French Baccalaureate Exam Details
The French Baccalaureate (le bac) is France’s national secondary school diploma, designed to assess students’ readiness for higher education and professional life. Renowned for its rigor, breadth, and emphasis on both written and oral skills, the bac challenges students to demonstrate deep knowledge, analytical thinking, and communication abilities. Here’s a detailed look at the structure, components, and evaluation methods of the bac.
Structure and Streams
The bac offers three main pathways:
General Baccalaureate (Bac Général) – Focuses on academic disciplines and prepares students for university studies.
Technological Baccalaureate (Bac Technologique) – Combines theory with applied studies, suited for technical fields.
Vocational Baccalaureate (Bac Professionnel) – Emphasizes practical skills for direct entry into the workforce or technical post-secondary education.
Since the 2021 reform, the Bac Général structure includes:
A common core: French, philosophy, history-geography, foreign languages, physical education, and science culture.
Two chosen specialty subjects: These subjects, selected at the end of Seconde (Grade 10), form the heart of a student’s program in Première (Grade 11) and Terminale (Grade 12).
Continuous Assessment
A key feature of the modern bac is continuous assessment (40% of the final grade). This component evaluates a student’s work throughout Première and Terminale. It includes classroom tests, projects, and oral presentations across core subjects and specialties. Continuous assessment encourages consistent effort and reduces the pressure of relying solely on final exams.
Final Examinations
Final exams account for 60% of the overall grade and include:
Philosophy exam: A written essay test where students analyze a topic or text.
Specialty subject exams: Two written exams on the chosen specialties, taken in Terminale.
The Grand Oral: A signature feature of the reformed bac, this oral exam assesses a student’s ability to present, defend, and discuss a topic related to their specialties. It tests clarity, reasoning, and communication skills.
French language exams: For Première students, including written and oral components (for French-speaking students).
Other subject-specific finals: Depending on the chosen pathway, students may sit exams in additional subjects like math, science, or arts.
Grading and Mentions
The bac is graded on a 0–20 scale. A minimum of 10/20 is required to pass. Higher scores earn mentions:
Assez bien (12–14)
Bien (14–16)
Très bien (16–18)
Félicitations du jury (18+ in some regions)
Students scoring between 8 and 10 may attempt ratatrpage (oral retakes) to raise their average.
Why the Bac Matters
The bac’s combination of continuous assessment, final exams, and orals ensures that students are evaluated on a wide range of skills knowledge, analysis, critical thinking, and communication. The diploma opens doors to universities in France and internationally and is highly respected for its academic rigor.
The Approach at Kintess
At Kintess, we guide students through bac preparation with a holistic, brain-based approach. Our program integrates continuous formative assessments that mirror bac expectations, helping students build strong study habits, resilience, and self-awareness. Teachers provide tailored support for essays, problem-solving tasks, and oral presentations through regular practice and feedback. We encourage metacognitive strategies so students reflect on their progress and adjust methods as needed. Our curriculum combines academic rigor with well-being practices, ensuring students are prepared not only for the exams but for the lifelong learning journey that follows.