How many papers are there in GCSE French?
Four: listening, speaking, reading and writing, each worth 25% on both the AQA and Edexcel specifications described in the Yumio exam notes.
How to revise GCSE French
French is four exams in one. This plan follows the four papers: learn the words by theme, secure the grammar, then train each exam skill.
Yumio is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to AQA, Pearson Edexcel or any other exam board.
1. Know the four papers
AQA: Four papers, each worth 25%. You sit the same tier (Foundation or Higher) for all four. No dictionaries.
- Paper 1: Listening is worth 25%: Foundation 40 marks in 35 minutes approximately, including 5 minutes' reading time; Higher 50 marks in 45 minutes approximately, including 5 minutes' reading time.
- Paper 2: Speaking is worth 25%: Foundation 60 marks in 7 to 9 minutes, plus 12 minutes' supervised preparation; Higher 60 marks in 10 to 12 minutes, plus 12 minutes' supervised preparation.
- Paper 3: Reading is worth 25%: Foundation 60 marks in 45 minutes; Higher 60 marks in 1 hour.
- Paper 4: Writing is worth 25%: Foundation 50 marks in 1 hour; Higher 60 marks in 1 hour 15 minutes.
Edexcel: Four papers, each worth 25%. You sit the same tier for all four. No dictionaries, not even in the preparation time for speaking.
- Paper 1: Listening and understanding is worth 25%: Foundation 50 marks in 35 minutes, including 5 minutes' reading time; Higher 50 marks in 45 minutes, including 5 minutes' reading time.
- Paper 2: Speaking is worth 25%: Foundation 70 marks in 7 to 9 minutes, plus 12 minutes' preparation; Higher 70 marks in 10 to 12 minutes, plus 12 minutes' preparation.
- Paper 3: Reading and understanding is worth 25%: Foundation 50 marks in 45 minutes; Higher 50 marks in 1 hour.
- Paper 4: Writing in French is worth 25%: Foundation 60 marks in 1 hour 15 minutes; Higher 60 marks in 1 hour 20 minutes.
2. Learn vocabulary by theme
Yumio has 34 vocabulary lists, from charity and voluntary work to when i was younger. Learn ten words, say each example sentence aloud, then cover the English and test yourself. Start at the vocabulary lists.
3. Secure the grammar
The marks for writing and speaking depend on accurate verbs. Work through the grammar guides in order: the present tense, the perfect, the imperfect, the future and the conditional.
4. Train each skill
- Listening: You hear each item twice, with pauses to answer. Use the five minutes of reading time to underline the question words.
- Speaking: The order is always role-play, photo card, then conversation.
- Reading: Texts include letters, emails, adverts, articles and a literary extract. Later items are longer and more abstract.
- Writing: Tell the examiner about the past, the present and the future, and give opinions with a reason.
- Listening and understanding: You never write French in this paper.
- Speaking: The three tasks are always in this order.
Yumio has lessons on listening, reading, speaking and writing skills.
5. Practise whole tasks
Sit a practice paper in the time allowed. Writing and speaking are marked as estimates against the board criteria, so use the feedback to choose the next grammar point to fix.
Questions students ask
Can I use a dictionary?
No. The notes on Yumio for both AQA and Edexcel say dictionaries are not allowed, so vocabulary has to be learned.
GCSE French hub ยท theme lessons