The drop in grades between the third year and the second year is a structural phenomenon that we observe every year. The majority of students see their overall average fall by two to three points in the first term of the second year, due to a combination of a more demanding grading scale, new subjects, and an accelerated work pace. Understanding what the right average is in general second year first requires integrating this mechanical shift before reasoning in absolute terms.
Drop in average in the first term: a reading bias to correct
A student who finished their third year with a 14 and finds themselves at 11 in November has not necessarily failed. An average of 11-12 at the beginning of the second year can reflect a very good actual level in terms of middle school. The problem arises from the fact that families, and sometimes the students themselves, compare two scales that do not have the same gradation.
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Several factors explain this gap. Assessments in high school focus more on analytical skills and structured writing than on the recall of knowledge. The coefficients change, and new subjects (economic and social sciences, digital sciences) dilute the strengths acquired in middle school.
To better understand the expectations of high school, consulting this guide on what the right average is in general second year helps to place one’s results in a realistic framework. We recommend not interpreting the grades from the first term as a definitive verdict. The real warning signal is not an average of 11, but a downward trajectory over two consecutive terms with no subject above 12.
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Average in second year and choice of specialties in first year: the link that mainstream articles ignore
Succeeding in second year is not just about passing to first year. The second year primarily serves to prepare a coherent profile for the choice of specialties. The three specialty subjects chosen at the end of second year determine access to selective higher education pathways.
A student aiming for health studies (PASS or LAS) needs solid performance in scientific subjects from second year. Recent guidance documents indicate that a competitive level for these pathways requires at least a 14 overall average in final year, with 15 to 16 in scientific specialties. This means that in second year, a global 12 with a 14 in math and biology constitutes a better signal than a homogeneous 13.5 without identifiable strengths.
How to read grades by subject rather than by overall average
The overall average is a convenient indicator, but it masks disparities. We regularly observe files with a 12.5 average where the student excels in subjects related to their project (15 in physics-chemistry, 14 in math) while being penalized by a low grade in PE or a foreign language.
To arbitrate the choice of specialties, class councils examine results subject by subject. A student who is torn between the specialty of history-geography, geopolitics, and political science (HGGSP) and the SES specialty benefits from comparing their grades in these two fields rather than monitoring their overall average.
- Identify the two or three subjects in which progress is consistent over the three terms, not just those where the grade is the highest
- Ensure that the targeted subjects in specialty show a grade above the class average, indicating that the relative level is solid
- Cross-reference results with the expectations of post-bac programs available on Parcoursup, which detail the sought-after skills
The second year school file is already counted on Parcoursup
Second year grades are included in the Parcoursup file sent to higher education programs. This often-unknown point changes the game. The second year is no longer an acclimatization year without consequences for the rest of the path.
Parcoursup displays averages by subject and the comments from the second, first, and final year report cards. Selective programs (preparatory classes, certain limited-capacity licenses, BUT) use these elements to rank applications. A second year with low grades but clear progress in first and final year remains positively interpretable, provided the trend is clear.
What selective programs look for in the second year report card
Comments are as important as the numbers. A “serious student, showing constant progress, who participates actively” weighs more than an extra half-point in average. Behavior and investment in class are criteria for selection in their own right, especially for preparatory classes and post-bac schools.
We observe that students who score between 12 and 14 in second year with positive comments find themselves in a comfortable position for the future, provided their choice of specialties aligns with their project.
Average thresholds in second year: concrete benchmarks by orientation goal
Rather than seeking a universal “good average,” we recommend reasoning in stages linked to post-bac projects.
- Non-selective pathways (general university licenses): an average around 10-11 is sufficient to validate the passage and build a acceptable file, provided there is progress in first year
- Moderately selective pathways (BUT, certain limited-capacity licenses, post-bac business schools): aim for a 12-13 overall average with at least one strong subject above 14
- Highly selective pathways (CPGE, PASS/LAS, double licenses): a baseline around 14 in second year with solid scientific specialties places the student on a coherent trajectory
- Artistic or sports pathways: the overall average weighs less than the specific file (portfolio, sports results), but staying above 10-11 is still expected
These benchmarks are not official thresholds. No regulatory text sets a minimum average for passing to general first year. The decision rests with the class council, which assesses the student’s ability to follow the chosen specialty subjects.
The second year remains a year of construction, not selection. A student with an average of 11 who understands the mechanism of grade drops, chooses their specialties based on their disciplinary results, and takes care of their comments has all the levers to build a solid file by the time they reach final year. The trajectory over three years counts more than a quarterly snapshot.