The Ministry of National Education has announced new measures to raise the level of French students, in particular several modifications concerning the college certificate and baccalaureate exams.
The clash of knowledge continues. A year after the announcement of the first measures intended to allow the raising of the level of French students by Gabriel Attal, then Minister of National Education, it is the new tenant of rue Grenelle who presents a second part of measures. Anne Genetet's objective is the same as her predecessor: “to support our students towards success” while the academic level is still “worrying” in view of the results of national assessments carried out in 6th, 4th and 2nd grade.
A level which must improve and meet more requirements, which will be set with the modification of the exams which punctuate the school career of French students: the middle school certificate taken in 3rd year and the baccalaureate which 1st year students face and Terminale. The national patent diploma (DNB), which assesses the level of each student before moving on to high school, will become compulsory from the start of the 2027 school year, that is to say for students currently in 5th grade. Without passing the exam, middle school students will not be able to return to high school, they will be directed to CAP or to preparatory classes for 2nd year. The bridge system between the end of middle school and the start of high school has already been tested since September 2024
A modified patent and strengthened support
Not only will it become compulsory, the college certificate will get a makeover with a few changes. Starting with its grading method, the diploma will no longer be evaluated at 50% on the final exams and 50% on continuous assessment, but at 60% on the end-of-year exams and 40% on the grades obtained. during the different quarters. It will be the grades which will be taken into account and no longer the areas of competence which are considered too favorable to the students. You will always have to obtain the average with at least 400 points out of 800, i.e. 10/20. The mentions issued from 12/20 will also remain identical, except that the mention “Very good with congratulations from the jury” will be awarded to students having obtained 18/20 to recognize success.
Changes are also expected regarding the tests: French, mathematics and science will remain on the program, as will the history, geography and moral and civic education tests, which will however be marked separately to “restore value” to EMC teaching, the minister said.
While the level required to pass the middle school certificate is slightly increased, the Ministry of National Education is planning measures to better support students. After the creation of need groups in 6th and 5th grade, these groups will be extended to 4th and 3rd grade students, but not under the same conditions. One hour per week the students will be grouped by level to review the specific needs and difficulties of each one, they will study French every other week and mathematics the rest of the time. “The students most in difficulty will be in reduced numbers”, specifies the minister who also adds “double the number of students who will have access to 'homework done' and to success courses”, i.e. 800,000 middle school students in 4th and 3rd.
A new anticipated test for the baccalaureate
It's not just at college that there will be change. In high school, future baccalaureate candidates will also notice certain changes. From the start of the 2026 school year, an anticipated mathematics test will be added to those in French for 1st grade students. The goal is to guarantee a minimum level in mathematics for all students while the general level of French people in this subject is declining. The coefficient of the test and the associated program are not yet known. Please note that Terminale students who have chosen to follow specialized mathematics teaching will take a second mathematics test during the final exams.
