Bac ST2S exam-day guide
Bac ST2S · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Convocation (convocation individuelle)
Print or download the convocation sent by your académie via Cyclades; it states your centre, room, and exact times. Confirm the format your centre expects with the provider (some accept a digital copy, many require paper).
Valid photo ID
Bring the original piece of identity required by the convocation (national ID card or passport). A photocopy is normally not accepted. Check which documents your académie lists as valid; confirm with the provider if yours differs.
Black ballpoint pens (several)
At least two or three black ink pens, plus a spare. Blue ink is generally discouraged on scanned copies, and pencil is not acceptable for final answers.
Pencil, eraser, and ruler
Useful for diagrams, tables, and graphs in the sciences and in the STSS written paper. Keep them in a clear pencil case.
Simple scientific calculator
For mathematics, physics-chemistry, and biology. Check your centre's rules on programmable or graphing models; if unsure whether your model is allowed, confirm with the provider.
Wristwatch (non-connected)
Exam rooms do not always have a visible clock. A plain analogue or digital watch helps you manage time. Smartwatches are prohibited.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require a transparent container for stationery. If your centre's rules are unclear, confirm with the provider.
Water bottle and small snack
A clear bottle with no label and a snack for between papers. Check your centre's policy on bringing food and drink into the room.
Leave the phone and connected devices at home or switched off and stored
Phones, smartwatches, and earbuds are prohibited in the exam room. Even switched off in a pocket, they can be treated as fraud. Leave them outside the room if you can.
Review the paper structure and timing
Know in advance how many parts each paper has and how long you have, so you can allocate time before you start writing.
Plan your journey and arrive early
Arrive at the centre with a comfortable margin. Late arrival may be refused once the paper has started; the exact cut-off is set by the centre, so confirm with the provider.
Rest and eat before the session
A normal night's sleep and a proper breakfast matter more than last-minute cramming. Bring water and keep the morning calm.
Plan the day
Do a final pass over the programme: the STSS core (health and social systems, actors, beneficiaries, public health, social protection), plus the methods for mathematics, physics-chemistry, and biology. Focus on formula sheets, definitions, and the structure of the written argument rather than new content. Check that your convocation, ID, and calculator are ready.
Do one timed practice paper per major subject under real conditions, without notes. Mark it honestly, then list the two or three recurring errors (units, forgotten definitions, unstructured answers). Stop adding new material.
Light revision only: reread your own summary sheets and the corrections from your practice papers. Prepare your bag (pens, ID, convocation, calculator, watch, water). Check the route and the transport timetable. Go to bed at a normal hour; do not revise late into the night.
Eat breakfast, check the bag against the checklist, and leave with a margin. On arrival, find your room and seat, switch off and store your phone, and place your ID and convocation on the desk. Read the instructions on the paper carefully before starting.
Read the whole paper first, note the marks per section, and allocate time proportionally. Start with questions you can answer confidently, then return to harder ones. Show your working in mathematics and sciences; structure STSS answers with an introduction, organised arguments using precise vocabulary, and a short conclusion. Watch the clock and keep 5 to 10 minutes at the end to check units, names, and whether every question has been attempted.
Do not compare answers in detail with others; it raises anxiety and rarely changes anything. Eat, hydrate, and rest. Glance only at your summary sheets for the next subject.
Rules to check
Bring the original photo ID and convocation; the identity check is done at the start of the session. If your documents are missing or do not match, the centre decides what happens, so confirm with the provider in advance.
Phones, smartwatches, connected devices, and earbuds are prohibited in the exam room. Keeping one on you, even switched off, can be treated as fraud with serious consequences for the whole session.
You may normally leave the room only with permission and under supervision, and generally not during the first hour. The exact rules on toilet breaks and early departure vary by centre, so confirm with the provider.
Only authorised materials are allowed on the desk: pens, a simple calculator, and the documents listed on the convocation. Anything else must be stored away.
Answers must be written in black ink, in the spaces provided, and must be legible; scrap paper and drafts are not marked. Write your candidate number where instructed.
Scoring follows the national subject frameworks (référentiels) and marking grids; partial credit is given for correct method and reasoning even when the final result is wrong, so always show your working.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the paper, and do not attempt to look at another candidate's work. Suspected cheating is reported and can lead to cancellation of the results.
If you believe there is an error on the paper or a problem in the room, raise your hand and tell the invigilator immediately rather than after the session.