Summary
Highlights
The French Leaving Certificate exam is worth 400 marks, with 100 marks already completed through the oral exam. The listening section accounts for 80 marks, reading for 120 marks, and the written section for 100 marks. The written exam consists of two reading comprehension pieces and three written assignments.
When approaching the reading comprehension, students have 30 minutes to complete two pieces: a journalistic text and a literary text. The first step is to read question six, as it is the only question in English and may provide clues about the text's topic. After reading question six, focus on headings and subheadings. Instead of reading the entire text at once, tackle it section by section, answering questions related to each part. Use a highlighter to mark answered sections and questions visually. After answering all other questions, revisit question six, finding evidence from the text to support your answer. When answering question six, state your point in English and then provide direct quotes from the text in French. Avoid manipulating or paraphrasing the text to prevent errors.
Examiners look for specific grammar points to assess your understanding of French. These include pronominal verbs (reflexive verbs with 'se' or 's'apostrophe'), adjectives (masculine, feminine, singular, plural), present participles (ending in -ant), possessive adjectives (e.g., 'mon', 'ma', 'mes'), imperatives (commands), disjunctive pronouns (e.g., 'moi', 'toi', 'lui'), direct and indirect object pronouns (referring to previous nouns and often indicating 'to him/her/it'), conditional verbs (ending in 'r' and imperfect endings), imperfect verbs (for past continuous actions), subjunctive verbs (crucial for higher marks due to their common usage in French), adverbs (ending in -ment), and future simple verbs (containing 'r' and future endings). Students should review these grammar points and understand how to identify them in a text.
The written section requires students to apply French grammar and vocabulary to various topics. While exam topics are unpredictable, students should prepare for broad themes like the environment, health, education, politics, Europe, culture, family, and equality. For the 40-mark question, candidates must write approximately 90 words. A five-point plan is recommended: a general statement on the theme, a first point, a counterpoint (second point), a personal point (third point), and a conclusion that links back to the introduction. The essay should be personal, spontaneous, and authentic, relating the topic to your own experiences or opinions. When writing, always make explicit reference to the question posed to ensure you stay on topic.
Examiners assess written tasks based on two main criteria: communication and language. For top marks, excellent communication means exploiting the stimulus material well, making perfect sense, and avoiding waffle. The piece should be clear, concise, and appropriate in register (e.g., formal for formal essays, informal for diaries). For language, top marks require idiomatic French, a rich and varied vocabulary, and complex grammatical structures like the subjunctive. To improve language scores, avoid repetitive vocabulary and practice complex grammar. Agreement rules (e.g., adjective agreement with nouns, verb conjugation) are critical; errors in these areas will lead to mark deductions.
On exam day, dedicate the first 15 minutes to planning your written pieces. Create a mind map for each of the three chosen questions, noting down key themes and phrases. Do not start writing immediately. Once your plan is complete, move on to the reading comprehension, spending 30 minutes on it. Allocate 20 minutes for each of the three written pieces. This ensures an hour for reading and an hour for writing, with 15 minutes for planning and 15 minutes for review at the end. During the review, check for grammatical agreement, correct verb usage, and spelling. For the listening section, if an answer sounds correct, it probably is, but ensure you understand what the question is asking.