European Baccalaureate Language 2
European Baccalaureate
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Cheat sheet
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Give each week a clear focus.
ExploreCommon mistakes
Understand the traps and how to avoid them.
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ExploreAbout this exam
The European Baccalaureate (EB) is the school-leaving credential of the European Schools and of schools accredited by their Board of Governors; the name belongs solely to the European Schools. The cycle covers the final two secondary years, s6 and s7, and is built on a multilingual curriculum: pupils combine language, humanities and scientific subjects, with some subjects taught through a second language. The compulsory core includes at least two languages, Mathematics at 3 or 5 periods per week, one scientific subject, History and Geography taught in a language other than the dominant one, Philosophy, Physical Education, and Ethics or Religion. Options and complementary subjects bring the package to between 31 and 35 periods per week. Secondary studies are validated by examinations at the end of s7, with five written and three oral papers, double-corrected by the candidate's teachers and external examiners. Preparation should be long-term: the preliminary mark, reflecting formative work and the Pre-Baccalaureate examinations during s7, counts for half of the final result, so daily classwork matters as much as the examination session. Candidates should confirm timetable details and regulations through official European Schools channels; this page is independent study material and is not affiliated with the European Schools.
What you'll study
About European Baccalaureate Language 2 preparation
What does the European Baccalaureate actually certify?
It certifies completion of secondary studies in a European School or in a school accredited by the Board of Governors. The diploma is awarded by the Secretary-General on behalf of the Board of Governors and is officially recognised as an entry qualification for higher education in all EU countries and several others.
How is the final mark calculated?
Half comes from the preliminary mark at the end of s7, reflecting formative assessment and the Pre-Baccalaureate examinations. The other half comes from double-corrected written and oral examinations: the five written papers account for 35% of that part and the three oral papers for 15%.
What happens if the two examiners disagree?
The final mark is normally the average of the two examiners' marks. If their marks differ by more than two points, a third external corrector analyses both corrections and sets a final mark falling between the highest and the lowest of the two previous marks.
Which examinations are compulsory?
L1, L2 and Mathematics are compulsory written examinations. For the oral examinations, candidates must take L1, L2 or a subject taught through L2, namely History or Geography. Candidates therefore have to show written and oral proficiency in at least two languages.
What is the pass mark?
The overall pass mark is 5 out of 10, equivalent to 50 out of 100. Because half the final mark is already fixed by the preliminary mark before the examination session, a weak examination performance cannot be fully offset later, and vice versa.
Can I retake the European Baccalaureate?
The source material consulted does not describe a retake policy, so candidates should not assume one exists. Anyone needing to repeat or improve results should ask their school's European Baccalaureate coordinator or consult the European Baccalaureate Regulations in the official texts.
How much does the syllabus cover in each examination?
Each examination covers the entire s7 syllabus of the subject but also assesses competences acquired in earlier years, especially s6. Revision should therefore reach back beyond the final year rather than focusing only on recently taught units.
What is the most common way candidates lose marks?
Neglecting the preliminary mark is the classic error: daily work and the Pre-Baccalaureate examinations carry half the final result. A second risk is treating s6 as a warm-up, even though examination questions test competences built in that year.
How should I organise my study time?
Start from the weighting: protect continuous coursework and Pre-Baccalaureate preparation first, since they determine 50%. Then prioritise the compulsory written papers in L1, L2 and Mathematics, and rehearse oral explanation in your second language, because the oral component requires fluency, not just recognition.
Are there fixed dates for the examination session?
A timetable for the 2026 European Baccalaureate session examinations was published on 11 December 2025. Candidates should check the official European Schools pages and their school for the applicable timetable rather than relying on second-hand summaries.