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Every year, high school students begin their final exams with the philosophy test. Below, we explore the topics from last year and provide all the necessary details about this challenging part of the baccalaureate exams.
Like every year, French high school students will tackle the philosophy exam first, setting the stage for a week of intense stress as they take on the baccalaureate exams. The four-hour test consists of a written essay, with students choosing between two essay prompts or a text commentary. It’s one of the most feared exams, but here’s everything you need to know to prepare.
When will the 2026 Philosophy Exam Take Place?
The philosophy exam, the first test taken during the baccalaureate (not counting the preliminary exams in the junior year), is scheduled for Monday, June 15, 2026, from 8 AM to 12 PM. This applies to candidates in both the general and technological tracks. The professional baccalaureate does not include a philosophy exam.
What is the Weighting of the Philosophy Exam?
The philosophy exam has a weighting of 8 in the general track. In the technological track, the weighting is 4.
What are Students Evaluated on in the Philosophy Exam?
The written philosophy exam assesses the candidate’s ability to develop a reasoned argument, identify and articulate a problem related to the course material (essay or text explanation), read and explain a studied text, and reason, analyze, or argue a thesis. Students must also demonstrate the ability to compose a clear written work. “These skills are assessed not as separate elements, but holistically through each candidate’s approach to a unique philosophical question or text,” states the Ministry of National Education in an official bulletin from 2020.
What were Last Year’s Philosophy Topics for the General Exam?
In 2025, the general track philosophy essay topics were: “Does our future depend on technology?” or “Is truth always convincing?” The text commentary was based on an excerpt from John Rawls’ A Theory of Justice (1971).
What were Last Year’s Philosophy Topics for the Technological Exam?
In the 2025 technological track, students tackled the following essay topics: “Are we free under all circumstances?” or “Do we need art?” The text commentary was on a work by Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (1759).
How is the Philosophy Oral Exam Conducted in the Resit?
If you select philosophy for the baccalaureate resit exams, the test involves an oral explanation of a text, followed by a discussion with the examiner. The text is selected from philosophical works studied in class over the year. Students have 20 minutes to prepare their text explanation, then present it to the examiner for 10 minutes, followed by a 10-minute discussion to further elaborate and develop the initial explanation.
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