Competitive exams (concours)

In short

In France many careers and schools are entered through a concours, in the civil service, teaching, the justice system and the police. The principle is the same, a number of places set in advance and a ranking of candidates. Tests often include written eligibility exams then oral admission exams. The programme is broad, and preparation often lasts several months, even a full year.

What goes on your cards

For a concours, put on cards what must be recalled, such as legal notions, institutions, dates, general-culture references, authors and the precise definitions of your syllabus. Lumi brings them back.

A study rhythm

Fix the exam date, then count down. The further away it is, the more you can space sessions (Cepeda et al., 2008). Plan one short session a day, a weekly check and two mock exams. Spreading over several months holds better than a final sprint (Kornell, 2009). See How to make a study schedule before an exam.