Baccalauréat Score Calculator
Calculate Your French Baccalauréat Final Score and Mention
Bac Score Calculator (Reform 2021+)
Enter Your Scores
Contrôle Continu (40% of total)
Your average from 1ère and Terminale (excluding French)
Épreuves Anticipées (10% of total)
Épreuves Terminales (50% of total)
Mention Thresholds
Understanding the Baccalauréat
The Baccalauréat (commonly called "le bac") is France's national high school diploma exam, required for university admission and considered one of the most important academic milestones in French education. Since the 2021 reform, the baccalauréat is calculated based on contrôle continu (continuous assessment) accounting for 40% and terminal exams accounting for 60% of the final grade.
The reform moved away from the previous system where a single week of exams determined everything, toward a more balanced evaluation incorporating student performance across two years (Première and Terminale). The minimum passing score remains 10/20, but achieving mentions (honors) significantly impacts university admissions and scholarship eligibility.
The baccalauréat général (general track) differs from baccalauréat technologique (technological) and baccalauréat professionnel (vocational), each with different coefficient distributions. The general bac emphasizes speciality subjects chosen by students, allowing personalization while maintaining rigorous standards across all French lycées.
Baccalauréat Scoring Breakdown (2021 Reform)
Total Coefficient: 100
The final baccalauréat score is calculated using weighted coefficients totaling 100. Each component has a specific weight that determines its importance in the final average.
Calculation Formula
Final Average = (Sum of all grades × their coefficients) ÷ 100
Important Facts About the Baccalauréat
Minimum Passing Score: 10/20
The minimum passing average is 10/20, representing 1,000 points out of a possible 2,000 (since total coefficient is 100, and max grade is 20). Students scoring between 8-10/20 qualify for oral retakes (rattrapage), where they can take oral exams in two subjects to raise their average. Students must score below 8/20 to fail outright without retake opportunity.
Mention Très Bien Benefits
Mention Très Bien (16+/20) provides significant advantages beyond prestige. Students with TB receive priority consideration for competitive university programs and classes préparatoires (prep schools). Boursiers (scholarship students) with TB receive aide au mérite—additional financial support of approximately €900 per year for three years of university studies. Some prestigious grandes écoles give automatic admission interviews to TB holders.
Félicitations du Jury is Unofficial
While félicitations du jury (jury's congratulations) for scores of 18+/20 is highly prestigious, it's not an official mention. The jury awards it at their discretion to recognize exceptional achievement. It appears on diplomas and can distinguish a student in competitive admissions, but doesn't carry specific financial benefits like Mention Très Bien. Only about 0.5-1% of students receive félicitations.
Speciality Subjects Matter Most
Each speciality subject carries coefficient 16, making them the highest-weighted components (32% of total score combined). Students choose three specialities in Première, dropping one before Terminale. Popular combinations include Maths+Physics, History+Literature, or Economics+Math. Strong performance in specialities is crucial for reaching higher mentions and demonstrating mastery in chosen academic direction.
Grand Oral Tests Communication Skills
The Grand Oral (coefficient 10) is a 20-minute oral presentation introduced in the 2021 reform. Students present on a question related to their specialities, then engage in discussion with examiners. It assesses communication skills, critical thinking, and subject mastery. While only 10% of final score, poor Grand Oral performance can prevent reaching mention thresholds, making preparation essential.
Contrôle Continu Includes Everything
The 40-coefficient contrôle continu includes all subjects not covered by terminal exams: modern languages, history-geography, scientific education, physical education, and moral & civic education. These grades come from school reports (bulletins) across Première and Terminale. Since this represents 40% of the final score, consistent performance throughout both years is crucial—not just exam preparation in Terminale.
Tips for Baccalauréat Success
- Focus on speciality subjects: With coefficient 16 each (32% total), excelling in specialities is the fastest path to higher mentions.
- Maintain strong contrôle continu: Don't neglect regular coursework. 40% of your final score comes from school reports, not just exams.
- Calculate your target scores: Work backward from your mention goal to determine necessary scores in each component.
- Prepare for Grand Oral early: Don't wait until June. Start developing your question and presentation in fall of Terminale.
- Excel in French épreuves anticipées: These Première exams (coefficient 10 total) set the foundation. A strong start reduces Terminale pressure.
- Understand rattrapage mechanics: If between 8-10/20, choose retake subjects strategically based on coefficients and your strengths.
- Use official practice materials: The Ministry of Education publishes annales (past exams) and specimen papers for all subjects.
- Balance all subjects: Even minor coefficient subjects contribute to contrôle continu. Don't neglect PE, languages, or history.
- Track your running average: Calculate your projected score after each trimester to identify areas needing improvement.
- Aim for mention thresholds: If approaching 12, 14, or 16, extra effort can make the difference between mention levels.
About the Author
Adam
Co-Founder @ RevisionTown
Math Expert specializing in various curricula including IB, AP, GCSE, IGCSE, and more