Free Practice Questions for Mali DEF

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Key Facts: Mali DEF Exam

Assessed areas including EPS

Arrêté n° 10-0061/MEALN-SG

18 h

Published written-paper time

Arrêté n° 10-0061/MEALN-SG

10 / 20

Normal passing average

Arrêté n° 10-0061/MEALN-SG

1–3 June

2026 written-exam dates

Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale calendar

100 English MCQs for independent DEF review across all nine assessment areas. Not an official translation or substitute for compositions, dictation, diagrams, or practical EPS.

Sample Mali DEF Practice Questions

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

1What is the simplified value of the numerical expression A = (3/4 - 1/6) / (5/12)?

A.7/5

B.5/7

C.7/6

D.1/2

Explanation: First, simplify the numerator: 3/4 - 1/6 = 9/12 - 2/12 = 7/12. Then divide by the denominator: (7/12) / (5/12) = (7/12) * (12/5) = 7/5.

2Which of the following is the scientific notation of the number 0.000408?

A.4.08 × 10^-4

B.4.08 × 10^-3

C.40.8 × 10^-5

D.4.08 × 10^4

Explanation: To write 0.000408 in scientific notation a × 10^n with 1 ≤ a < 10, move the decimal point 4 places to the right, yielding 4.08 × 10^-4.

3What is the simplified form of √75 - 2√12 + √27?

A.4√3

B.6√3

C.2√3

D.5√3

Explanation: Simplify each radical: √75 = √(25 × 3) = 5√3; 2√12 = 2√(4 × 3) = 4√3; √27 = √(9 × 3) = 3√3. Therefore, 5√3 - 4√3 + 3√3 = 4√3.

4Expand and simplify the algebraic expression (2x - 3)^2 - (2x + 1)(2x - 1).

A.-12x + 10

B.-12x + 8

C.8x^2 - 12x + 8

D.-12x - 10

Explanation: (2x - 3)^2 = 4x^2 - 12x + 9. The second term is a difference of squares: (2x + 1)(2x - 1) = 4x^2 - 1. Subtracting yields: (4x^2 - 12x + 9) - (4x^2 - 1) = 4x^2 - 12x + 9 - 4x^2 + 1 = -12x + 10.

5What is the solution in ℝ of the linear equation 3(2x - 5) - 4(x - 2) = 7?

A.x = 7

B.x = 5

C.x = -7

D.x = 3

Explanation: Expand the terms: 6x - 15 - 4x + 8 = 7. Group like terms: 2x - 7 = 7. Add 7 to both sides: 2x = 14. Divide by 2: x = 7.

6Solve the system of linear equations in ℝ × ℝ: { 2x + 3y = 12 ; 3x - y = 7 }.

A.(x, y) = (3, 2)

B.(x, y) = (2, 3)

C.(x, y) = (3, 1)

D.(x, y) = (4, 1)

Explanation: From the second equation, y = 3x - 7. Substitute into the first: 2x + 3(3x - 7) = 12 => 2x + 9x - 21 = 12 => 11x = 33 => x = 3. Then y = 3(3) - 7 = 9 - 7 = 2. Thus, (x, y) = (3, 2).

7Which interval represents the set of solutions in ℝ to the inequality -3x + 5 ≤ -4?

A.[3, +∞)

B.(-∞, 3]

C.[-3, +∞)

D.(-∞, -3]

Explanation: Subtract 5 from both sides: -3x ≤ -9. Divide both sides by -3, which reverses the inequality sign: x ≥ 3. In interval notation, this is [3, +∞).

8A right triangle ABC is right-angled at A. If AB = 6 cm and AC = 8 cm, what is the length of hypotenuse BC?

A.10 cm

B.14 cm

C.12 cm

D.2√7 cm

Explanation: By the Pythagorean theorem in triangle ABC right-angled at A: BC^2 = AB^2 + AC^2 = 6^2 + 8^2 = 36 + 64 = 100. Taking the square root gives BC = 10 cm.

9In triangle ABC, point M lies on [AB] and N on [AC] such that line (MN) is parallel to (BC). If AM = 3 cm, AB = 9 cm, and AN = 4 cm, what is the length of segment AC?

A.12 cm

B.8 cm

C.15 cm

D.10 cm

Explanation: By Thales's theorem, AM / AB = AN / AC. Substituting values gives 3 / 9 = 4 / AC => 1 / 3 = 4 / AC => AC = 4 × 3 = 12 cm.

10In a right-angled triangle ABC with hypotenuse BC = 13 cm and adjacent side AB = 5 cm to angle B, what is the exact value of cos(B)?

A.5/13

B.12/13

C.5/12

D.13/5

Explanation: In a right triangle, the cosine of an acute angle is the ratio of the adjacent side to the hypotenuse. Here, cos(B) = AB / BC = 5/13.

About the Mali DEF Exam

The Diplôme d'Études Fondamentales is Mali's national credential at the end of nine years of fundamental education. It includes eight written papers and a mandatory anticipated practical EPS assessment. This independent bank uses English MCQs for knowledge and decision review while preserving official subject names and noting skills that require separate written or physical practice.

Exam sponsor: Centre National des Examens et Concours de l'Éducation (CNECE), Ministère de l'Éducation Nationale du Mali.. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

The nine assessments and coefficients are Mathematics 3, Physical Sciences 3, Composition 3, Natural Sciences 2, Dictation and Questions 2, English or Arabic 2, History-Geography 2, Civic and Moral Education 1, and EPS 1. Official tasks include compositions, course questions, exercises, calculations, text study, diagrams, and physical performance. This English MCQ bank is an independent topic-review adaptation and cannot replace extended writing, dictation, diagram work, or practical EPS preparation.

Time Limit

Eight written papers total 18 hours over three days: Mathematics 3 h, Physical Sciences 3 h, Composition 2 h, Natural Sciences 2 h, Dictation and Questions 3 h, English or Arabic 2 h, History-Geography 2 h, and Civic Education 1 h. EPS occurs in advance; in 2026 it ran 11–23 May, followed by written papers 1–3 June.

Passing Score

At least 10/20 weighted average. A regular candidate at 9.00–9.99/20 can pass only if (3 × exam average + annual school average) ÷ 4 reaches 10/20.

Exam / Certification Fees

The regulation mentions candidate-libre registration charges, but the reviewed current official sources do not publish the amount.

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.

17%

Mathematics

Problems, algebra, and geometry.

16%

Physical Sciences

Physics and chemistry knowledge, calculations, and diagrams.

15%

Composition

Narrative, descriptive, and dissertation planning and revision.

11%

English Language Option

English text study and language use.

10%

Natural Sciences

Life and earth science knowledge and diagrams.

10%

Dictation and Language Questions

Comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and editing.

11%

History and Geography

Balanced historical and geographic reasoning.

Physical and Sports Education

Rules and safety supporting separate practical preparation.

Civic and Moral Education

Institutions, citizenship, rights, and duties.

Preparing for the Mali DEF Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: At least 10/20 weighted average. A regular candidate at 9.00–9.99/20 can pass only if (3 × exam average + annual school average) ÷ 4 reaches 10/20.
Assessment: The nine assessments and coefficients are Mathematics 3, Physical Sciences 3, Composition 3, Natural Sciences 2, Dictation and Questions 2, English or Arabic 2, History-Geography 2, Civic and Moral Education 1, and EPS 1. Official tasks include compositions, course questions, exercises, calculations, text study, diagrams, and physical performance. This English MCQ bank is an independent topic-review adaptation and cannot replace extended writing, dictation, diagram work, or practical EPS preparation.
Time limit: Eight written papers total 18 hours over three days: Mathematics 3 h, Physical Sciences 3 h, Composition 2 h, Natural Sciences 2 h, Dictation and Questions 3 h, English or Arabic 2 h, History-Geography 2 h, and Civic Education 1 h. EPS occurs in advance; in 2026 it ran 11–23 May, followed by written papers 1–3 June.
Exam / certification fees: The regulation mentions candidate-libre registration charges, but the reviewed current official sources do not publish the amount. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

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Mali DEF: Suggested Study Strategy

1Work complete mathematics and science problems on paper and show each step.

2Practise full narrative, descriptive, and dissertation-style compositions under time limits.

3Prepare dictation, spelling, grammar, diagrams, and the chosen English or Arabic paper beyond MCQ review.

4Train safely and practically for EPS with appropriate supervision; question practice cannot replace performance preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What assessments make up the DEF?

Eight written papers plus an anticipated practical EPS assessment, with nine subject coefficients in total.

Can candidates choose a foreign language?

The official paper is English or Arabic. This bank practices the English option only.

Is the DEF entirely written?

No. EPS is a mandatory anticipated practical assessment. MCQs can review rules and safety but cannot simulate physical performance.

Is this the official DEF format?

No. It is an independent English-language MCQ study adaptation; official tasks include compositions, dictation, structured answers, calculations, diagrams, and practical EPS.