A recent senatorial report, published at the start of the academic year, has sparked debate about the role of the French baccalaureate, a national exam that has long served as a gateway to university education. The report, authored by Senator Laurence Garnier, suggests that universities should be allowed to select students based on entrance exams rather than granting automatic access to those who have passed the baccalaureate. This proposal challenges the traditional role of the exam and has stirred controversy among political groups, particularly on the left, who opposed the report’s conclusions. The report highlights concerns about the effectiveness of the current system, noting that while French universities are selective, they often fail students after enrollment, leading to high dropout rates, especially among those who earned professional baccalaureates—those focused on vocational training rather than academic study. Minister of Higher Education, Philippe Baptiste, agrees with these findings, emphasizing that while many students continue to university after passing the baccalaureate, they often lack the necessary preparation for higher education. He has ruled out raising tuition fees as a solution but has proposed increasing state funding or introducing income-based contributions to support the system. Instead of restricting access to university, Baptiste favors creating preparatory or catch-up years for certain baccalaureate holders to better equip them for the academic challenges of higher education. However, he acknowledges that most of the proposals from the senatorial report are unlikely to be implemented in the near future. These changes, he says, are part of a long-term discussion about the future of the higher education system and the evolving role of the baccalaureate. The debate reflects deeper structural issues within French higher education, including questions about equity, preparation, and the balance between academic and vocational pathways. As the next presidential election approaches, the issue is expected to gain more attention, with the baccalaureate’s role in university access becoming a key topic of discussion.