Bac Philosophie exam-day guide
Bac Philosophie · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation / convocation notice
Bring the exam convocation (convocation) issued by your académie or exam centre. It states the centre address, the session times, and your candidate number. If you have not received it, check your académie's online services or ask your school's vie scolaire office; confirm with the provider how you receive it in your académie.
Official photo ID
Bring a valid national identity document with a photograph (carte nationale d'identité, passeport, or, for foreign candidates, a residence permit or passport). Check the expiry date before the exam; an expired document may be refused. Confirm with the provider which documents your centre accepts.
Black or blue ink pens (plus spares)
Bring at least two black or blue ballpoint pens that you have tested. Write only in black or blue ink on the copies; other colours and pencil are generally not accepted for the final script. Confirm with the provider if you have a special accommodation.
Spare pens, pencil, eraser, and a small ruler
Include a pencil and eraser for rough notes and a small ruler if you like to underline. Rough work belongs on the designated draft paper or in the margins; the final answer must be legible and in ink.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require a transparent pencil case or bag so invigilators can check contents quickly. If you are unsure, bring a transparent one; it is never penalised. Confirm with the provider for your centre.
Wristwatch (no smart features)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A simple analogue or digital watch without connectivity is useful for pacing the four hours. Smart watches and phones must be switched off and stored away.
Water bottle and a light snack
A four-hour written exam is long. Bring a clear water bottle (labels removed if the centre requires it) and a small snack for before or after the session. Check whether your centre allows drinks on the desk; confirm with the provider.
No phone, no connected devices
Leave your phone switched off and in your bag, or better, do not bring it into the room. Any ringing, vibrating, or visible device can be treated as fraud, even if unused. Confirm with the provider how devices are stored at your centre.
Review the four-hour structure of the épreuve
The philosophy paper is a single four-hour written exam. You choose one subject among two dissertation topics and one text explanation (explication de texte). Decide in advance how you will allocate reading, planning, drafting, and proofreading time.
Know the scoring logic
The paper is marked out of 20. Marks reward a clear problem, a structured argument, precise references to authors and works, and correct French. A memorised essay that ignores the question scores poorly. Confirm with the provider any specific marking guidance published for your session.
Plan your transport and arrival
Arrive at the centre well before the start time; latecomers may be refused once the exam has begun. Check the route and journey time the day before, and allow a margin for delays.
Confirm accommodations if applicable
If you have an approved aménagement (for example extra time or a separate room), confirm in advance with your centre how it will be applied and bring any document the centre requires. Confirm with the provider the exact procedure.
Plan the day
Consolidate, do not cram. Re-read your own summary sheets for the main authors and concepts on the programme, and make a one-page list of works you can cite accurately (author, title, and the idea you will use). Practise choosing a subject quickly: take two past subjects and, in ten minutes each, write only the problem and plan, not the essay.
Do one timed dry run of the first 45 minutes: read the three subjects, choose one, identify the problem, and write a detailed plan. Then check your timing against the four-hour structure. Review the method for explication de texte: locate the thesis, the movement of the argument, and the key concepts, then plan a commentary that follows the text.
Prepare logistics: pack your convocation, ID, pens, watch, water, and snack in one bag. Check the centre address and journey time. Stop heavy revision in the evening, eat normally, and sleep. Re-read only your one-page citation list and your method checklist.
Eat a proper breakfast, arrive at the centre with margin, and keep your phone off and stored. Before entering, remind yourself of the plan: read all subjects, choose, define the problem, build a structured plan, then write. Do not discuss the programme with other candidates in a way that unsettles you.
Read all three subjects carefully. Choose the one where you can build a genuine problem, not the one that merely looks familiar. Underline the key terms of the subject and define them. For the explication de texte, read the passage twice and mark its structure.
Write a detailed plan: a clear problem, two or three parts with arguments and examples, and a conclusion that answers the question. For the commentary, plan a structure that follows the text's movement rather than a generic essay. A solid plan prevents mid-essay drift.
Write in black or blue ink, legibly, with clear paragraph breaks. Introduce each part, use precise references, and connect ideas with explicit reasoning. Leave margins for corrections. Watch the clock at each part so you do not run out of time before the conclusion.
Proofread: check the subject is actually answered, the conclusion responds to the problem, references are accurate, and spelling and grammar are correct. Correct errors neatly; do not rewrite whole passages. Make sure your name and candidate details are filled in as instructed.
Rules to check
Identity: you must present your convocation and a valid photo ID when entering the room. Candidates without the required documents may be refused entry. Confirm with the provider the exact list of accepted documents for your centre.
Conduct: silence is required once the exam begins. Communicating with other candidates, exchanging papers, or using unauthorised material is treated as fraud and can lead to disqualification. Follow the invigilators' instructions at all times.
Devices: phones and all connected devices must be switched off and stored out of reach. A device that rings or is visible during the exam can be treated as cheating, even if you did not use it. Confirm with the provider how devices are handled at your centre.
Timing and lateness: the philosophy paper lasts four hours. Arrive before the start; latecomers may be admitted or refused depending on the centre's rules and the time elapsed. Confirm with the provider the lateness policy for your centre.
Leaving the room: you generally cannot leave before a minimum time has elapsed, and you may not leave and re-enter during the exam. If you need to leave briefly for health reasons, an invigilator will accompany you; confirm with the provider the exact procedure.
Materials: write only in black or blue ink on the official copies, and use only the paper provided. Draft paper and copies are collected at the end; do not remove any exam material from the room.
Scoring: the paper is marked out of 20 by examiners applying the national philosophy programme. Marks reward a clear problem, structured argument, accurate references, and correct French. There is no penalty for a wrong guess because there are no multiple-choice items; confirm with the provider any published marking guidance.
Accommodations: approved aménagements are applied according to the centre's organisation. Tell the invigilator at the start if your accommodation is not in place, and confirm with the provider in advance how it will be arranged.