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Key Facts: BTS MS Exam

Level 5 (Bac+2)

RNCP and EQF national qualification level

France compétences RNCP36968 / RNCP42746

10/20

Overall passing weighted average

Code de l'éducation, art. D. 643-13 à D. 643-26

Total examination coefficients across units U1-U9

Arrêté du 24 juin 2025, règlement d'examen

120 ECTS

European academic credits distributed across the nine units

Arrêté du 24 juin 2025, règlement d'examen

4 options

Specialisation tracks: production, energy/fluids, wind turbines, lifts

Arrêté du 24 janvier 2022

2024

First examination session under the arrêté du 24 janvier 2022

Arrêté du 24 janvier 2022, art. 5

BTS MS is a French national level 5 qualification (Bac+2, 120 ECTS) certified by the Ministry of Higher Education and examined by the académies. Under the arrêté du 24 janvier 2022 as amended by the arrêté du 24 juin 2025 (règlement d'examen applicable from the 2026 session), the diploma comprises nine compulsory units totalling 27 coefficients: E8 Intégration d'un bien (coef 5, written 4 h), E7 Maintenance améliorative (coef 4, oral 30 min), and practical maintenance units E5 corrective (coef 3, 6 h), E6 preventive (coef 3, 3 h) and E9 organisation (coef 3, 2 h), plus general units. Candidates need a weighted average of at least 10/20 and register free of examination fees via Cyclades. The official examination is in French; OpenExamPrep provides a 100-question English-language MCQ study adaptation.

Sample BTS MS Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the BTS MS exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1An automated packaging machine operates for a total production run time of 1,200 hours. During this period, it suffers 6 unexpected breakdowns with repair durations of 2 h, 4 h, 1.5 h, 3 h, 2.5 h, and 5 h. What is the Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF / Moyenne des Temps de Bon Fonctionnement) of this machine?

A.200.0 hours

B.3.0 hours

C.197.0 hours

D.180.0 hours

Explanation: Total downtime for repairs is Σ TTR = 2 + 4 + 1.5 + 3 + 2.5 + 5 = 18 hours. Total operating time (temps de bon fonctionnement TBF) is T_total - Σ TTR = 1,200 - 18 = 1,182 hours. The MTBF is the total operating time divided by the number of failures (N = 6): MTBF = 1,182 / 6 = 197.0 hours.

2Over a six-month observation interval, an industrial hydraulic press experienced 8 corrective maintenance interventions totalling 36 hours of technical repair intervention time. What is the Mean Time To Repair (MTTR / Moyenne des Temps Techniques de Réparation)?

A.4.5 hours

B.0.22 hours

C.36.0 hours

D.288.0 hours

Explanation: MTTR is defined as the total duration of corrective maintenance repair interventions divided by the total number of corrective maintenance interventions (N): MTTR = Σ TTR / N = 36 hours / 8 = 4.5 hours.

3A CNC milling center has an operational MTBF = 380 hours and an MTTR = 20 hours. What is the intrinsic operational availability (D_i / Availability A) of this machine?

A.94.7%

B.5.26%

C.98.0%

D.95.0%

Explanation: Intrinsic availability (D_i) is the proportion of time a repairable system is operating under ideal support conditions: A = MTBF / (MTBF + MTTR) = 380 / (380 + 20) = 380 / 400 = 0.950 (or 95.0%).

4During the constant failure rate phase (useful life / phase de maturité) of a repairable electronic control module, its failure rate is λ = 2.5 × 10^-4 failures/hour. What is the corresponding MTBF of this module?

A.2,500 hours

B.4,000 hours

C.400 hours

D.25,000 hours

Explanation: During the useful life phase where failure rate λ(t) is constant, the time between failures follows an exponential distribution. The relationship between MTBF and failure rate is strictly MTBF = 1 / λ = 1 / (2.5 × 10^-4) = 4,000 hours.

5In dependability engineering (sûreté de fonctionnement), the traditional 'Bathtub Curve' (courbe en baignoire) plots failure rate λ(t) over time. What characterizes the second phase, known as the useful life (phase de maturité ou de vie utile)?

A.A constant failure rate (λ(t) ≈ constant) where failures occur purely randomly due to unforeseen external stresses, described by the exponential reliability law

B.A rapidly decreasing failure rate caused by the elimination of manufacturing and installation defects (infant mortality)

C.A steadily increasing failure rate caused by mechanical wear, material fatigue, and chemical degradation

D.A failure rate of zero where no mechanical or electrical component can ever fail

Explanation: The bathtub curve comprises three distinct periods: 1) Youth/infant mortality (période de jeunesse): λ(t) decreases as early design/assembly defects are weeded out; 2) Maturity/useful life (période de maturité): λ(t) remains approximately constant, representing random, Poisson-distributed failures governed by the exponential law (R(t) = exp(-λ·t)); 3) Wearout/senescence (période de vieillesse): λ(t) increases due to fatigue, wear, and aging.

6In Weibull reliability modeling (R(t) = exp[-((t - γ)/η)^β]), what physical degradation mechanism is indicated when the shape parameter is β > 1 (for example, β = 2.5)?

A.Infant mortality and early manufacturing defects (période de jeunesse), where failure rate decreases with time

B.Purely random exponential failures with constant failure rate λ(t) = constant

C.Wearout and aging degradation (période de vieillesse), where the failure rate λ(t) increases with operating time

D.Instantaneous catastrophic failure occurring immediately at t = 0

Explanation: The Weibull shape parameter β (paramètre de forme) determines the behavior of the hazard rate λ(t): if β < 1, λ(t) decreases over time (infant mortality / youth); if β = 1, λ(t) is constant (exponential distribution / useful life); if β > 1, λ(t) increases over time, indicating wearout, mechanical fatigue, erosion, or corrosion. (Note: β ≈ 3.4 closely approximates a normal Gaussian distribution).

7A mechanical conveyor roller bearing follows a Weibull distribution with shape parameter β = 2.0, scale parameter η = 5,000 hours, and location parameter γ = 0. What is the reliability R(t) of this bearing at t = 5,000 hours of continuous operation?

A.0.500 (50.0%)

B.0.368 (36.8%)

C.0.632 (63.2%)

D.0.135 (13.5%)

Explanation: By definition of the Weibull reliability function with γ = 0: R(t) = exp[-(t/η)^β]. At t = η = 5,000 hours, the ratio t/η = 1.0, regardless of the value of β: R(η) = exp[-(1.0)^β] = exp(-1) ≈ 0.367879 ≈ 36.8%. (The scale parameter η is the characteristic life at which 63.2% of components have failed).

8An automated bottling line records the following performance factors during a production shift: Availability rate D = 90%, Performance rate P = 85%, and Quality rate Q = 96%. What is the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (TRS - Taux de Rendement Synthétique / OEE)?

A.90.3%

B.85.0%

C.68.8%

D.73.4%

Explanation: Overall Equipment Effectiveness (TRS / OEE) is the product of the three independent operational rates defined by standard NF E60-182: TRS = D × P × Q = 0.90 × 0.85 × 0.96 = 0.7344 (or 73.44%).

9In maintenance management, what is the primary operational objective of conducting a Pareto (80/20) or ABC classification analysis on equipment downtime causes?

A.To guarantee that every machine in the plant receives an identical maintenance budget regardless of breakdown history

B.To eliminate the need for spare parts stock records in the warehouse

C.To identify the vital few machine failure causes (approximately 20% of causes) that generate the vast majority (approximately 80%) of cumulative downtime, focusing preventive actions where ROI is highest

D.To calculate the thermodynamic efficiency of industrial electric motors

Explanation: The Pareto principle states that a small percentage of failure causes (~20%, Group A) generates the overwhelming majority (~80%) of disruption and maintenance costs. By classifying downtime causes into ABC categories, maintenance managers can prioritize engineering resources, root-cause analyses, and preventive redesigns where they will yield the greatest reduction in production loss.

10In an FMECA / AMDEC Machine analysis, how is the Criticality Index (C / Criticality / IPR) of an identified failure mode calculated from its individual rating criteria?

A.C = G × F × D (Severity × Frequency × Non-Detection)

B.C = G + F + D

C.C = (G × F) / D

D.C = G / (F × D)

Explanation: In standard AMDEC / FMECA methodology (NF EN 60812), the criticality index (C, also termed Risk Priority Number RPN / Indice de Priorité du Risque IPR) is the product of three ratings typically scored on a 1-to-4 or 1-to-10 scale: Gravity/Severity (G), Frequency/Occurrence (F), and Non-Detection probability (D): C = G × F × D. Failure modes exceeding a threshold criticality C_crit trigger mandatory corrective or preventive actions.

About the BTS MS Exam

The BTS MS is France's national higher vocational diploma (Bac+2, RNCP level 5, 120 ECTS) qualifying technicians in industrial systems maintenance, reliability engineering and asset lifecycle management. Established by the arrêté du 24 janvier 2022 (NOR ESRS2138635A) with a first examination session in 2024, and amended by the arrêtés du 19 mars 2024 and du 24 juin 2025 whose règlement d'examen applies from the 2026 session, the qualification offers four options: A Systèmes de production, B Systèmes énergétiques et fluidiques, C Systèmes éoliens and D Systèmes ascenseurs et élévateurs. The curriculum covers statistical reliability analysis (MTBF, MTTR, Weibull, AMDEC), structured fault diagnosis, condition monitoring (vibration analysis, thermography, oil analysis), electrical safety and consignation under NF C 18-510, and CMMS-driven maintenance organisation. This OpenExamPrep bank provides an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation; it is not an official translation and does not substitute for the practical interventions and oral defence assessed in the real examination.

Exam sponsor: Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche (certifier); examination organised by the académies. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Nine compulsory units (U1 to U9) totalling 27 coefficients and 120 ECTS, defined by the arrêté du 24 janvier 2022 (NOR ESRS2138635A) as amended by the arrêté du 19 mars 2024 and the arrêté du 24 juin 2025 (NOR MENS2514038A), whose règlement d'examen applies from the 2026 session, across four options (A: Systèmes de production, B: Systèmes énergétiques et fluidiques, C: Systèmes éoliens, D: Systèmes ascenseurs et élévateurs): E1 Culture générale et expression (U1, coef 3, 14 ECTS, written 3 h), E2 Langue vivante étrangère 1 - Anglais (U2, coef 2, 8 ECTS), E3 Mathématiques (U3, coef 2, 8 ECTS, written 2 h), E4 Physique et chimie (U4, coef 2, 8 ECTS, practical 2 h), E5 Maintenance corrective (U5, coef 3, 14 ECTS, practical 6 h), E6 Maintenance préventive (U6, coef 3, 14 ECTS, practical 3 h), E7 Maintenance améliorative (U7, coef 4, 18 ECTS, oral 30 min), E8 Intégration d'un bien (U8, coef 5, 22 ECTS, written 4 h) and E9 Organisation de la maintenance (U9, coef 3, 14 ECTS, practical 2 h). Optional units cover a second modern language (UF1) and student engagement (UF2).

Time Limit

About 22 hours of written and practical assessment for candidates sitting all compulsory units in ponctuelle form

Passing Score

10/20 overall weighted average across all units

Exam / Certification Fees

No examination registration fee is published by the académies; registration is made through the national Cyclades portal. Preparation and tuition costs are separate.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

25 of 100 questions

Maintenance Strategy, Reliability Engineering & KPIs

MTBF, MTTR, operational availability calculations, failure rate lambda, bathtub curve, Weibull reliability modeling, Pareto/ABC analysis, FMECA/AMDEC methodology, and OEE/TRS efficiency

25 of 100 questions

Corrective Maintenance & Diagnostic Methodology

Structured fault-finding methodology, 5 Whys, Ishikawa diagram, Fault Tree Analysis, symptom analysis, multimeter/megohmmeter testing, oscilloscope diagnosis, and hydraulic/pneumatic troubleshooting

20 of 100 questions

Condition-Based & Predictive Maintenance

ISO 10816 vibration analysis, FFT frequency spectrum analysis, bearing defect frequencies, infrared thermography, oil contamination analysis, ultrasound detection, and laser shaft alignment

15 of 100 questions

Safety, Regulations, Work Environment & Consignation

NF C 18-510 electrical safety habilitation (B1V, B2V, BC, BR), mechanical and fluid lock-out/tag-out, occupational risk evaluation (DUERP), Machinery Directive compliance, and ATEX maintenance rules

15 of 100 questions

Maintenance Organisation, CMMS & Continuous Improvement

CMMS/GMAO work order workflows, Wilson formula for economic order quantity, spare parts management, maintenance cost structures, TPM autonomous maintenance, 5S, Kaizen, and SMED

Preparing for the BTS MS Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 10/20 overall weighted average across all units
Assessment: Nine compulsory units (U1 to U9) totalling 27 coefficients and 120 ECTS, defined by the arrêté du 24 janvier 2022 (NOR ESRS2138635A) as amended by the arrêté du 19 mars 2024 and the arrêté du 24 juin 2025 (NOR MENS2514038A), whose règlement d'examen applies from the 2026 session, across four options (A: Systèmes de production, B: Systèmes énergétiques et fluidiques, C: Systèmes éoliens, D: Systèmes ascenseurs et élévateurs): E1 Culture générale et expression (U1, coef 3, 14 ECTS, written 3 h), E2 Langue vivante étrangère 1 - Anglais (U2, coef 2, 8 ECTS), E3 Mathématiques (U3, coef 2, 8 ECTS, written 2 h), E4 Physique et chimie (U4, coef 2, 8 ECTS, practical 2 h), E5 Maintenance corrective (U5, coef 3, 14 ECTS, practical 6 h), E6 Maintenance préventive (U6, coef 3, 14 ECTS, practical 3 h), E7 Maintenance améliorative (U7, coef 4, 18 ECTS, oral 30 min), E8 Intégration d'un bien (U8, coef 5, 22 ECTS, written 4 h) and E9 Organisation de la maintenance (U9, coef 3, 14 ECTS, practical 2 h). Optional units cover a second modern language (UF1) and student engagement (UF2).
Time limit: About 22 hours of written and practical assessment for candidates sitting all compulsory units in ponctuelle form
Exam / certification fees: No examination registration fee is published by the académies; registration is made through the national Cyclades portal. Preparation and tuition costs are separate. Official sources

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BTS MS: Suggested Study Strategy

1Master the fundamental reliability equations: calculate availability A = MTBF / (MTBF + MTTR), failure rate lambda = 1 / MTBF, and reliability R(t) = exp(-lambda * t) for constant failure rate conditions

2Practice reading vibration velocity RMS spectra (mm/s): recognize characteristic frequency peaks for rotational unbalance (1x RPM), misalignment (2x RPM), and mechanical looseness (harmonics)

3Understand bearing fault characteristic frequencies: Ball Pass Frequency Outer race (BPFO), Ball Pass Frequency Inner race (BPFI), and Ball Spin Frequency (BSF)

4Thoroughly review the NF C 18-510 consignation protocol: separation, locking/padlocking, identification, verification of absence of voltage (VAT), and earthing/short-circuiting where required

5Familiarize yourself with the Wilson economic order quantity (EOQ) formula: Q* = sqrt(2 * D * S / H), where D is annual demand, S is ordering cost, and H is holding cost per unit per year

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BTS MS qualification in France?

The Brevet de Technicien Supérieur (BTS) Maintenance des Systèmes (MS) is a French national higher technical qualification at level 5 of the RNCP (Bac+2, 120 ECTS). It qualifies technicians to maintain, diagnose, optimize, and ensure the operational reliability and safety of industrial production machinery, energy and fluid systems, wind turbines, and elevators.

What are the four specialized options of the BTS MS?

The BTS MS offers four distinct options: Option A Systèmes de production (SP, focusing on automated industrial manufacturing lines and factory equipment), Option B Systèmes énergétiques et fluidiques (SEF, focusing on industrial thermal, cooling, and fluid distribution networks), Option C Systèmes éoliens (SE, focusing on onshore and offshore wind turbine maintenance), and Option D Systèmes ascenseurs et élévateurs (SAE, focusing on passenger and freight elevators, escalators, and moving walkways).

How is the BTS MS examination structured?

Under the arrêté du 24 janvier 2022 as amended by the arrêté du 24 juin 2025 (applicable from the 2026 session), the examination comprises nine compulsory units totalling 27 coefficients and 120 ECTS: E1 Culture générale et expression (coef 3, written 3 h), E2 Anglais (coef 2), E3 Mathématiques (coef 2, written 2 h), E4 Physique et chimie (coef 2, practical 2 h), E5 Maintenance corrective (coef 3, practical 6 h), E6 Maintenance préventive (coef 3, practical 3 h), E7 Maintenance améliorative (coef 4, oral 30 min), E8 Intégration d'un bien (coef 5, written 4 h) and E9 Organisation de la maintenance (coef 3, practical 2 h).

What is the passing score for BTS MS?

Candidates must obtain an overall weighted average of at least 10/20 across all compulsory units. Candidates averaging at least 8/20 but below 10/20, with at least 10/20 across the professional-domain units, sit the épreuves de contrôle (two oral makeup tests). Marks of 10/20 or higher on individual units can be carried over for up to five consecutive examination sessions.

How much does it cost to take the BTS MS examination?

Registration for the state examination through the French national Cyclades portal is free of examination fees. Candidates need only cover their own study materials, textbooks, or tuition if studying in private institutions.

In what language is the official examination conducted?

The official national examination is delivered in French, with unit U2 assessing technical English. OpenExamPrep provides a 100-question English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the technical and regulatory content. It is not an official translation, and it does not simulate the practical maintenance interventions or the oral defence of the real examination.

What practical training or internship is required for BTS MS?

Candidates in the initial school track must complete the professional internship required by the référentiel in a maintenance department or technical service provider; apprentices satisfy it through their apprenticeship contract. Workplace activity supplies the material assessed in the professional units, in particular E7 Maintenance améliorative. At registration, candidates must also supply the option-specific attestations listed in the règlement d'examen (electrical risk prevention, first-aid, refrigerant handling for option B, and work-at-height for options C and D).

What key maintenance and safety standards are tested on the BTS MS exam?

The curriculum strongly emphasizes international and European standards including NF EN 13306 for maintenance terminology, NF C 18-510 for electrical safety and consignation (lock-out/tag-out), ISO 10816 for vibration severity evaluation, ISO 13849 for machine safety systems, and standard asset management guidelines under ISO 55000.