The short answer
No, they don't count. The first year of the Bachaloria is a preparatory year, and its marks do not count towards the certificate. The whole total (600) comes from the second year (400) and the third (200).
So why does it exist?
The first year is a shared foundation stage for every student before they specialise. It has six core subjects (Arabic, first foreign language, History, Maths, Integrated Science, Philosophy and Logic), plus Programming, a second language and Religion. The subjects in detail
Four reasons to study it properly
- You must pass to move up to the second year. Religion needs 70%, and Programming 50%.
- It is the foundation for the second and third years. Maths and Integrated Science feed the Medicine and Engineering subjects, while Arabic and History continue into the second year.
- It tells you your track. The subject you enjoy in the first year usually points the way. How to choose your track
- It is a year to get used to the rhythm of weekly assessments before they start to count.
Making the most of the first year
- Strengthen your Maths if you are thinking of Medicine, Engineering or Business.
- Practise writing essay answers now. Half of second- and third-year exams are essays. The question format
- Try the specialised subjects before you choose. On GoBachaloria the first five videos of every second-year subject are free.
Sources
- Which subjects do you study in the Bachaloria? — El Watan, 10 September 2026
- The ministry's assessment rules for Bachaloria students — Matn News, 3 August 2026
- First-year Bachaloria subjects and seven key rules — Cairo 24, 19 August 2025
- Who studies Programming & AI in secondary school and how it is marked — youlyou, 7 September 2026