While 85.6% of candidates for the patent exam obtained their diploma in 2024, the Minister of National Education Anne Genetet announced that it would become compulsory to go to second grade from 2027. A way to restore the image of this often criticized examination.
Would the patent exam be more difficult to obtain than the baccalaureate? According to National Education figures, in 2024, out of 839,600 candidates for the exam, 718,800 passed the college exam. That’s a success rate of 85.6%. A score down 3.5 points compared to the June 2023 session. The baccalaureate announces a significantly higher success rate, at 91.4%.
Currently, to obtain the precious patent, the candidate must obtain a score of 400 points out of 800 points. The third grade student is evaluated half on the basis of continuous assessment, and half by final tests. Five tests conclude the final exam: an oral exam on a project carried out during the year and written tests in French, mathematics, history-geography and science.
69.1% of candidates obtained a mention
From the start of the 2026 school year, the continuous assessment report on the final grade will account for 40% of the grade, while the tests will account for 60% of the exam.
As with the baccalaureate, the college certificate can be awarded a grade of “fairly good”, “good” or “very good”, condition sine qua non to obtain a merit scholarship. In 2024, 69.1% of candidates obtained one of these distinctions. From 2025, the mention “Very good with congratulations from the jury” will reward a student who scores more than 18 out of 20 on the exam.
“The idea is to have a real diploma,” Minister of National Education Anne Genetet explained to AFP on Tuesday, November 12. Sometimes considered too easy or unnecessary, from 2027, the middle school certificate will be compulsory to enter high school. Students who fail the exam will be able to move towards a more professional path, or will join a year of “secondary preparation”, in order to successfully complete high school in four years.
This will concern a large number of college students, since in 2024, 14.4% of candidates failed the exam. “My ambition is first of all that as many students as possible obtain the Brevet,” reassured Anne Genetet.
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