FAQ
How are the international studies organized at the lycée (OIB, Cambridge group and DSD)?
At the lycée, SIS students are divided into groups depending on which exam they are working towards: Bac OIB, Cambridge or DSD. The policy put in place in international sections, and at the SIS in particular, is to orient as many students as possible towards the OIB.
As an example, last June, over 75% of SIS Terminale students took and passed the OIB in English or in German.
- Where can I find information about the OIB Bac ?
On the web site, under the heading Bac OIB. You will also find information on the CIEP’s web site.
- or about the DSD group?
For German-speaking students, follow the link >>
- What is the difference between the Cambridge and OIB sections at the lycée ?
At the lycée the English-speaking pupils are divided into 5 levels, four "OIB" groups and one "Cambridge". There is the same division in the German section between the DSD (Deutsches Sprachdiplom) group and the OIB.
These groups only exist during the SIS lessons. The rest of the time, in the other subjects, the OIB and Cambridge students are mixed up which allows them to stay and work together. The SIS teachers are the same for the five groups.
The pupils in the first four groups prepare the OIB, which is a special version of the French baccalaureate usually taken by students in international sections. It is a demanding exam and requires a high level of work. It should only be attempted by pupils with the necessary aptitudes.
Pupils who are not totally at ease in written and spoken English, are placed in the "Cambridge group":
- The number of pupils is limited to 15 per class, which facilitates school trips and other activities. In seconde (1st year of lycée), pupils take the FCE, then in première or terminale they take the CAE, which is recognised by most English speaking universities as proof of the level of English required for university. Outstanding students can also take the CPE (Cambridge proficiency exam).
- As for the baccalaureate, "Cambridge" pupils take same exam as regular French candidates, including in foreign language. Due to their good level of English, it can be advantageous to choose English as the specialised subject (in the Bac L or ES).
- "Cambridge" pupils have as much chance of being accepted at universities abroad as those taking the OIB, given that the mention obtained for the Bac is often the decisive factor.
Teachers place in-coming pupils into either the OIB or Cambridge groups at the beginning of seconde, according to the results of the entrance test.
Since the OIB programme begins in première, it is still possible for some "Cambridge" pupils to switch into the OIB group if they are sufficiently motivated and have obtained good results in English literature and language and History and geography in their first year at lycée. This decision is taken at the end of seconde, during the end-of-term meeting of year-group teachers (conseil de classe). Conversely, pupils may only leave the OIB group to go into the Cambridge group for exceptional reasons.
- My daughter is in Première in the Cambridge group, has just passed her CAE and will go into Terminale/Cambridge. She is particularly interested in taking the Bac "mention européenne" and should have no trouble passing this exam. I understand that to get the “European” mention she needs a grade of 10 or more in the written exam and must pass an extra oral exam in history/geography in English. This corresponds perfectly to the lessons that she has in Sèvres, where she is a good pupil. This “European mention” will allow her to have a coefficient of 4 instead of 3 in English.
In order to take the bac with a «European» mention, one must be in the European Section in Première and Terminale. The international section offers the International Option Bac OIB and the Cambridge exams.
Since she is in the Cambridge group, we would advise your daughter to take English as her first extra option ("S" series) or specialized subject ("ES" or "L" series). A good mark can be very useful for obtaining a good mention on her bac, which is even more important than the «European» mention.
NB the "European" mention does not change the coefficient for English.
- What about the IB (International Baccalaureate, sometimes known as the Geneva Bac)?
The IB, a well-known international exam, is not recognized by French universities and preparatory classes. It is not offered in the SIS.
To learn more about all these concepts in greater detail, click here >>
Dernière modification le 28-08-07 par
