You see weightings everywhere, but you don’t always know which average they correspond to. A subject may be weighted differently in continuous assessment and play a different role in exams. Before drawing up your study plan, put these elements in the right order.
This guide relates to the Moroccan baccalaureate, primarily for candidates in full-time education. It does not cover the French baccalaureate. For independent candidates and those on special study programmes, please check the arrangements for your examination session with the relevant authorities.
National, regional and continuous assessment
The Unified National Examination takes place in the second year of the Baccalaureate and covers subjects related to your course of study. The regional examination in the first year and continuous assessment also contribute to the final result under the general scheme for school-based candidates. The usual weighting is 50:1TP:3T for [1][2] 25 % for the national exam, 25 % for the regional exam and 25 % for continuous assessment.
A distinction must be made between this overall weighting of the coefficients and the weighting within each average. The coefficients are used first of all to calculate the average of a set of examinations. The percentages are then used to combine the three components of the Baccalaureate.
How does a coefficient work?
A mark of 12 with a weighting of 7 yields 84 weighted points. A mark of 12 with a weighting of 2 yields 24. To calculate the average, add up all the weighted points and divide by the sum of the weightings.
You mustn’t, therefore, simply take the average of the marks if the weightings differ. And you mustn’t add the regional exam subjects to the national exam table: each set is calculated separately.
Guidance for the PC, SVT and Economics streams
The teaching guidelines consulted provide the following guidelines for the examinations [1] national exams. Always check the exact course, specialisation and official documents for your exam session: a table entitled «second Baccalaureate weightings» may also include subjects assessed solely through continuous assessment.
In the physical sciences: mathematics, weighting 7; physics and chemistry, 7; life and earth sciences, 5; philosophy, 2; second foreign language, 2. The total of these weightings is 23.
In Life and Earth Sciences: Mathematics, weighting 7; Life and Earth Sciences, 7; Physics and Chemistry, 5; Philosophy, 2; second foreign language, 2. The total is also 23.
In Economics: Mathematics, weighting 4; General Economics and Statistics, 6; Accountancy, 4; Business Economics and Administrative Organisation, 3; Philosophy, 2; Second Foreign Language, 2. The total is 21. Do not confuse this course with Accounting and Management Studies, which has different weightings. The official 2012 general economics examination paper consulted does indeed indicate a weighting of 6 for the economics programme; it serves as a historical example, not as the regulations for a [3] new session.
A comprehensive example of the national average
Let’s take a hypothetical student studying physical sciences: a mark of 12 in maths, 14 in physics and chemistry, 10 in life and earth sciences, 11 in philosophy and 13 in a second foreign language.
The weighted total is: 12 × 7 + 14 × 7 + 10 × 5 + 11 × 2 + 13 × 2 = 280. The national average is therefore 280/23, or approximately 12.17 out of 20.
Let us now assume a regional mark of 14 and a continuous assessment mark of 13. By using the unrounded national mark in the calculation, we arrive at a total of approximately 12.84 out of 20. This calculation is intended to illustrate the weighting; official results and decisions are the responsibility of the administration.
How can you use this information to revise?
Spend time on subjects with a high weighting, but also focus on the areas where you’re struggling. It may be more useful to practise a skill you can master in a subject with a lower weighting than to spend hours stuck on a very difficult question.
For science subjects, practise reasoning and setting out the steps. For economics subjects, practise analysing documents and carrying out calculations in context. For languages and philosophy, set aside time for writing: simply knowing ideas isn’t enough if you can’t organise them.
Documents to check before you get started
Collect the syllabus for your subject, the relevant candidate’s guide and your examination notification. Check the time limits, permitted equipment and official dates. The website of the [4] The Ministry provides details of the subjects covered in the certification examinations and academic information.
If you’re looking for support, have a read of this too «Online or face-to-face tuition: which should you choose?» to choose a format that fits in with your timetable. Then contact Elite Academy, stating your course and the subjects you need help with.
Preparing for my A-levels with a tutor →
→ See also: Past Baccalaureate exam papers with answers: how to use them effectively · A-level revision timetable: your 30-day study plan
