The countdown has officially begun for the June 2026 baccalaureate exams. The team responsible for drawing up the exam papers has been placed in quarantine, under strict supervision designed to safeguard confidentiality until exam day.
While candidates enter their final weeks of classes before the intensive revision phase, the staff in charge of designing, proofreading, supervising and printing the exam papers has been fully isolated for 45 days, starting last Wednesday. Composed of carefully selected national education inspectors, this group is distinguished by its high level of qualification and substantial experience in overseeing official examinations. As standard procedure requires, its members are cut off from any contact with the outside world to prevent leaks.
The imposed quarantine aims to prevent any disclosure or attempt to leak the subjects. It is part of a broader logic of transparency and rigour, reinforced following the 2016 session, when massive leaks on social networks seriously undermined the credibility of the exam and led to an emergency second sitting being organized by the highest authorities.
This critical stage is intended to guarantee a flawless exam, conducted under conditions of fairness and transparency. “Reserve” questions are also prepared as a precaution in case of unforeseen circumstances.
Overseeing the launch of this operation, the Minister of National Education, Mohamed Seghir Saâdaoui, underlined the heavy responsibility falling on this group of experts, meticulously selected to ensure the credibility and integrity of the baccalaureate. On content, he sought to reassure, stating that the subjects will strictly adhere to the syllabi taught during the school year and will be designed to take into account the varying levels of candidates, with the aim of allowing diligent students to fully demonstrate their knowledge.
The working group has multiple tasks ahead of it. It will review the questions—across all streams and specializations—prepared by specialized commissions during regional seminars, checking their alignment with the annual school programmes to ensure equal opportunity for all candidates and to confirm that the papers are free from errors.
Any detected errors will be corrected immediately before the printing stage, which takes place exclusively at the press of the National Office for Examinations and Competitions (ONEC). Later on, the papers are sent sealed in bags to the different examination centres, under the escort of security forces, and the quarantine of the team is lifted on the afternoon of the last baccalaureate day, one hour after the last exam session has begun.
The exam‑paper drafting team must select three questions in each subject from a pre‑prepared list drawn up by teachers since November 2025. Strict rules are in place to maintain confidentiality, and inspectors will not be allowed to leave their premises except on the final exam day.