French Baccalaureate 2027 in London: exams, grading and preparation

Continuous assessment, subject specialisms, the new mathematics exam, exam dates and university applications: what parents of students following the French curriculum in London need to know.

The French Baccalaureate, commonly known as the Bac, has changed considerably in recent years. And for parents, keeping up with the different requirements is not always straightforward.

Do grades from Première really matter? What happens if a student drops Mathematics before Terminale? Has the weighting of the Grand Oral changed? And when should students actually start preparing for their exams?

At Tutoright, these are questions we hear regularly from families navigating the French education system in London.

There is also another important consideration: students taking the French Bac in London do not necessarily sit their examinations on the same dates as students in mainland France.

Here is our guide to the 2027 French General Baccalaureate (Baccalauréat général), including the official assessment structure and our advice on preparing effectively.

How does the French Baccalaureate work?

The French General Baccalaureate is based on two components:

• 40% continuous assessment (contrôle continu), based on school grades from Première (Year 12 equivalent) and Terminale (Year 13 equivalent) in the relevant subjects.
• 60% final examinations, including the early examinations taken in Première and the final examinations taken in Terminale.

For students without optional subjects, the Bac is calculated using a total of 100 coefficients. Optional subjects add extra coefficients to this total.

In other words, the Bac is not simply an examination taken at the end of the final school year.

Consistent academic performance throughout Première and Terminale matters.

What are the Bac exam coefficients?

Final examinations: 60 coefficients

From the 2027 session, the Grand Oral coefficient for the General Baccalaureate decreases from 10 to 8.

The two specialist subjects retained in Terminale account for a combined 32 coefficients, making them particularly significant.

Continuous assessment: 40 coefficients

These coefficients apply to the French General Baccalaureate, excluding additional optional subjects. The technological Baccalaureate follows different assessment arrangements.

The new early Mathematics exam: what parents should know

One of the most significant changes to the French Bac is the introduction of an early Mathematics examination.

Since June 2026, students in Première following the general or technological pathways have been required to take this examination, whether or not they selected Mathematics as a specialist subject.

For students taking the Bac in 2027, this exam was taken at the end of Première in 2026.

Students currently in Première during the 2026–27 academic year will take it in 2027, contributing towards their final Bac results in 2028.

What does the examination involve?

The Mathematics exam:

• Lasts two hours.
• Has a coefficient of 2.
• Is written and taken without a calculator.
• Includes a 6-mark section assessing mathematical fluency and core skills.
• Includes a 14-mark section assessing mathematical reasoning and problem-solving.

The examination paper depends on the Mathematics curriculum the student has followed.

Students taking specialist Mathematics in Première do not sit exactly the same paper as those studying Mathematics within the compulsory Scientific Education curriculum.

The purpose of the examination is to assess essential mathematical knowledge and skills before students enter their final year.

Can students stop studying Mathematics after Première?

Yes. Students who drop specialist Mathematics at the end of Première do not sit another final Mathematics examination in Terminale.

However, their Mathematics results can still contribute significantly to their final Bac grade.

There are three main situations.

1. The student takes specialist Mathematics in Première but drops it in Terminale

The student takes the early Mathematics examination, coefficient 2.

Their annual grade in specialist Mathematics from Première also counts towards continuous assessment, with a coefficient of 8.

They do not take a further final Mathematics examination in Terminale.

2. The student did not choose specialist Mathematics in Première

The student still takes the early Mathematics examination, coefficient 2, based on the Mathematics curriculum integrated into Scientific Education.

Their Mathematics performance in Première also contributes to the continuous assessment component of Scientific Education.

3. The student continues specialist Mathematics in Terminale

The student takes the early Mathematics examination in Première, coefficient 2.

They then take the final specialist Mathematics examination in Terminale, coefficient 16.

What about the optional Mathematics course?

Students who discontinue specialist Mathematics after Première may choose mathématiques complémentaires(Complementary Mathematics) in Terminale.

This optional subject is assessed through continuous assessment and carries an additional coefficient of 2. There is no separate final examination.

It can be useful for students considering degrees in economics, social sciences or other subjects requiring mathematical skills.

However, Complementary Mathematics is not necessarily a substitute for specialist Mathematics when applying to British universities.

Some competitive university courses, particularly in economics, engineering, computer science and scientific disciplines, require advanced Mathematics.

Before dropping the subject, students should carefully check the entry requirements of their preferred universities.

When are the French Bac exams held in London?

This is an important distinction for families living in the UK.

The examination timetable published for mainland France does not automatically apply to overseas examination centres.

French Bac examinations in the United Kingdom may follow a different schedule.

At the time of writing, we have not confirmed a complete official timetable for the ordinary 2027 Bac examinations at the London examination centre.

Families should therefore rely on the dates communicated by their school and the relevant examination authorities rather than assuming that the mainland French dates apply.

We will update this section when the official London timetable becomes available.

What about the International French Baccalaureate (BFI)?

Some specific written assessments for the Baccalauréat français international (BFI) have already been scheduled for the relevant sections and examination centres in the United Kingdom.

These include:

• 31 May 2027: Advanced Cultural and Linguistic Studies (approfondissement culturel et linguistique).
• 1 June 2027: The specific History and Geography written assessment.

These dates relate to particular BFI assessments and should not be confused with the full General Baccalaureate examination timetable.

Why do Première grades matter so much?

Parents naturally tend to focus on the final Bac examinations in Terminale.

But Première is already a crucial year.

First, the results from continuous assessment and the early examinations contribute directly to the final Bac grade.

Secondly, for students considering university in the UK, Première often plays an important role in building a competitive application.

British universities assess academic results available at the time of application, predicted grades, subject choices and course-specific entry requirements.

Depending on the school, predicted grades may begin to be discussed towards the end of Première before being finalised for UCAS applications.

This makes the choice of specialist subjects particularly important.

A student interested in economics, engineering, medicine or another selective degree should understand the academic requirements well before submitting a university application.

At Tutoright, this is something we regularly discuss with families: preparing for the Bac also means preparing for what comes next.

How can you tell if your child needs additional support?

Not every student who would benefit from tutoring is struggling at school.

Some students work hard but find that their grades do not reflect the effort they put in.

Others understand their lessons perfectly well but lose marks because they struggle to structure an essay, explain their reasoning clearly or manage their time during an examination.

And some are already performing strongly but want to aim higher, particularly when applying to competitive universities.

One of the things we often notice is that more studying does not always lead to better results.

A student may spend hours revising Mathematics without being able to apply a concept independently. Another may know a Philosophy topic extremely well but struggle to turn that knowledge into a convincing argument.

In these situations, targeted academic support can be much more valuable than simply increasing revision time.

Equally, adding more tutoring hours to an already busy timetable is not always the answer.

The first step is understanding what the student actually needs.

How should students organise their Bac revision?

We generally recommend a gradual approach rather than leaving everything until the final weeks before the examinations.

First term: strengthen the foundations

The priority should be identifying weaker areas, revisiting concepts that have not been fully understood and establishing effective study habits.

This is particularly important in scientific subjects, where new topics frequently build upon previous knowledge.

Second term: practise with past papers

Past examination papers are extremely useful for understanding expectations and becoming familiar with examination formats.

But completing a paper is only part of the process.

The real progress often comes from reviewing mistakes carefully.

Why did an answer lose marks? Was the reasoning incomplete? Was the explanation unclear? Could the student have managed their time more effectively?

Learning from these mistakes is essential.

Spring term: practise under examination conditions

As examinations approach, timed practice becomes increasingly valuable.

Students should also prioritise sleep, exercise and time away from academic work.

A student who is constantly exhausted is unlikely to perform at their best, regardless of how many hours they spend revising.

How Tutoright supports French Bac students in London

At Tutoright, we know that every student is different.

A Première student who has lost confidence in Mathematics needs a very different approach from a Terminale student aiming for top marks in Physics and Chemistry.

Similarly, an academically strong student preparing for a competitive university course may need more advanced subject-specific support rather than general revision.

That is why we begin by speaking with the family.

We take time to understand the student’s academic background, strengths, difficulties, ambitions and personality before selecting a tutor we believe will be the right match.

Our tutors support students following the French curriculum across the main lycée subjects, including Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Biology, Economics and Social Sciences (SES), French and Philosophy.

Lessons can take place in person at home in London or online, either as regular academic support or as more focused examination preparation.

We also stay in contact with families throughout the process, reviewing progress and adjusting the support when needed.

For us, successful tutoring is not about adding as many lessons as possible.

It is about providing the right help, with the right tutor, at the right time.

Frequently asked questions about the French Bac

Does continuous assessment still count for 40% of the Bac?

Yes. For the General Baccalaureate, continuous assessment accounts for 40% of the final grade and examinations account for 60%, excluding additional coefficients from optional subjects.

Does every Première student have to take the new Mathematics exam?

Students following the general and technological Bac pathways take the early Mathematics examination, whether or not they have chosen specialist Mathematics.

Can my child drop Mathematics after Première?

Yes. Students who discontinue specialist Mathematics after Première do not take another final Mathematics examination in Terminale. However, their Première results still contribute to the Bac.

Is Complementary Mathematics enough for a British university application?

Not always. Some university courses specifically require advanced Mathematics studied through Terminale. Entry requirements should be checked individually.

Are the French Bac exam dates in London the same as in France?

Not necessarily. Overseas examination centres may follow a different timetable, so families should consult the dates officially confirmed for their examination centre.

When should my child start preparing for the Bac?

Ideally, students should begin developing strong study habits and consolidating their knowledge during Première. More focused examination preparation can then be introduced gradually as needed.

Can tutoring help a student who is already achieving good grades?

Absolutely. Tutoring is not only about catching up. It can also help students deepen their understanding, develop stronger examination techniques and prepare for demanding university courses.

The Bac is an important milestone, not the final destination

The French Baccalaureate is a significant achievement, but preparing for it should not mean two years of constant pressure.

Strong subject knowledge, effective study habits, realistic goals and confidence all contribute to successful outcomes.

For students following the French curriculum in London, it is equally important to consider how their subject choices and academic results fit into their longer-term university plans.

At Tutoright, we support families throughout this journey, with one simple belief: every student deserves academic support that reflects their individual needs, personality and ambitions.

Is your child preparing for the French Baccalaureate in London? Contact Tutoright to discuss their needs and find out how we can help, with personalised tutoring at home in London or online.

Updated October 2026. Information relates to the 2027 French General Baccalaureate. The London examination timetable will be updated once officially confirmed.