European Baccalaureate Other National Language (ONL) cheat sheet

Language 1 (L1) is the student's own language and is examined in the written and oral components of the European Baccalaureate; the written paper carries the greater weighting and the oral is conducted by an external examiner together with the class teacher.

Written L1 tasks typically combine a comprehension or analysis exercise on an unseen text with a structured production task (argumentative essay, commentary, or textual analysis); marks are distributed across content, organisation, and language accuracy.

Oral L1 assessment is based on a text or work studied in class: the candidate presents, then answers questions; criteria cover comprehension, interpretation, fluency, and interaction, not merely pronunciation.

Marking criteria are published in the Baccalaureate regulations and are typically four to five descriptors per skill (e.g. understanding, structure, vocabulary, grammar, register); candidates should map each paragraph of a draft to a descriptor.

Register and text-type conventions are examinable: a formal letter, an editorial, and a literary commentary each require different openings, connectors, and closing formulae in L1.

Quotation accuracy matters: in literary commentary, citing an author requires exact wording and a page or chapter reference where the set text is known; paraphrased or invented quotations lose credit.

Time allocation rule of thumb: spend roughly one quarter of the writing time on planning and outlining, half on drafting, and one quarter on revision for grammar, spelling, and connector variety.

Language accuracy is assessed separately from content in most L1 rubrics, so systematic errors (agreement, tense sequence, diacritics or accents) depress the score even when the argument is strong.

Language 2 (L2) is studied as a foreign language and is examined in both written and oral components; the level expected is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), typically around B1–B2 depending on the section.

Written L2 tasks commonly include a listening or reading comprehension, a grammar and vocabulary exercise, and a guided production (message, letter, article, or short essay) with a stated word count and audience.

Oral L2 examination consists of a short prepared or semi-prepared presentation followed by interaction with the examiner; assessment covers communicative effectiveness, range, accuracy, and pronunciation.

Word-count instructions are part of the task: exceeding or falling short of the stated range by a large margin is penalised in most L2 rubrics, so count before finishing.

Register control is a distinguishing criterion: distinguishing du/Sie, tú/usted, tu/vous, or informal/formal address correctly is explicitly rewarded in L2 production.

Useful connector inventory for L2 writing: contrast (however, nevertheless, on the other hand), cause (because of, due to), consequence (therefore, as a result), and concession (although, even though) - vary them rather than repeating one.

Listening comprehension is read aloud typically twice; note-taking during the first reading should capture keywords and numbers, with detail filled in on the second reading.

Grammar scope commonly examined includes tense and aspect contrasts, conditional and subjunctive forms, passive voice, reported speech, and pronoun placement - check the syllabus for the specific language.

The Mathematics paper is compulsory for all students and is written without a calculator unless the syllabus states otherwise; the permitted calculator model is fixed by the school and announced in advance.

Core compulsory content: algebra and functions, sequences and series, trigonometry, exponential and logarithmic functions, differential and integral calculus, probability, and statistics; the depth depends on the mathematics course followed (3, 5, or 7 periods).

Derivative rules to have automatic: power rule, product rule, quotient rule, chain rule, and the derivatives of sin x, cos x, tan x, e^x, ln x.

Standard integrals to know: ∫x^n dx = x^(n+1)/(n+1) + C for n ≠ −1, ∫1/x dx = ln|x| + C, ∫e^x dx = e^x + C, ∫cos x dx = sin x + C, ∫sin x dx = −cos x + C.

Trigonometric identities frequently required: sin²x + cos²x = 1, sin 2x = 2 sin x cos x, cos 2x = cos²x − sin²x, and the tangent half-angle or addition formulae as needed.

Probability rules: P(A∪B) = P(A) + P(B) − P(A∩B); for independent events P(A∩B) = P(A)P(B); conditional probability P(A|B) = P(A∩B)/P(B); binomial probability P(X = k) = C(n,k) p^k (1−p)^(n−k).

Statistics: mean, median, quartiles, variance, and standard deviation; for a sample, s² = Σ(xᵢ − x̄)²/(n − 1) is the unbiased estimator, while the population variance divides by n.

Show working: marks in the European Baccalaureate mathematics paper are awarded for method as well as for the final answer, so an unsupported correct answer can score fewer marks than a documented method with an arithmetic slip.

This option is examined orally in L2 and assesses both the historical or geographical content and the candidate's ability to express it accurately in the second language; both dimensions are marked.

The oral typically begins with a short presentation on a theme from the syllabus, followed by examiner questions that probe causes, consequences, sources, and interpretations.

Historical argument requires explicit use of evidence: dates, treaties, key figures, and source provenance; unsupported generalisation is the most common cause of a low content mark.

Geographical argument requires the use of specific case studies and data (rates, indices, maps, or diagrams described verbally), plus correct use of scale and spatial terminology.

Command words in the examiner's questions signal the expected structure: 'describe' requires features, 'explain' requires causal mechanisms, 'compare' requires explicit criteria, and 'evaluate' requires a judgement with justification.

Subject-specific vocabulary in L2 should be prepared as a glossary (e.g. treaty, sovereignty, migration flow, urban sprawl, sustainable development) because imprecise terms weaken both content and language marks.

Source criticism framework: identify the nature, author, date, and purpose of a document, then state what it reveals and what it omits - this structure transfers to almost any question.

Timing rule: a typical oral lasts 15–20 minutes, so a presentation should be prepared to run 5–7 minutes and leave the remainder for questions and clarification.

Optional courses (options) complement the compulsory core; the European Baccalaureate permits a limited number of complementary courses, and the choice affects the final mark profile and the weighting of the overall average.

ONL (Other National Language) courses are available to students whose national language is not otherwise offered as L1 or L2; the examination format mirrors L1/L2 practice with written and oral components.

Science options (biology, chemistry, physics, or an advanced science course) are examined with a written paper combining multiple-choice or short-answer items with structured problems requiring calculation and explanation.

Philosophy options assess the ability to construct a reasoned argument on a set question, with explicit reference to named authors and positions; a purely personal essay without textual grounding scores poorly.

Economics options require the application of models (supply and demand, elasticity, market structures, macroeconomic policy) to given data or case scenarios rather than pure recall of definitions.

Laboratory-based science options include a practical assessment in some schools; the write-up is judged on hypothesis, method, data presentation, error analysis, and conclusion, not only on the result.

For any option, the syllabus published for the current school year defines the examinable content; topics listed as 'indicative' may still appear, so the full syllabus should be covered.

Weighting rule: optional subjects typically carry a smaller coefficient than L1, L2, and Mathematics in the final average, so a weak option damages the overall score less than a weak core subject.

Language 1 (L1) is the student's own language and is examined in the written and oral components of the European Baccalaureate; the written paper carries the greater weighting and the oral is conducted by an external examiner together with the class teacher.

Written L1 tasks typically combine a comprehension or analysis exercise on an unseen text with a structured production task (argumentative essay, commentary, or textual analysis); marks are distributed across content, organisation, and language accuracy.

Oral L1 assessment is based on a text or work studied in class: the candidate presents, then answers questions; criteria cover comprehension, interpretation, fluency, and interaction, not merely pronunciation.

Marking criteria are published in the Baccalaureate regulations and are typically four to five descriptors per skill (e.g. understanding, structure, vocabulary, grammar, register); candidates should map each paragraph of a draft to a descriptor.

Register and text-type conventions are examinable: a formal letter, an editorial, and a literary commentary each require different openings, connectors, and closing formulae in L1.

Quotation accuracy matters: in literary commentary, citing an author requires exact wording and a page or chapter reference where the set text is known; paraphrased or invented quotations lose credit.

Time allocation rule of thumb: spend roughly one quarter of the writing time on planning and outlining, half on drafting, and one quarter on revision for grammar, spelling, and connector variety.

Language accuracy is assessed separately from content in most L1 rubrics, so systematic errors (agreement, tense sequence, diacritics or accents) depress the score even when the argument is strong.

Language 2 (L2) is studied as a foreign language and is examined in both written and oral components; the level expected is aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), typically around B1–B2 depending on the section.

Written L2 tasks commonly include a listening or reading comprehension, a grammar and vocabulary exercise, and a guided production (message, letter, article, or short essay) with a stated word count and audience.

Oral L2 examination consists of a short prepared or semi-prepared presentation followed by interaction with the examiner; assessment covers communicative effectiveness, range, accuracy, and pronunciation.

Word-count instructions are part of the task: exceeding or falling short of the stated range by a large margin is penalised in most L2 rubrics, so count before finishing.

Register control is a distinguishing criterion: distinguishing du/Sie, tú/usted, tu/vous, or informal/formal address correctly is explicitly rewarded in L2 production.

Useful connector inventory for L2 writing: contrast (however, nevertheless, on the other hand), cause (because of, due to), consequence (therefore, as a result), and concession (although, even though) - vary them rather than repeating one.

Listening comprehension is read aloud typically twice; note-taking during the first reading should capture keywords and numbers, with detail filled in on the second reading.

Grammar scope commonly examined includes tense and aspect contrasts, conditional and subjunctive forms, passive voice, reported speech, and pronoun placement - check the syllabus for the specific language.

The Mathematics paper is compulsory for all students and is written without a calculator unless the syllabus states otherwise; the permitted calculator model is fixed by the school and announced in advance.

Core compulsory content: algebra and functions, sequences and series, trigonometry, exponential and logarithmic functions, differential and integral calculus, probability, and statistics; the depth depends on the mathematics course followed (3, 5, or 7 periods).

Derivative rules to have automatic: power rule, product rule, quotient rule, chain rule, and the derivatives of sin x, cos x, tan x, e^x, ln x.

Standard integrals to know: ∫x^n dx = x^(n+1)/(n+1) + C for n ≠ −1, ∫1/x dx = ln|x| + C, ∫e^x dx = e^x + C, ∫cos x dx = sin x + C, ∫sin x dx = −cos x + C.

Trigonometric identities frequently required: sin²x + cos²x = 1, sin 2x = 2 sin x cos x, cos 2x = cos²x − sin²x, and the tangent half-angle or addition formulae as needed.

Probability rules: P(A∪B) = P(A) + P(B) − P(A∩B); for independent events P(A∩B) = P(A)P(B); conditional probability P(A|B) = P(A∩B)/P(B); binomial probability P(X = k) = C(n,k) p^k (1−p)^(n−k).

Statistics: mean, median, quartiles, variance, and standard deviation; for a sample, s² = Σ(xᵢ − x̄)²/(n − 1) is the unbiased estimator, while the population variance divides by n.

Show working: marks in the European Baccalaureate mathematics paper are awarded for method as well as for the final answer, so an unsupported correct answer can score fewer marks than a documented method with an arithmetic slip.

This option is examined orally in L2 and assesses both the historical or geographical content and the candidate's ability to express it accurately in the second language; both dimensions are marked.

The oral typically begins with a short presentation on a theme from the syllabus, followed by examiner questions that probe causes, consequences, sources, and interpretations.

Historical argument requires explicit use of evidence: dates, treaties, key figures, and source provenance; unsupported generalisation is the most common cause of a low content mark.

Geographical argument requires the use of specific case studies and data (rates, indices, maps, or diagrams described verbally), plus correct use of scale and spatial terminology.

Command words in the examiner's questions signal the expected structure: 'describe' requires features, 'explain' requires causal mechanisms, 'compare' requires explicit criteria, and 'evaluate' requires a judgement with justification.

Subject-specific vocabulary in L2 should be prepared as a glossary (e.g. treaty, sovereignty, migration flow, urban sprawl, sustainable development) because imprecise terms weaken both content and language marks.

Source criticism framework: identify the nature, author, date, and purpose of a document, then state what it reveals and what it omits - this structure transfers to almost any question.

Timing rule: a typical oral lasts 15–20 minutes, so a presentation should be prepared to run 5–7 minutes and leave the remainder for questions and clarification.

Optional courses (options) complement the compulsory core; the European Baccalaureate permits a limited number of complementary courses, and the choice affects the final mark profile and the weighting of the overall average.

ONL (Other National Language) courses are available to students whose national language is not otherwise offered as L1 or L2; the examination format mirrors L1/L2 practice with written and oral components.

Science options (biology, chemistry, physics, or an advanced science course) are examined with a written paper combining multiple-choice or short-answer items with structured problems requiring calculation and explanation.

Philosophy options assess the ability to construct a reasoned argument on a set question, with explicit reference to named authors and positions; a purely personal essay without textual grounding scores poorly.

Economics options require the application of models (supply and demand, elasticity, market structures, macroeconomic policy) to given data or case scenarios rather than pure recall of definitions.

Laboratory-based science options include a practical assessment in some schools; the write-up is judged on hypothesis, method, data presentation, error analysis, and conclusion, not only on the result.

For any option, the syllabus published for the current school year defines the examinable content; topics listed as 'indicative' may still appear, so the full syllabus should be covered.

Weighting rule: optional subjects typically carry a smaller coefficient than L1, L2, and Mathematics in the final average, so a weak option damages the overall score less than a weak core subject.