Hypokhâgne

Hypokhâgne is the first year of the two-year preparatory class (classe préparatoire aux grandes écoles or CPGE) in France, specifically within the "Lettres" (Humanities and Social Sciences) stream. It is a highly selective and demanding academic program designed to prepare students for competitive entrance examinations for prestigious French higher education institutions, known as Grandes Écoles. These institutions often focus on literature, philosophy, history, geography, and modern languages.

The curriculum in Hypokhâgne is intensive and broad, aiming to provide students with a solid foundation in a wide range of humanities subjects. Core subjects typically include French literature, philosophy, history, and one or more modern languages. Students are also often introduced to classical literature and languages, and sometimes subjects like geography or economics. The workload is significant, with numerous lectures, tutorials, and regular written and oral assessments.

The primary goal of Hypokhâgne is to develop critical thinking, analytical skills, and strong writing abilities. Students are expected to engage deeply with complex texts and concepts, articulate their arguments effectively, and demonstrate a broad cultural knowledge. The program is known for its rigor and the demanding pace at which students must work. Success in Hypokhâgne is seen as a crucial step towards admission into elite Grandes Écoles such as the École Normale Supérieure (ENS) or the École des Chartes. The second year of this preparatory cycle is known as Khâgne.