Ace Your Bac Exams! Key Dates and Top Tips to Maximize Your Score

Candidates who narrowly missed passing the baccalaureate, with scores between 8 and 9.99 out of 20, are given a second chance. Through the make-up exams, held in early July right after the results are announced, students have one last opportunity to earn their diploma. This second group session allows students to retake two subjects orally to boost their average score above 10. However, honors are no longer attainable as they are only awarded in the first round.

When are the make-up exam dates?

This year, the make-up exams are scheduled from Monday, July 7 “to Wednesday, July 9, 2025, inclusive“, according to the National Education Ministry’s website. Exact dates and times will be communicated to candidates once they have selected the subjects they wish to retake.

What are the two oral exams to choose during the make-up session?

The make-up exams consist of two oral tests, covering two different subjects. “Following the results of the initial exams, eligible candidates will undergo an oral exam in two subjects chosen from French, philosophy, and the specialty subjects studied in their final year,” explains the Aix-Marseille academy.

To make a wise choice, three criteria are crucial: “consider the score achieved in the exam, your abilities, and the subject’s coefficient,” advises Isabelle Dumas, founder and director of Cours Ado. She adds, “Many students make the mistake of choosing the subject they are most comfortable with. However, it is better to choose a subject where you can recover the most points!” In other words, if you received a low score in a high-coefficient subject, it would be wise to retake it in the make-up exams, as there are potentially more points to gain.

How do the make-up oral exams proceed?

The make-up oral exams take place at the candidate’s exam centers. Depending on the test, the total duration of the oral exam is 40 minutes: 20 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of presentation. The examiner chooses the questions. Moreover, in the make-up exams, only the higher scores are considered. If the new score achieved in the oral surpasses that of the first round, it replaces it. The coefficient for each subject remains the same as in the initial exams.

For the professional baccalaureate, the control test now includes questions on the following disciplines: mathematics and/or physics-chemistry and/or economics-law or economics-management and/or health-prevention-environment, on one side, and French or history-geography-civic education on the other; candidates also have the option to choose the two disciplines they wish to be examined on.

How to effectively revise for your make-up oral exams?

Prior to the oral exams, review the basics of each subject, focusing on the essentials. “If you’re taking an exam in math or physics-chemistry, it’s best to have a perfect grasp of your formulas,” suggests Isabelle Dumas. Revisiting previous exam questions can also help get you back in the groove. To impress the judges, you must be clear, structured, and precise. Practice in front of your parents or siblings… Make sure to maintain eye contact and not just read from your notes. And at the end, ask them to throw some tricky questions at you. This will help you practice arguing and justifying your choices.

How to maximize your chances on the day of the make-up exams?

Present well and stay organized

Arriving casually at the oral exam is not an option! The impression you make on your examiner is critical. “Make sure to arrive rested, relaxed, and organized, but also polite and serious. You should also bring all the necessary materials for the subject: texts if it’s a French or languages exam, or a calculator if it’s math. Keep everything in a folder. The examiner will appreciate your structured and organized approach,” the expert advises.

Discuss your career plans

Additionally, you can discuss your career plans during the oral if the examiner prompts you. For instance, if you are already accepted into a school through Parcoursup and just need the diploma to enroll, the examiner might be more inclined to give you a better grade. Remember, the examiner is not there to break down the candidate or destabilize them, but to assess their knowledge and see what they have retained from the subject.