Students in their final year of high school are currently taking the dreaded baccalauréat exams. While some are confident of success, others are already dreading the prospect of having to face the "rattrapage" exams in the hope of securing that precious sesame to the world of work.
How are the bac rattrapage exams organized? Under what conditions? And above all: on what dates? Here you'll find all the information you need to know about the baccalauréat rattrapage tests, and in advance: good luck if you're concerned!
All students who did not achieve the admission average (10/20) but who nevertheless obtained an overall mark above 08/20 are sent to rattrapage. When the results of the bac are published (this year on July 4, 2025), the students concerned learn whether they have been sent to rattrapage for one or more subjects, or whether they have obtained their diploma on the first attempt.
In detail, when students collect their transcripts on the day the results are published, they must choose the subjects they wish to retake if they have scored less than 10/20 in them, and register accordingly. A convocation is then issued to the student, detailing the date and time of the make-up exams. Catch-up tests take place at the school where the student's results are posted.
These areoral exams only. Students attend on the date and at the time indicated on their official invitation. The oral exam is divided into two parts:
The jury then awards the student a mark. The results of the rattrapage exams are announced orally to each student, at the end of the half-day of orals. If you've passed your baccalauréat by rattrapage, congratulations! If, on the other hand, you didn't pass, you'll need to collect your new transcript in order to re-register for a new year in terminale.
The baccalauréat is calculated on a total of 2000 points (20/20). Students who are eligible for the rattrapage exams must have obtained a mark between 08/20 (800 points) and 9.99/20 (999 points), and can make up a maximum of 200 points.
To find out how many points you're short of to pass the baccalauréat, refer to your test transcript: your score is shown on it. All you have to do is calculate how many points you need to reach a minimum of 1000 points (10/20) in order to pass the bac, and calculate the points you need in each subject to reach the average, taking coefficients into account.
As in previous years, the bac rattrapage exams take place immediately after the results, this year from July 7 to 9, 2025, with one session in the morning and one in the afternoon. If you are unable to attend the July session, a replacement session will also be held in September 2025 (September 8 for the philosophy test, September 9 to 11 for the specialty tests and September 11 for the French test).
Please note, however, that only a compelling reason or a medical reason can exempt you from the July session. Good luck to all future baccalaureate holders!
