Piscine 42: Exam 01

Some students waste time on a level 03 they can't solve → missing easy points from level 00–01.

Scores are posted publicly (by anonymous login ID) within hours. The passing threshold varies by Piscine session but is usually around 50–60%. A low score is not the end—the Piscine has multiple exams, and improvement is what counts. However, failing Exam 01 completely is a serious warning sign. Many who fail Exam 01 either drop out or spend the following week in intense remediation.

Conversely, passing Exam 01 with a strong score (80%+) builds real momentum. You realize: I can actually do this.

If you are currently immersed in the notorious 42 Piscine—the intense, month-long coding bootcamp that acts as the gateway to the 42 Network's curriculum—then you have likely heard whispers that send a chill down your spine: Exam 01.

For many candidates, Exam 01 is the first real filter. It separates those who have been passively watching videos from those who can actually write code under pressure. It is not just a test; it is a psychological and technical rite of passage. Exam 01 Piscine 42

In this article, we will dissect everything you need to know about Exam 01 Piscine 42: the structure, the grading system, the typical subjects (such as ft_strcpy, ft_swap, and ft_putstr), and the battle-tested strategies to pass it on your first try.


Exam 01 at 42 is designed to feel impossible until it isn't. The first time you see ft_strcpy under a 4-hour countdown with no Google, your brain might freeze. That is normal. The secret is repetition.

Every single person who passed the Piscine failed at some point. Exam 01 is not a judgment of your IQ; it is a test of your persistence. When you finally see that green "Success" message will feel better than any grade you have ever received.

So, practice your pointers. Memorize your loops. Breathe. And go crush Exam 01 Piscine 42. Some students waste time on a level 03


Good luck, Pisciner. The pool is cold, but you will learn to swim.

Exam 01 in the 42 School Piscine is the first major hurdle where you prove you have transitioned from "just following instructions" to actually understanding logic

. Occurring at the end of the first week, it is a high-pressure, four-hour session focused strictly on C programming The Setup: Entering the "Examshell"

The exam takes place in a controlled cluster environment. Unlike your daily projects, you cannot ask peers for help or browse the web. Registration is Mandatory: Exam 01 at 42 is designed to feel impossible until it isn't

You must sign up for the exam event on the intranet beforehand; failing to do so means you cannot take it. Login Protocol: You log in to the machine with a special username and password, then launch the command in the terminal. Progression System:

You are given one exercise at a time. You must successfully pass a problem to unlock the next one. Key Topics and Exercises

While the exact questions are randomized, Exam 01 typically covers concepts from C00 to C01 (and sometimes C02/C06 depending on your pace):

How to pass the 42 Piscine // 42 Berlin Piscine Diary Week 4

Without more specific information about the exam, I'll provide a general approach to reviewing for an exam like Exam 01 Piscine 42:

During the exam, adrenaline will rush. You will want to code immediately. Don't. Read the subject three times. Look for: