Share of high school graduates in France 2020, by type of baccalaureate
The baccalauréat, which French students often refer to as "bac", is a diploma awarded by the French Ministry of Education after high school years. It is the main diploma that is required to pursue higher education like university studies. There are three main types of baccalauréat, the general baccalaureate, the professional baccalaureate and the technological baccalaureate. It is a standardized qualification and the examination takes place in June. Most examinations are given in essay-form which are the same for all students in a given stream.