baccalauréat

The baccalauréat, commonly known as the bac, is the national secondary-school leaving qualification in France. It is awarded by the Ministry of National Education to students who complete lycée and pass the required examinations. Successful candidates obtain access to higher education in France and, depending on the program, in many other countries. The bac has long served as a key milestone of the French education system and remains the standard credential for tertiary study.

Historically, the bac originated in the early 19th century and has evolved through several reforms. It was traditionally organized into distinct streams, such as général, technologique, and professionnel. In recent years, reforms have shifted away from rigid series toward a common core with chosen specialties. A notable feature of the current system is the Grand Oral, an oral examination intended to assess communication, reasoning, and argumentation skills.

Structure and assessment typically combine continuous assessment over the final two years with terminal examinations. For the bac général and technologique, students select and study two or three specialties in year two (première) and continue in terminale, culminating in written exams across several subjects and an oral component. The Grand Oral contributes to the final grade. The bac professionnel emphasizes practical, hands-on knowledge and includes a distinct set of professional evaluations.

Results and recognition: The bac is awarded to those who meet the required average and pass the examinations. It may include mentions such as très bien, bien, or assez bien, depending on overall performance. The diploma is widely recognized by higher education institutions in France and abroad, and it serves as the standard entry credential for universities, preparatory classes, and many technical programs.