French Baccalaureate Philosophy Exam Poses Existential Questions
On June 15, 2026, students in French high schools participated in the philosophy section of the baccalaureate exam. The prompts included: 'Do we have control over our words?' and 'Can we be happy when others are not?' Additionally, students were tasked with analyzing an excerpt from Friedrich Nietzsche's 'Human, All Too Human.' This four-hour exam, a longstanding national practice, recorded an average score of 10.8 out of 20 in 2025. Education Minister Édouard Geffray described it as 'a typically French characteristic.' Philosophy is only compulsory in the final year of lycée, and the exam consists of two essay questions and a text analysis, with a passing score set at 10; those scoring between 8 and 9.99 may retake the exam.
Key facts
- The French baccalaureate philosophy exam took place on June 15, 2026.
- Essay prompts: 'Do we have control over our words?' and 'Can we be happy when others are not?'
- Third option: analyze a passage from Nietzsche's 'Human, All Too Human'.
- Education Minister Édouard Geffray opened exam envelopes at a high school in Nogent-sur-Marne.
- Average philosophy score in 2025 was 10.8 out of 20.
- Philosophy is mandatory only in the final year of lycée.
- General track students have 4 hours of philosophy per week; technological track has 3 hours.
- The exam is the only common subject for all baccalaureate candidates.
Entities
Artists
- Friedrich Nietzsche
- Blaise Pascal
- Karl Marx
- Paul Ricœur
- Alessandro D'Avenia
Institutions
- New York Times
- Philosophie Magazine
- French Ministry of Education
- Lycée Janson de Sailly
- Lycée Gabriel Fauré
- Lycée Buffon
Locations
- France
- Paris
- Nogent-sur-Marne
- Neuilly-sur-Seine