Overview
Tunisia runs selective pilot schools for high-performing pupils: pilot colleges (collèges pilotes) for gifted pupils earlier in basic education and pilot lycées (lycées pilotes) for secondary school. Entry is selective. This page is built from reference articles on the Tunisian school system, because the Ministry of Education website could not be reached when it was reviewed. Confirm the current rules, dates and number of places with the Ministry of Education before you apply.
Who can apply
Pilot colleges: the reference sources do not state an entry rule or grade. They say the pilot colleges were created from the 2007-2008 school year to give gifted pupils earlier, stronger support in scientific, literary and artistic fields.
Pilot lycées: pupils completing basic education who have passed the end-of-basic-education exam in the ninth year. Places are filled according to a variable quota.
Exam pattern
The reference sources do not give the current subjects, number of papers or marking scheme, so none are stated here. Check the Ministry's annual notice for the exact tests.
How selective is it
Reports cited by the references show how competitive entry is: about 2,653 places were offered in the pilot lycées for 2013-2014, and about 2.1 percent of ninth-year pupils were admitted to them in 2013. The number of pilot colleges was reported as 24 in 2013, and the number of pilot lycées as 23 in 2017. Current figures vary by year.
After admission
Pilot lycée pupils follow a common first year and then specialise in the second year, with extra emphasis on computing, physical sciences and English. Progression to the next class depends on keeping a general average above 12 out of 20; under the rule in place from 1995, the average of the core subjects must be at least 12 out of 20 and the general average at least 13 out of 20. Pupils who fall short must choose another public school.
FAQs
How do pupils get into a pilot lycée?
They must pass the exam at the end of basic education in the ninth year. Places are limited and filled by a variable quota, and only a small share of ninth-year pupils is admitted, so a pass alone does not guarantee a place.
Where do I find this year's dates?
In the notice from the Tunisian Ministry of Education. The dates are not given in the reference sources used here.