1. Strategic Revision Planning

When you know that a General Culture subject has a coefficient of 3, while another subject has a coefficient of 1, you will automatically know where to focus the bulk of your effort and time. This allows you to distribute your energy intelligently to achieve the maximum number of points, instead of revising randomly.

For instance, dedicating 70% of your study time to high-coefficient subjects can dramatically increase your final weighted average, making your preparation far more efficient and targeted. This strategic allocation is a cornerstone of successful exam preparation for any competitive process in Algeria’s public and private sectors.

2. Managing Expectations and Reducing Anxiety

After the competition ends, instead of remaining in a state of anticipation and anxiety, you can make an approximate estimate of your average. This helps you form a realistic idea of your chances, whether they are high or low, and gives you psychological peace while waiting for the official results.

This proactive approach eliminates the “black box” feeling and puts you back in control. Knowing where you stand allows you to plan your next steps, whether it’s celebrating a likely success or beginning to prepare for the next opportunity available on various job platforms in Algeria.

3. Detecting Potential Errors

In rare cases, errors may occur during the calculation of results by the administration. If you know the correct calculation method and have calculated your average yourself, you will be in a better position to file an appeal (recours) supported by arguments if you feel your result is illogical.

This knowledge empowers you to act as your own advocate, ensuring that your hard work is evaluated fairly and accurately according to the officially published rules and coefficients.

1. The Mark (La Note)

This is the score you obtain in each subject or test, usually out of 20 (Note sur 20). It is the direct result of your performance in that specific test. For example, scoring 12/20 in Administrative Law.

It’s crucial to remember that marks are often the most visible part of the result, but their true impact is determined by the next concept: the coefficient.

2. The Coefficient (Le Coefficient)

This is the most important element of all. The coefficient is a number multiplied by the mark of each subject to reflect its relative importance in the final average. The higher a subject’s coefficient, the greater its impact on your overall average. A subject with a coefficient of 3 has an impact equivalent to three times that of a subject with a coefficient of 1.

This weighting system ensures that core competencies for the position are given appropriate emphasis in the final selection.

3. The Weighted Mark (La Note Pondérée)

This is the product of your mark multiplied by the subject’s coefficient (Mark × Coefficient). For example, if you scored 12/20 in a subject with a coefficient of 3, your weighted mark for this subject is 12 × 3 = 36.

The weighted mark is the true measure of your performance in a subject, as it combines both your raw score and the subject’s importance.

4. The Overall Weighted Average (La Moyenne Générale Pondérée)

This is the final average that determines your ranking and success. It is calculated by dividing the “sum of all weighted marks” by the “sum of all coefficients.”

The Equation Simplified:

$$\text{Overall Weighted Average} = \frac{(\text{Subject 1 Mark} \times \text{Coefficient 1}) + (\text{Subject 2 Mark} \times \text{Coefficient 2}) + \dots}{(\text{Coefficient 1} + \text{Coefficient 2} + \dots)}$$

This formula ensures that every point you score in a high-coefficient subject contributes more significantly to your final result than a point in a low-coefficient subject.

Example One: Recruitment Competition for Primary School Teachers (Hypothetical 2024 Session)

Let’s assume a candidate named “Amine” participated in the teachers’ competition, and the subjects and coefficients were as follows (based on previous sessions):

• General Culture: Coefficient 2
• Arabic Language: Coefficient 3
• French Language: Coefficient 2
• Mathematics and Natural Sciences: Coefficient 3
• Oral Test (after passing the written): Coefficient 1

Let’s assume Amine obtained the following marks in the written tests:

• General Culture: 11/20
• Arabic Language: 13/20
• French Language: 09/20
• Mathematics and Sciences: 12.5/20

Steps to Calculate Amine’s Written Average:

1. Calculate Weighted Marks:
   • General Culture: 11 × 2 = 22
   • Arabic Language: 13 × 3 = 39
   • French Language: 9 × 2 = 18
   • Mathematics and Sciences: 12.5 × 3 = 37.5
2. Calculate Sum of Weighted Marks: 22 + 39 + 18 + 37.5 = 116.5
3. Calculate Sum of Written Coefficients: 2 + 3 + 2 + 3 = 10
4. Calculate Written Average: 116.5 / 10 = 11.65/20

This average is what determines if Amine passes the written phase and proceeds to the oral test. Note how his strong performance in high-coefficient subjects (Arabic and Math/Science) positively influenced his final score.

Example Two: Administrative Manager Competition in the Public Service

Let’s assume a candidate named “Sarah” participated in an administrative manager competition, which requires a good understanding of laws and administration. This type of position requires high precision, and so does the method of calculating its average.

The subjects and coefficients were as follows:

• General Culture: Coefficient 2
• Administrative Law or Public Finance (depending on specialty): Coefficient 3
• Methodology and Editing Techniques: Coefficient 2

Sarah’s marks were:

• General Culture: 14/20
• Administrative Law: 11.5/20
• Editing Methodology: 10/20

Steps to Calculate Sarah’s Final Average:

1. Calculate Weighted Marks:
   • General Culture: 14 × 2 = 28
   • Administrative Law: 11.5 × 3 = 34.5
   • Editing Methodology: 10 × 2 = 20
2. Calculate Sum of Weighted Marks: 28 + 34.5 + 20 = 82.5
3. Calculate Sum of Coefficients: 2 + 3 + 2 = 7
4. Calculate Final Average: 82.5 / 7 = 11.78/20

Despite a lower mark in Administrative Law (the high-coefficient subject) compared to General Culture, its weight ensured it remained the most significant factor in her final score.

Example Three: Competition Based on Qualifications (Concours sur Titre)

This type of competition does not contain written tests but relies on evaluating the candidate’s file. Here, each element in the file is converted into points. The calculation is completely different.

Let’s assume “Karim” submitted his file for a State Engineer position in a public administration. Scoring is typically according to the following criteria (may vary slightly depending on the rank and administration):

Scoring Criteria (Illustrative Example):

• Relevance of Degree Specialty to Position Requirements: from 0 to 5 points.
• Academic Track Record (GPA of final year):
  • Pass: 1 point
  • Good: 2 points
  • Very Good: 3 points
  • … and so on up to 6 points for exceptional honors.
• Acquired Professional Experience: 1 point for each year of experience in the same field (up to a maximum of 6 points).
• Interview with the Selection Committee: from 0 to 3 points.

Karim’s file was as follows:

• State Engineering Diploma in Computer Science (perfectly matches the required position) = 5 points.
• His GPA in the final year was 14.50 (Very Good honors) = 3 points.
• He has 4 years of experience in a private company as a developer = 4 points.
• His performance in the interview was good, and the committee awarded him = 2 points.

Karim’s Total Points = 5 + 3 + 4 + 2 = 14 points.

In this case, there is no “average out of 20,” just a sum of points. All candidates are ranked according to their total points, and the successful ones are selected from the top of the ranking based on the number of open positions. This highlights the importance of building a strong, well-rounded professional and academic profile for such competitions.

1. The Eliminatory Mark (La Note Éliminatoire)

This is the trap many fall into. The eliminatory mark is a minimum score (often 5/20 or 7/20) specified in the competition announcement. If you get a mark lower than this score in any single subject, you are automatically eliminated from the competition, regardless of how high your marks are in the other subjects.

Example: If you scored 18/20 in a subject with a coefficient of 3, and 16/20 in a subject with a coefficient of 2, but you scored 4.5/20 in a subject whose eliminatory mark was 5/20, you are immediately disqualified. This is why you must give each subject its due attention, at least to surpass the elimination threshold. A balanced preparation is key.

2. Tie-Breaking Criteria for Candidates with Equal Averages

What happens if you and another candidate get exactly the same average (e.g., 12.50) and there is only one position left? In this case, the administration resorts to tie-breaking criteria (critères de départage) stipulated by law, usually in the following order:

1. Older Candidate: Priority is given to the older candidate.
2. Family Status: Priority may be given to married candidates or those with family dependents.
3. Results in Specific Tests: They may resort to the highest mark in the subject with the highest coefficient.

It is important to know these rules, which can be found in the regulatory texts of the competitions, usually published by the General Directorate of the Public Service and Administrative Reform (DGFP).

3. The Admission Threshold (Seuil d’Admission)

Passing the eliminatory mark and having a good average does not always guarantee success. Often, competitions are for a limited number of posts. In such cases, only the top N candidates (where N is the number of posts) are selected, and the “admission threshold” becomes the average of the last candidate selected.

For example, if there are 10 posts and the 10th highest average is 14.50, then 14.50 becomes the de facto passing score, even if the official minimum was 10/20. This makes the competition inherently comparative, not just about reaching a fixed pass mark.

Where can I find the official coefficients for each competition?

Coefficients, eliminatory marks, and all details related to evaluation are always clearly mentioned in the decision or official announcement opening the competition. This is published on the official websites of the organizing body (such as the Ministry of National Education for teaching competitions, or the General Directorate of the Public Service for administrative competitions).

Does the oral interview (l’oral) also have a coefficient?

Yes, in most competitions that include two stages (written then oral), the oral test has its own specific coefficient (usually 1 or 2). The average for the written stage is calculated first, then the oral mark with its coefficient is inserted into the final equation to calculate the overall final average, which is the basis for the final ranking.

I got an average above 10/20 but I didn’t succeed. What is the reason?

There are several potential reasons: 1) You may have received an eliminatory mark in one of the subjects. 2) The number of open positions may be very limited, so the “admission threshold” (seuil de réussite) was higher than your average. For example, if there are 10 positions, only the top 10 averages are taken, even if they are all above 15/20. 3) There might have been a tie, and the tie-breaking criteria favored another candidate.

Can I use an online calculator for this?

While you can find basic weighted average calculators online, it is highly recommended to perform the calculation manually at least once to fully understand the process. This ensures you can verify any result independently and spot potential errors in automated tools or official postings.

How does seniority or military service affect the score?

In some specific competitions, bonus points may be awarded for factors like years of service in the public administration (seniority) or completion of military service. These bonuses are typically added to the final weighted average after it has been calculated. The specific rules and bonus amounts are always detailed in the official competition announcement.