Structure and Components of the French Baccalaureate
The French Baccalaureate (or le bac) is France’s national high school diploma, serving as the main qualification for university entrance. Long regarded as a symbol of academic rigor and intellectual versatility, the bac blends general knowledge, specialization, and critical skills assessment. Since its recent reform in 2021, the structure has evolved to better align with modern educational goals while retaining its rich tradition of scholarly excellence.
Main Pathways
The bac offers three primary pathways:
General Baccalaureate (baccalauréat général): Designed for students aiming for university studies. It combines broad academic learning with two specialty subjects chosen in Première (Grade 11) and pursued in Terminale (Grade 12).
Technological Baccalaureate (baccalauréat technologique): Geared toward applied sciences, management, or design, preparing students for technical higher education.
Vocational Baccalaureate (baccalauréat professionnel): Focused on practical training for direct entry into skilled trades or further technical studies.
Components of Assessment
The French bac combines continuous assessment and final exams, providing a comprehensive measure of student performance:
Continuous Assessment (40%): This includes tests and assignments conducted throughout Première and Terminale in subjects such as history-geography, science culture, languages, and physical education. These evaluations contribute significantly to the final bac grade and encourage consistent effort rather than relying solely on final exams.
Final Exams (60%): Students sit for written exams in philosophy and their two chosen specialties. Additionally, students complete the Grand Oral, a high-stakes oral presentation designed to assess their ability to articulate ideas, argue a point of view, and respond thoughtfully to questioning.
Specialty Subjects
A hallmark of the reformed bac is its emphasis on specialty subjects. Students choose two specialties from a wide range of options, including mathematics, physics-chemistry, economic and social sciences, history-geopolitics, literature, foreign languages, and the arts. These specialties represent the core of a student’s intellectual focus in Terminale and contribute heavily to final exam results.
This system allows for both breadth through common core subjects and depth through specialization, mirroring university study structures.
The Grand Oral
Introduced as part of the 2021 reform, the Grand Oral is a signature feature of the new bac. Students research and prepare an oral presentation on a topic linked to their specialties. They are assessed on their ability to present clearly, defend their ideas, and engage in academic dialogue. This component reflects the bac’s goal of fostering confident, articulate graduates capable of independent thought.
Grading
The bac is graded on a 0–20 scale, with 10 required to pass. Higher scores earn honors (mentions): assez bien (12–14), bien (14–16), and très bien (16–18+). Those scoring between 8 and 10 may attempt supplementary oral exams (rattrapage) to improve their average.
The Approach at Kintess
At Kintess, the curriculum reflects the strengths of the French Baccalaureate structure blending general knowledge, specialization, continuous feedback, and oral communication. Students engage in modules that balance breadth and depth, choosing thematic concentrations while mastering core academic skills. Assessments combine written tasks, projects, and oral presentations, echoing the bac’s Grand Oral. Like the bac’s continuous assessment, Kintess uses frequent formative evaluation to promote steady growth. The school emphasizes reflection, critical thinking, and self-expression, preparing learners for academic success and lifelong adaptability.