Exam Techniques and Skills

The four GCSE French papers — Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing — each demand specific skills and techniques. This lesson consolidates everything you need to know about exam strategies, from identifying false friends in reading to structuring a 150-word essay. Mastering these skills is the difference between knowing French and getting a high grade in French.

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Reading Skills (La compréhension écrite)

Scanning and skimming

Scanning means searching the text quickly for specific information (a name, a date, a number). Use this when the question asks for a concrete detail.

Skimming means reading the text quickly to get the general idea. Use this before tackling the questions so you understand the overall topic and tone.

Step-by-step reading strategy

1. Read the questions first — they tell you exactly what to look for.
2. Skim the text for the general topic.
3. Scan for key words from each question.
4. Read the relevant section carefully before answering.
5. Check for negatives — a single ne…pas can reverse the meaning.
6. Re-read your answer to make sure it actually answers the question.

Cognates — your best friend