NARIC guide on Higher Education Systems in the European Union

The baccalauréat examination
The baccalauréat examination takes place at the end of the last year of secondary schooling, generally in June and the
beginning of July. Some examinations are administered at the end of the preceding year:
for the baccalauréat général and the baccalauréat technologique, written and oral French examinations;
for the baccalauréat technologique, history and geography examinations for students enrolled in the STI, STL and
SMS
sections.
The examination consists of compulsory written and oral examinations, some of which represent electives chosen by the
candidate. Grades range from 0 to 20 points. The grade obtained on each examination is multiplied by a coefficient.
Candidates who receive an average score equal to or higher than 10 points out of 20 on the first set of required
examinations are granted the diploma following the decision of the examination panel. Candidates whose average score is
8 points out of 20 must take a second set of examinations. Those candidates who receive an average score equal to or
above 10 points out of 20 on both sets of examinations are granted the diploma.
According to the scores attained in the examinations, one of the
following rankings will be assigned and written on the diploma:
16 to 20: très bien (exceptional)
14 to 16: bien (very good)
12 to 14: assez bien (good)
10 to 12: passable (acceptable)
An indication of rank is not included on the diplomas of students who pass the second set of examinations. The diplomas
awarded can also specify if the student attended the section européenne (European section) or the section de langue
orientale (oriental language section).
II.1.1. Qualifications for admission to
non-university higher education
Institutions and private or public schools, which are under the super-vision of various ministries, offer higher education
programmes with more vocational or professional aims. In order to be admitted to these institutes and schools, students must
hold a baccalauréat, take an examination or a series of competitive examinations or submit a special application which is
examined by the admissions board, which may be followed by an interview.
These institutions offer either short-term advanced technical training programmes (STS) which can be technological,
commercial or paramedical in nature, or long-term advanced education programmes (BAC plus three years or more) in
political science institutes, engineering schools, business or management schools, schools of veterinary medicine, architecture
schools, national telecommunications schools, art schools, etc.
Preparatory classes for grandes écoles (CPGE) are offered at lycées and only students with very high grades on the
baccalauréat examinations are actually eligible for these classes. After completing one or two years of study, candidates can
take the competitive entrance examinations administered for the grandes écoles specialising in science and
management.
II.1.2. Qualifications for admission to universities