée
- Bac speciality subjects: Deep practice with past papers and detailed feedback on written work
- Grand Oral coaching: Structured rehearsal with constructive feedback
- Prépa support: Weekly problem-solving practice and targeted help with the most demanding material
At iTutorOnline, our verified tutors include experienced educators who understand the French system from the inside. They adapt to your specific programme, school, and goals.
Key Takeaways
- The 2026 Brevet reform raises the bar: 60% exam weighting, 10/20 minimum to pass, and an optional prépa-seconde year for students who need it
- The Bac combines continuous assessment, written exams (11 to 18 June 2026), speciality subjects, and the Grand Oral
- A new anticipated mathematics exam for Première students begins in 2026
- Prépa selection is based on school records via Parcoursup; concours exams follow in the second year
- Consistent preparation with feedback is far more effective than last-minute revision
Preparing for French exams? Find a tutor on iTutorOnline who understands the system and can help you achieve your academic goals.