1- Quality VS quantity
There’s no point in writing for the sake of writing; the markers will be looking first and foremost to see whether your work has added value in relation to the information we’ve given you. Spend time understanding the subject, analyse the documents and answer the questions in a relevant and original way. A small, high-quality piece of writing is better than several pages ofblather.
2- The importance of drafting
Take the time to draft your ideas. Time is allocated to allow you to come up with original/different ways of thinking.
3- Take care with legibility and spelling
Your written expression will be marked on both content and form. When you are at school, make sure that you hand in clean papers with as few erasures as possible (hence the importance of making a rough draft).
The second important point is spelling. Take the time to re-read your paper before the end of the competition. For distance examinations, use the automatic correction tools. You have an advantage over students who take the exam at the school. However, to balance the marking, the markers are harder for distance learning exams.
4- present your tests correctly
Agency brief – 2h – Coefficient 4 :
- Strategic sectors: market analysis and strategic recommendations for a brand.
- Creative courses: production of a poster, storyboard, app/site mock-up, depending on the speciality chosen.
Video player – 30 minutes – Coefficient 2 :
- You have a 30 to 40 second extract from a series/film, just before an action the video cuts and you have to imagine the end of the scene.
- You have carte blanche as to how you want to write the rest of the scene: novel, screenplay, etc.
- 20 to 30 lines.
5- Managing your time
You will receive all the written test titles by email or on the table at the start of the competition. From then on, the competition begins and lasts 3 hours 10 minutes.
The time per event is indicative, so it’s up to you to manage it as you wish.
- Agency brief: 2 hours
- Video player: 30 minutes
- Oral motivation interview: 30 minutes
At the end of the competition, you must hand in your papers as you leave the room or send them in PDF format by e-mail to the address given to you.
6- Oral motivation interview
This is a discussion with a professional who will try to get to know you, understand your career plans and your level of experience/knowledge. Their objective: to determine whether the school and training match your plans.
Your CV or Creative Book will be the essential elements to update in order to give a positive, reassuring and serious image of your profile. Talk to them openly about your projects, your passions and even your doubts. They are also there to suggest alternatives if, for example, they feel that a course would be better suited to your level or your project.
For online competitions: you will receive an invitation 48 hours before the competition with a reminder of times, tests, instructions and your interview schedule (via Microsoft Teams).
For the competitive entrance exams at the school: ditto, but you don’t have the timetable for the motivational interview. A student will pick you up and take you from the examination room to the jury room.
Our advice: after the interview, get straight back to writing because the clock is still ticking. Don’t waste time debriefing your interview(I should have answered that, I forgot to mention this experience, I wasn’t up to the job, etc.). You can think about it again once the competition is over.
7- the creative book
It’s a summary of your creations (logo, graphic charter, docs, web design, photos, video), it should show what you know how to do, what you like to do.
It enables the jury to understand your level and your background, and to determine whether the course is right for you.
There is no set format (pdf, video, website) or specific number of projects to be submitted. Bear in mind that we prefer quality to quantity.
For example, you could highlight a visual and explain the context and/or graphic guidelines alongside it.
8- Keeping watch
To become a good communicator you need to :
- Curiosity
- Imagination
Two essential ingredients to feed your mind and give you the ability to propose solutions. Monitoring means keeping an eye on traditional and communications news in order to spot trends or important subjects that could become opportunities for brands.
On the big day, this will help you come up with ideas.
9- DON’T STRESS, BREATHE, EVERYTHING’S FINE
This competition is designed to assess your level of knowledge and your career plans. We adapt our grading according to your level of education and previous experience. A candidate for the1styear who has just left secondary school and generally has no professional experience will not be judged on the same criteria as a candidate for the4thyear with 3 years of courses and work placements.
What’s more, these are tests of analysis and imagination – there are no right or wrong answers. We want to know how you see the world. Enjoy yourself and give it your all.
10- Conducting a job interview, even remotely
Make sure you’re in a quiet place with a stable internet connection. Dress as if you were coming to school. Pay attention to what appears behind you that could distract the jury.
The whole Sup de Pub team wishes you good luck for your entrance exam!.