What are the best preparations for joining Polytechnique?

The École Polytechnique, nicknamed “l’X”, remains a royal road for the best students of scientific preparatory classes In France. This renowned engineering school is renowned for its high level of admission requirements; only a few preparatory students succeed in gaining access.

Around ten high schools constitute the main breeding grounds of the prestigious school. They stand out in particular for their academic excellence and very good teacher supervision.. Sector by sector, discover the high schools which have the best success rates for entering the Ecole Polytechnique.

Some French high schools are particularly renowned for their preparation for the École Polytechnique entrance exam. They are also known for their strong selectivity : they attract the best students in France after the final year, ensuring a pool of high-performance candidates.

Parisian and Ile-de-France high schools concentrate a large number of those admitted to the X each year. The Sainte-Geneviève (Versailles) and Louis-le-Grand (Paris 5th) high schools stand out as the flagship establishments for access to Polytechnique, with remarkable integration rates.

Although the best results are often concentrated in Île-de-France, several high schools in the provinces also excel, with convincing results in the admissions exam. In the region, high schools Pierre-de-Fermatin Toulouse or Parcin Lyon, send a large number of students to the École Polytechnique.

The graph below reveals the high schools from which students admitted to École Polytechnique come from between 2022 and 2024. Thus, in recent years, 17.8% of new recruits have come from the Sainte-Geneviève high school.

The MP sector remains the preferred route to enter the Ecole Polytechnique. Known for its seriousness and its excellent results, Louis-le-Grand often rivals Sainte-Geneviève in terms of admissions to the X.

Henri-IV (Paris) completes the podium, closely followed by the Lycée d’Excellence in Benguérir, in Morocco, generally reserved for the country’s brightest students.

The graph below shows MP preparations from students admitted to École Polytechnique between 2020 and 2024. During this period, 20.9% of newly integrated students studied at the Louis-le-Grand high school.

The PC sector also remains a path of excellence through which students enter the École Polytechnique. Each year, almost half of the students completed their preparatory cycle either at Sainte-Geneviève or at Louis-le-Grand.

The Stanislas high school (Paris) also successfully prepares its students for the X competition. In Lyon (69), the Parc high schools and To the Vincentians show constant success rates in the Polytechnique competition.

The graph below reveals PC preparatory courses from students admitted to École Polytechnique between 2020 and 2024. During this period, 28.1% of new recruits came from the Sainte-Geneviève high school.

The Ecole Polytechnique reserves a certain number of places for students in the PSI sector. Stanislas high school offers excellent support for students from this prep.

Then, it is the Hoche and Sainte-Geneviève high schools, in Versailles and Pierre-de-Fermat, in Toulouse, which have a high success rate in the X competition.

The graph below shows the PSI preparations from which students admitted to the École Polytechnique between 2020 and 2024. During this period, 20.1% of newly integrated students studied at Stanislas high school.

The PT sector remains a still little-known sector for entering Polytechnique. Half of the students come from Sainte-Geneviève high schools and Jean-Baptiste-Say (Paris). In Lyon, the La Martinière-Monplaisir high school enjoys an excellent reputation.

The graph below reveals PT preparations from students admitted to École Polytechnique between 2020 and 2024. During this period, 28.3% of new recruits came from the Sainte-Geneviève high school.

Students in the BCPST sector also have an opportunity to join the École Polytechnique. Half of the students come from Sainte-Geneviève and Jean-Baptiste-Say high schools. Saint-Louis high school (Paris) completes the podium.

The graph below reveals the BCPST preparations from which students admitted to École Polytechnique come from between 2020 and 2024. During this period, 32.3% of new recruits came from the Sainte-Geneviève high school.

Created four years ago, the MPI sector also sends students to Polytechnique. Over the last two years, more than a third of the students have come from the Louis-le-Grand high school.

The graph below shows MPI preparations from students admitted to École Polytechnique between 2023 and 2024. During this period, 13.3% of newly integrated students studied at Aux Lazaristes high school.

After the Versailles high school of Sainte-Geneviève, most of the original establishments are big Parisian names like Louis-le-Grand, or Henri-IV. If these high schools offer the best admission to l’X, joining these scientific preparatory classes is not reserved for everyone. Only the best profiles are retained: an excellent average, often above 18/20, is expected.

“We want to recruit students who are interested, brilliantand who want to pursue a scientific career, this is our first element of measurement”, testifies Dominique Rossin, director of teaching and research at the École Polytechnique.

In addition to this selection on file, these preparations are also known to accommodate a significant proportion of students from wealthy families. With compulsory boarding for CPGE students, the price of board at Sainte-Geneviève high school is for example between 5,887 euros and 19,481 euros for the 2024-2025 school year.

These preps are trying to break their elitist image by diversifying their recruitment : they offer stock market schemes and equal opportunity programs so that bright students from all backgrounds have the opportunity to access it.

Aware of the criticisms of its social and geographical openness, the École Polytechnique has also put in place measures to encourage greater diversity. The establishment notably offers admissions based on qualifications for students from other courses (universities, international schools, etc.)

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