In science, however, the young engineers and scientists have a lot more to learn today and that in all branches of science and especially in electronics.

(SR.)] [Footnote 6363: The so-called "Grandes Ecoles" which exist today and which continue to form the French administrative, commercial and scientific elite.

They cannot be done away with since the French universities have become accessible for an ever increasing number of students since nearly 50% of the population pass their "bac" or final high school exam.

The level of this exam has decreased year after year and only the preparatory schools for the Grande Ecoles continue to insist on verifying diligence and attention.

(SR.)] [Footnote 6364: Taine expresses this in the following manner: "elle a imagine quantite de cours surerogatoires et de luxe,.." (SR.)] [Footnote 6365: This year (1892) 1750 candidates were entered or 240 vacancies in the Ecole Polytechnique, 230 for 30 places in the Ecole des Beaux-Arts (section of Architecture) and 266 for 24 places in the Ecole Normale (section of Literature).] [Footnote 6366: 1890.] [Footnote 6367: In France today, in 2000, there are still preparatory schools which, in two or three years after their baccalaureat, prepare the young applicants for the various competetive entrance examinations to the "Grande Ecoles".