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Free Practice Questions for GCSE French

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Exam Review

Key Facts: GCSE French Exam

9-1

Grading scale

Ofqual

May-June

Exam series

AQA, Edexcel, OCR timetable

3 boards

Specifications available

AQA, Edexcel, OCR

100

Free practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

AQA, Edexcel, OCR GCSE French is assessed through linear end-of-course exam papers (Key Stage 4). Coverage spans identity and culture, local national international and global areas of interest, current and future study and employment, and grading uses the 9-1 scale on 2026 specifications.

Sample GCSE French Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the GCSE French exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What does 'ma sœur cadette' mean in English?
A.My older sister
B.My younger sister
C.My cousin
D.My stepsister
Explanation: 'Cadette' is the feminine form of 'cadet' and means 'younger'. 'Ma sœur cadette' translates to 'my younger sister'. The opposite is 'aînée' (older).
2Which French word means 'stepfather'?
A.Beau-père
B.Grand-père
C.Beau-frère
D.Parrain
Explanation: 'Beau-père' literally means 'beautiful father' but is the standard French term for 'stepfather' or 'father-in-law'. Context tells you which meaning applies.
3Choose the correct translation: 'My best friend is loyal and generous.'
A.Mon meilleur ami est fidèle et généreux.
B.Mon meilleur ami est gentil et timide.
C.Ma meilleure amie est paresseuse et égoïste.
D.Mon ami est triste et méchant.
Explanation: 'Fidèle' = loyal/faithful and 'généreux' = generous. The masculine form 'mon meilleur ami' is used because 'ami' is masculine. Adjectives agree with the masculine subject.
4What does 'Je m'entends bien avec mes parents' mean?
A.I listen to my parents.
B.I get on well with my parents.
C.I argue with my parents.
D.I understand my parents.
Explanation: 'S'entendre bien avec' is a key GCSE phrase meaning 'to get on/along well with'. It is a reflexive verb commonly tested in family and friends topics.
5Which adjective means 'annoying' in French?
A.Agaçant
B.Étonnant
C.Amusant
D.Charmant
Explanation: 'Agaçant' means 'annoying/irritating'. A synonym is 'énervant'. These adjectives often appear when GCSE candidates describe siblings or family disagreements.
6What does 'Nous nous disputons souvent' mean?
A.We help each other often.
B.We argue often.
C.We meet up often.
D.We forgive each other often.
Explanation: 'Se disputer' is a reflexive verb meaning 'to argue/quarrel'. 'Nous nous disputons souvent' = 'We argue often'. This is a common GCSE phrase for family relationships.
7Which subject is 'l'EPS' at a French school?
A.History
B.Geography
C.Physical Education
D.Computing
Explanation: 'EPS' stands for 'Éducation Physique et Sportive', equivalent to PE (Physical Education) in the UK. French schools commonly use abbreviations like SVT (biology) and EPS.
8What does 'la rentrée' refer to?
A.Lunchbreak
B.Going home
C.Back-to-school time
D.Detention
Explanation: 'La rentrée' is the start of the school year in September, a culturally important moment in France. It also refers to returning to work after the summer break.
9Which French phrase means 'I would like to become a nurse'?
A.Je voudrais devenir infirmière.
B.Je dois devenir infirmière.
C.Je veux être médecin.
D.Je peux être infirmière.
Explanation: 'Je voudrais' (I would like) + infinitive 'devenir' (to become) + 'infirmière' (nurse, feminine). 'Voudrais' is the conditional of 'vouloir' and is essential for higher GCSE marks.
10What does 'le bac' mean in the context of French education?
A.A school bag
B.The school canteen
C.The baccalauréat exam
D.The school bus
Explanation: 'Le bac' is short for 'le baccalauréat', the French school-leaving exam taken at the end of lycée, equivalent to A-Levels in the UK.

About the GCSE French Exam

GCSE French is offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR as part of the UK General Certificate of Secondary Education qualification framework. The course covers identity and culture, local national international and global areas of interest, current and future study and employment, grammar and vocabulary and is assessed primarily through written exam papers at the end of the two-year course.

Exam sponsor: AQA, Edexcel, OCR. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

3-5 hours total across multiple papers

Passing Score

Grade 4 is the standard pass, Grade 5 is the strong pass (1-9 scale)

Exam / Certification Fees

£40-£80 per subject (school-set entry fee)

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

Core

Theme 1: Identity and Culture

Me, my family, friends, technology, free time, customs and festivals in French-speaking countries

Core

Theme 2: Local, National and Global Areas

Home, town, neighbourhood, social issues, environmental issues, travel and tourism

Core

Theme 3: Current and Future Study and Employment

My studies, life at school, education post-16, jobs and ambitions

Core

Skills

Listening, speaking, reading, writing; translation to and from French; grammar and verb conjugation

Preparing for the GCSE French Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Grade 4 is the standard pass, Grade 5 is the strong pass (1-9 scale)
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: 3-5 hours total across multiple papers
  • Exam / certification fees: £40-£80 per subject (school-set entry fee) Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

GCSE French: Suggested Study Strategy

1Use past papers from your specific exam board — questions follow the same style year on year
2Time yourself on full papers to build pacing for the long extended-response questions
3Build a clear understanding of mark schemes — examiners reward specific assessment objectives
4Review examiner reports each summer; common errors repeat

Frequently Asked Questions

What exam boards offer GCSE French?

GCSE French is offered by AQA, Edexcel, OCR. All boards follow Ofqual subject content but vary in the choice of set texts, optional topics, and paper structure.

When is the GCSE French exam taken?

Exams are written in the May-June series at the end of the two-year Key Stage 4 course. Most students sit the papers in Year 11.

How is GCSE French graded?

GCSEs are graded on the 9-1 scale, where 9 is the highest grade. A grade 4 is a standard pass, and grade 5 is a strong pass. Grade 7 is broadly equivalent to the old A grade.

How many papers does GCSE French have?

Most GCSE subjects have 2-3 written papers. The exact number, timing, and weighting depend on the chosen exam board. Some subjects also include a non-examined assessment (NEA) coursework component.