Coefficients on tests

Dear Readers,

This week I will be explaining to you about coefficients on tests and exams because it can be quite confusing. It took me a while to get my head around it, but here it is.

In France, teachers have a habit of having coefficients on tests and exams. What this means, is that whatever note you get in a test, your result is put into your moyenne general depending the number of the coefficient of the test. 

For example, if you get 12/20 in a French test, with a coefficient of 2, then when your teacher goes to add that test to your moyenne generale, they will put it in twice:

(the brackets {} represent 1 test)

{14/20 (coeff.1)}, {9/20 (coeff.1)}, {17/20 (coeff.1)}, {12/20, 12/20 (coeff. 2)} 

After adding it up:

Moyenne: 12,8

Even though you've had one test where your note was 12, it gets put in twice because it was coefficient 2.

This can drag your notes down, so when the teacher says there'll be a test coming up, always remember to ask what coefficent it will be. Coefficient is the same word in French, so remember! If it's a high coefficient test, revise hard to get a good note, otherwise it may lower your moyenne at the end of the term!

Article by The Editor

Next week, I will be writing about the Brevet des Collèges. If you have any questions you would like answered on this topic, contact us at thelyceetimes@gmail.com.