Free Practice Questions for Concours PsyEN

Created by Décret n° 2017-120, the corps of Psychologues de l'Éducation Nationale comprises two distinct specialties: (1) Éducation, Développement et Apprentissages (EDA), where psychologists work in primary schools (maternelle and élémentaire) as integral members of RASED (Réseau d'Aides Spécialisées aux Élèves en Difficulté) alongside specialized teachers, focusing on early intervention, learning difficulties, child development, and inclusive schooling; and (2) Éducation, Développement et Conseil en Orientation Scolaire et Professionnelle (EDO), where psychologists work in secondary schools (collèges and lycées) and CIOs (Centres d'Information et d'Orientation), focusing on adolescent development, mental health, academic engagement, and educational/vocational career pathways.

To register for the Concours externe PsyEN, candidates must hold a Master's degree in Psychology (or an equivalent qualification) meeting the requirements of Law No. 85-772 of July 25, 1985, which legally confers the title of psychologist in France. Candidates must have completed a Bachelor's (Licence) and Master's (Master 1 and Master 2) in psychology with a mandatory 500-hour professional internship. Master 2 students enrolled in their final qualifying year are also permitted to register and sit the examination, provided they validate their degree before final appointment.

The external concours has two stages. Written admissibility consists of two papers that are common to both specialties: one on knowledge of child, adolescent, and young-adult psychology across cognitive, clinical, developmental, and social domains, and one étude de dossier on the practice of the PsyEN role within the education system (4 hours). The two oral admission tests are taken in the specialty chosen at registration (EDA or EDO): an analysis of a problem contextualising the PsyEN's action, based on a dossier of at most 10 pages that the candidate prepares and submits in advance, and an interview on professional aptitude and civil-service ethics. Note that written papers are common while the orals are specialty-specific — a distinction candidates frequently invert.

French inclusive education utilizes four key individualized plans: (1) PPRE (Programme Personnalisé de Réussite Éducative): an internal pedagogical plan set up by the school for pupils facing temporary academic hurdles; (2) PAP (Plan d'Accompagnement Personnalisé): an internal pedagogical accommodation plan designed by the school and medical doctor for pupils with diagnosed learning disorders (Dys, ADHD) without MDPH disability recognition; (3) PPS (Projet Personnalisé de Scolarisation): an official compensation plan issued by the MDPH (Maison Départementale des Personnes Handicapées) under the 2005 Disability Law, allocating resources such as an AESH human assistant, adapted computer equipment, or specialized classes (ULIS); and (4) PAI (Projet d'Accueil Individualisé): a medical protocol coordinated by the school physician for pupils suffering from chronic medical illnesses, allergies, or physical conditions requiring emergency medication or dietary adaptations.

When a PsyEN discovers that a minor is in danger or at risk of danger, professional secrecy is strictly superseded by the legal obligation to protect vulnerable minors. If the minor is at risk (neglect, familial distress, psychological vulnerability) without an immediate physical crisis, the psychologist transmits an Information Préoccupante (IP) to the CRIP (Cellule de Recueil des Informations Préoccupantes) of the Conseil Départemental. In cases of immediate danger, serious abuse, sexual violence, or severe physical mistreatment, the psychologist transmits a direct Signalement under Article 40 of the Code de procédure pénale to the Procureur de la République (Tribunal Judiciaire) and notifies the administrative hierarchy (Inspecteur de l'Éducation Nationale or Chef d'établissement).

Laureates of the concours are appointed as trainee educational civil servants (psychologues stagiaires) for a one-year post-recruitment probationary training period. This paid year alternates between supervised field practice in schools/CIOs and specialized academic training delivered in partner universities (in collaboration with the INSPÉ), leading to a specialized university diploma in educational psychology. Upon successful evaluation by a qualification panel at the conclusion of the trainee year, the candidate is formally granted tenure (titularisation) as a permanent Category A civil servant.