In the baccalaureate, an overall average of 13/20 places a candidate in the fairly good mention range, awarded between 12 and 14. This threshold meets the official success criteria, but its real value depends on what the candidate wishes to do next and the selection mechanisms that apply to their post-bac path.
Point capping by the jury: what has changed for averages close to 13
Since a decree published on December 4, 2025, jury points are capped at 0.5 points on the overall average. Jurys can no longer raise the score of a candidate below 8/20.
For a student who was around 12.6 or 12.8 hoping for a boost to 13, the margin for maneuver has decreased. The 13 average in the bac is now earned through raw scores, not through a generous rounding. This tightening mainly affects the 11.5-12.5 range, where half a point could shift a mention to no mention.
This change has a concrete effect: the averages displayed on transcripts more accurately reflect the candidate’s real level. A 13 obtained under these conditions therefore carries slightly more weight than a 13 from previous cohorts.
Fairly good mention and Parcoursup: what a 13 is worth in sorting algorithms
Parcoursup classifies applications according to criteria specific to each program. Bac scores contribute, but they are considered alongside first and final year report cards, the Avenir sheet written by teachers, and motivation letters.
For non-selective university programs (classic degrees), a 13 average is more than sufficient to secure a place. Sorting only occurs if the capacity is saturated, which mainly concerns programs under pressure like STAPS or psychology in large cities.
Selective programs (BTS, BUT, preparatory classes, post-bac schools) apply their own grading scales. A scientific preparatory class in a prestigious high school will expect averages significantly above 13. In contrast, many BTS and BUT accept applications around 12-13, provided that the scores in subjects related to the specialty are solid.
What matters beyond the raw average
Parcoursup does not only look at the overall number. The consistency between the chosen specialties and the targeted program weighs in the evaluation. A candidate with a 13 average and very good scores in both specialties will be ranked higher than a candidate with a 14 whose results are scattered.
The Avenir sheet, filled out by the class council, adds a qualitative assessment. A “very favorable” opinion on a 13 application can compensate for the gap with a 14 application accompanied by a “favorable” opinion without enthusiasm.
Scholarships and bonuses linked to mentions: the financial advantage of aiming for 14 or 16
The mention in the bac provides access to concrete advantages that go beyond simple personal pride. Several schemes reward results:
- The merit scholarship is awarded to baccalaureate holders with a very good mention (16 and above) who are also eligible for social criteria scholarships. It represents a supplement paid for three years of higher education.
- Some local authorities (regions, departments, municipalities) pay bonuses to baccalaureate holders who obtained a good or very good mention, with amounts and conditions varying by territory.
- Foundations and companies offer excellence scholarships reserved for very good mentions, sometimes with criteria related to the field of study or professional project.
For a student with a 13, moving to 14 shifts them into the good mention category. This threshold offers few direct financial advantages, except for local schemes. The real leap occurs at 16, with the very good mention and potential access to the merit scholarship.
A calculation to make based on one’s situation
A scholarship student who is torn between consolidating their 13 and trying to reach 16 has a measurable financial interest in aiming higher. For a non-scholarship student, the good or very good mention does not provide any direct financial advantage at the national level. The additional effort is then mainly justified by the image of the application in selective programs.
Continuous assessment and final exams: where to gain points when at 13
The current bac relies on two pillars. Continuous assessment represents a significant part of the final grade, calculated from the averages of the first and final years in core subjects. The final exams cover French (written and oral in the first year), the two specialties, philosophy, and the grand oral.
A candidate with a 13 average has several levers to progress:
- The specialty exams carry a high coefficient. Gaining two points on these exams has a disproportionate effect on the final average.
- The grand oral, often seen as unpredictable, allows a well-prepared candidate to achieve a high score. Methodical preparation for this exam represents the best return on investment in revision time.
- Continuous assessment plays out over time. At this stage, the first-year grades are already fixed. Only the final year averages remain modifiable.
Gaining one point in the overall average when at 13 requires targeted effort on high-coefficient exams, not a sprinkling across all subjects.
Positioning in the cohort: what 13 means in context
The pass rate for the bac has exceeded ninety percent for several years. The average for baccalaureate holders is above 12. A 13 thus places the candidate slightly above the median, but not at the top of the ranking.
With the tightening of grading introduced at the end of 2025, upcoming sessions may see overall averages decrease slightly. A 13 obtained after 2025 could be worth more than a 14 from previous years in terms of relative positioning.
The answer to the initial question therefore depends on personal context. For enrollment in a non-selective degree, 13 is a solid result. For a demanding selective program or to access the merit scholarship, aiming for 14 or 16 has tangible benefits, provided that the effort is focused on the exams that weigh the most.