In 2024, the number of people teaching in schools and establishments will rise to 851,600. To be able to practice this profession, most of them took a competitive examination. The CRPE for school teachers, the CAPLP for vocational high school teachers, the Capet for technological high school teachers, the Capeps for physical education and sports teachers or the Capes and the Agrégation for secondary school teachers of the public. These last two competitions are the most widespread: they graduate certified teachers and associate professors.
To pass the Capes, candidates must obtain a master 2 (bac+5). The latter is generally carried out within a higher national institute of teaching and education (Inspé), which are establishments specializing in preparation for teaching professions. The Capes is a national competition which evaluates the educational and disciplinary knowledge of candidates in a chosen specialty (history-geography, mathematics, etc.). The competition, which differs depending on the profile of the candidates, is made up of two or three written eligibility tests, including a disciplinary test on the chosen specialty and a more transversal test. For the oral exams, applicants must prepare two tests: a lesson on a given subject and an interview with the jury.
Once the competition has been obtained, teachers have the status of trainee teacher for one year. During this year and all following years, they provide 18 hours of lessons per week. According to the salary scale of teachers from 1is January 2024, a certified teacher who has validated his internship year and is therefore in the second year of teaching will receive 2,121 euros net monthly base. At 11e level, the remuneration rises to 2,816 euros net monthly base.
To become an associate professor of secondary education, candidates must also obtain a master's degree. However, the aggregation competition is a more demanding competition than the Capes. It is renowned for its level of difficulty, both academically and disciplinaryly. Just like the Capes, the aggregation competition has several routes depending on the candidate's profile and varies according to the specialty chosen. It is generally made up of four written eligibility tests. In history, for example, candidates must work on two seven-hour dissertations, an explanation of the text and a composition. The oral admission tests are also more numerous.
Associates have the opportunity to teach in high school, college or even in preparatory classes. They benefit from a reduced number of teaching hours, namely 15 hours per week. They also have more advantageous remuneration, since from their second year of teaching in a normal class, they receive 2,344 euros net monthly basic, or more than 200 euros difference with their certified colleagues. The last level, which exceeds four years of seniority, provides 3,429 euros net monthly base. Associates also have expanded career opportunities, with prospects of progressing towards positions of head of establishment, inspector or trainer.
