The baccalaureate (or baccalaureate) is the national diploma which certifies the end of high school and opens access to higher education. It exists mainly in the general and technological pathways: in both cases, the final grade combines a significant part of continuous assessment (report cards, common evaluations integrated into the averages) and so-called “terminal” tests taken at the end of the year. The specialties play a fundamental role here: in the general route, they structure the final year course, and in the technological route, they complete more “professionalizing” series teaching (STMG, STI2D, ST2S, etc.) with expectations and modalities which may be different depending on the materials and establishments, hence the interest in anticipating its organization from the first.
How will the 2026 baccalaureate be organized?
In 2026, the architecture remains the same: final tests (written French first, then final philosophy, specialties, grand oral and certain tests specific to series/sections) and continuous assessment throughout the year. Here, the calendar is constructed to avoid the sequence of “specialties in March” which had been much criticized: the philosophy paper takes place in mid-June, the specialties follow just after, then comes the grand oral over a longer period (end of June – beginning of July). This organization allows high school students to work on their specialties “to the end”… but also imposes a high density of revisions in June!
What are the baccalaureate tests in final year 2026?
In the final year, candidates first take the written philosophy test (scheduled for Monday June 15, 2026 in the morning). Then come the specialty tests which constitute a highlight of the final evaluation. Depending on the path, certain technological series may also include specific practical, written or oral tests (for example in the scientific, health or technological fields), to which are added the particularities of the French International Baccalaureate and certain options. The grand oral takes place over several days: a long period which allows the invitations to be spread out and the exam to be organized on a national scale.
What is the calendar for the 2026 baccalaureate specialty exams?
For the 2026 session at the final level, most of the specialty written tests are held over two days: Tuesday June 16, 2026 then Wednesday June 17, 2026 (in the morning), with separate slots depending on the disciplines. Please note: certain specialties have a dedicated positioning on Thursday June 18, 2026, notably LLCA (Literatures, languages and cultures of Antiquity) and Biology-ecology. In the technological route, there are also practical specialty tests positioned earlier in the month, depending on the series and the modalities (written/practical), which can lead to deadlines from the first week of June.
