Competitive examination
The concours (French for meeting, Competition, co-financing, competition, competitions ) is the educational system in France, the entrance examination and the selection process for the study at a grande école. This tradition is also the current selection process for employees at institutions and bodies of the European Union feeds. A similar procedure is also applied for tenure.
In general, candidates prepare for the baccalauréat in two-year courses in classes préparatoires ( prépas ) prior to this entrance exams, set the course for careers in industry, politics and business. These classes préparatoires are affiliated to the schools. Most of them are public, some (few ) private.
The concours consist of two parts, a written part and an oral part.
In these concours candidates must primarily provide proof of their general education. Here no special knowledge is required, but a broad general knowledge, an impeccable skills ( and spelling ), a strong sense of logical thinking as well - the oral part - a stable nerves.
The system of concours is very simple: the grandes écoles of each year, the number of study places established that they offer in view of the labor market situation. Candidates who achieve the best results will be included. Example: If a school touting 200 study places are taken up by the 7000 candidates, for example, the first 200. Here, then, is not about to pass an exam, but rather to cut better than the competitors.
This system has critics and supporters. The first fault with the continuation of a caste system, others welcome the democratic procedures. Both well be right: young people from the educated middle classes are over-represented in the Grandes écoles, but there are more graduates than in the classical university programs that offer genuine career prospects.
Since 1990, the concours is not the only method for inclusion in a grande école. Even applicants with an exceptional professional career can be recorded ( validation des acquis professionnels ). Even the ENA receives such students.