Concours Advance — French engineering entrance examination

Participating schools and specialisations

The exam gives access to four main engineering institutions, each focused on a different technical field. These schools are independent but coordinate their selection process through the concours:

• École pour l'informatique et les techniques avancées (EPITA) — strong emphasis on computer science and core software disciplines, including applied algorithms and system design (software engineering).
• École spéciale de mécanique et électricité (ESME) — oriented towards electrical engineering and energy systems, with programmes bridging power, electronics and industrial applications.
• Institut Polytechnique des Sciences Avancées (IPSA) — specialised in aeronautics and aerospace engineering, covering aircraft systems, propulsion and related fields.
• Sup'Biotech — focused on biotechnology and life‑science engineering, from molecular biology to industrial bioprocesses.

Format, admissions and typical content

The concours Advance traditionally combines written examinations and individual interviews. Written components assess areas such as mathematics, physics, logical reasoning and foreign language skills, while oral interviews evaluate motivation and suitability for the chosen field. Exact subjects, scoring rules and the balance between written and oral stages change over time; some administrations have adopted computer‑based testing for portions of the exam. Admission is competitive and ranked, with offers made according to candidates' overall performance and the choices they indicate.

History and organisation

The selection process was established in 2011 and is managed by the group that federates its participating schools, the IONIS Education Group. Since its creation the concours has aimed to streamline applications to specialised technical schools and to provide a common standard for evaluating young applicants entering engineering programmes directly after secondary education. Over time the concours has evolved to reflect pedagogical changes and applicants' expectations, including digital registration and testing features.

Importance and distinctions

The concours Advance is notable for offering a coordinated route into several distinct engineering tracks with a single application process. For candidates it simplifies choices and reduces the need to sit separate competitive exams for each school. For the schools it provides a shared benchmark for academic and motivational assessment. Prospective applicants should consult each school's admissions brochure and the concours' official notices each year to understand eligibility, deadlines and preparatory recommendations.

Further information and school‑specific pages: EPITA, ESME, IPSA, Sup'Biotech. General concours details are available via the central information page: concours Advance.