France launches first nationwide early math exam for high‑school students

Around 500,000 first‑year high‑school pupils in France sat the new early mathematics exam on Thursday‑Friday, the first such test without a calculator and counted towards Parcoursup admissions. The two‑hour paper, worth a coefficient of 2, combines multiple‑choice calculations with several independent exercises and varies according to the students’ specialisations.

Education Minister Édouard Geffray called the test “a major step” and said it is meant to “revalue mathematics at the lycée”. The reform follows years of declining mathematics scores highlighted by the PISA study. While the exam’s results will feed into the national baccalauréat score, officials stress that the aim is to strengthen selection for higher‑education entry rather than to improve learning outcomes. Critics, such as teacher Pierre Priouret, argue that the measure adds pressure without benefiting students.

The new assessment will be integrated into the Parcoursup platform, allowing candidates to demonstrate a required level of competence for university places. A later oral French exam and traditional written French test will follow on the same days, with stricter grading on orthography and grammar.