FUI - Taking the competition

Eligibility is based on an assessment of the applicant's academic record (transcripts, letter of recommendation, letter of motivation, etc.).

The Eligibility Committee draws up a list of eligible candidates based on the results of the assessment of all the applications.

The admission oral examinations consists of two scientific tests :

1. Major Subject (55 min)

   The choice of major is left to the candidate among the five options listed below. 

   • Mathematics
   • Physics
   • Computer Science
   • Chemistry

   • Life Sciences

      

2. Minor Subject (55 min)

   • For candidates whose major subject is not Mathematics: the minor subject is mandatorily Mathematics.
   • For candidates whose major subject is Mathematics: the minor subject is chosen from Physics, Computer Science, Chemistry, or Life Sciences.
      

    

Each oral examination is divided into two parts:

• The first part consists of scientific questions on the relevant discipline.
• The second part is a discussion with the candidate focusing on their motivation, scientific curiosity, general knowledge, and serves to assess their level of French or English.

Each of the two scientific oral examinations is assessed based on both scientific knowledge and motivation.
 

Following the admission oral examinations, each candidate receives a "Scientific Oral Score", calculated as the weighted average of the major and minor subject scores, each with its respective coefficient.

The "Candidate's Overall Scientific Score" is then determined using the following formula:
Overall Scientific Score = 0.75 × Scientific Oral Score + 0.25 × Academic File Score

The admission results are sent to the candidates following the admissions jury, which determines the list of admitted candidates.
This selection process ranks in order of merit the international candidates who are suitable to follow the engineering curriculum at the École Polytechnique.

Admission to the École Polytechnique is not final:

• once it has been established, prior to arrival at the École, that the candidate meets the physical fitness requirements set by the Ministry of Defence
• after verification, prior to arrival at the École, that the candidate is not in a situation incompatible with the status of student at the École polytechnique.