French Brevet / Lycees (5eme)

[Earlyhours]

I have recently moved to France. For a variety of reasons the move was brought forward quite suddenly and I am not yet up to speed with the French education system.
My son is turning 14 and as such entering 3eme, the Brevet year in Sept. He has beginner level French currently but learning quickly.
I would really appreciate any advice from anyone here on how I could use the summer months to help him prepare for the year ahead.
I am afraid I also have a really limited understanding of the Brevet, it looks as though it is not in all subjects, only what we would call core subjects.
I have heard that there are different Baccalaureate but need to research that. If the Bac selected is on subjects that are not in the Brevet are there other entry requirements?
Thanks for all help, trying not to panic here as the move was necessary and hoping to use the summer productively if son cooperative!

He'll probably end up redoubling, OP. Which will give him the extra time to fully get to grips with the language.
I remember school being quite gruelling with the hours and amount of homework, the Brevet was easy! Probably because of the standard of work we had to do anyway.

My child sits their Brevet tomorrow and all their schooling has been here in France. I would agree with what some of the folks here said in that unless your son is super rapid and gifted at languages, then start him in 4ème to give him time to get his French to a decent level and adapt to life in French collège. For all those saying how unimportant the Brevet is (?! the kids' first official exams, so pretty important quand même....) you still want your son to be able to pass it comfortably and be ready for Lycée. All the best for him at his new collège........and also to all the 3èmes for tomorrow and Tuesday exams.

Thanks Tralahlah and good luck to your child and all the others doing exams this week.

Just saw your thread, in case your school does it, there is an international option (option American) you can do with the brevet - you get an extra oral in English and a history paper in English.

Gives you some extra (free) marks if you're anglophone, which might get you a better mark if you're having difficulties in french.

The point isn't just doing OK in the brevet, though, is it - it is surviving afterwards and doing as well as he might in the UK at the end of secondary school, so having the same chances for higher education etc. If a pupil's French isn't good enough for whatever reason that is very likely to lead to poor outcomes. You don't get extra time or softer marking because you are foreign. Our system has become very soft in our eyes, but it is still 'march or die' compared to the UK.

Thanks for all the comments which are informing our choices!