French Language Exams

French Language Exams - French Exams offered

The colleges can assist you prepare for a full range of French language exams.

There are four main options;

• DELF/DALF exams,
• AF exams,
• CCIP & the TEF

The most popular exams being the DELF and TEF exam options 

You will need to have a good level of French or be prepared to commit several months to your studies in order to reach the necessary standard to sit any of these exams

Diplôme d’Etudes de Langue Française (D.E.L.F.)

The DELF is divided into two levels:

Level I - containing four units (A1 to A4)

Level II - containing two units (A5 to A6)

• Units can be taken individually in any order, and once passed a credit is given which remains valid indefinitely.
• Each unit costs approx. 46 €.
• The Level II DELF is only open to candidates who have passed Level I.
• Candidates who obtain the DELF level I should be able to understand and make themselves understood in a wide variety of everyday situations in a French-speaking environment.
• Candidates with the DELF level II will be able to operate in a more specialised area of interest (eg. economics or another academic domain)

Unit Objectives and Exam Contents:

DELF LEVEL I

Unit A1: General - General Objective: To understand and express oneself on simple topics related to everyday situations. Exam contents: Listening comprehension (15 mins); oral (role play - 15 mins); 2 written papers (letter & short essay 60-100 words, 30 mins each)

Unit A2: Ideas and Feelings - General Objective: To understand and express feelings, intentions, opinions, points of view and arguments. Exam contents: 2 orals each lasting 10 mins (or at the discretion of the Chief Examiner 1 oral and 1 listening comprehension); reading comprehension (30 mins); written paper (120-160 words, 30 mins)

Unit A3: Reading and Essay Writing - General Objective: To understand the content and function of simple written texts and to write letters of the type required in daily life. Exam contents: Oral (on a given text - 15 mins); reading comprehension (45 mins); written paper (eg. job application letter - 45 mins)

Unit A4: Linguistics - General Objective: To use the linguistic systems (phonetic, prosodic & morpho-syntactic) with a high degree of accuracy. The emphasis of this unit is on linguistic competence as opposed to communication skills. Exam contents: Listening comprehension (3 or 4 exercises) and oral (30 mins); Written comprehension and essay (1 hr 30 mins)

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DELF LEVEL II

Unit A5: Culture and Civilisation

General Objective: To understand and discuss in general terms the main features of certain cultural and socio-cultural aspects of contemporary France and of the francophone world, and to identify those features which contrast with aspects of contemporary Britain (or your country).

The candidate chooses one of six topics: Work, Institutions, Travel, Contemporary Society, Study or Modern Civilisation.

Exam contents: 2 orals (presentation of a text + discussion - 10 mins each); reading & writing (read text of 500-700 words on chosen topic and write a summary - 1 hr 30 mins).

Unit A6: Specialised Subjects

General Objective: To understand a text related to the candidate’s field of special interest or profession and to discuss its contents.

The candidate chooses one of four topics: Life Sciences (including the environment and ecology); Economics and Law; Social and Human Sciences; Mathematics, Physics and Technology.

Exam contents: Oral (report and discuss contents of text related to chosen field - 2 tests of 10 mins)

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Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française (D.A.L.F.)

• The DALF is made up of four units (B1 to B4).
• As with the DELF, credit units are permanently valid.
• Candidates are expected to demonstrate their ability to use French in both general and specialist contexts. However, whilst candidates are expected to engage in a fairly technical discussion of their chosen field, the test is one of language and not of specialist knowledge.
• In order to sit the DALF exams, candidates must have a level II DELF or (in the U.K.) a pass at French GCE ‘A’ level. (For other recognised awards, contact your local consulate.)
• It is also possible to take a DALF access test.
• Candidates who pass the DALF are deemed to be exempt from the language requirement for entry to French universities and to be able to follow a course in their chosen field.

Unit Objectives and Exam Contents:

• Unit B1: Written Comprehension: General Objective: To understand all aspects of an authentic published text on a general topic and to write detailed answers to a number of questions related to the text.
• Exam contents: Reading and Writing (résumé of text, answers to 5 questions related to the text) Total time given - 2 hours 15 mins. Length of text to be studied - 500-700 words. 
• Unit B2: Oral Comprehension: General Objective: To understand all aspects of an authentic spoken discussion on a general topic recorded on audio or video tape. Exam contents: Listening comprehension (résumé of the recorded text or answering questions on it). Time given - 30 mins max.
• Unit B3: Written Comprehension of Specialised Subject: General Objective: To understand all aspects of a selection of authentic published texts in the special field chosen and to write detailed answers to a number of questions related to the texts. Candidates select one of six topics: Law, Economics, Social Sciences, Human Sciences, Life Sciences or Mathematics & Physics. Exam contents: Reading and Writing (résumé of text, answers to 5 questions related to the text) Total time given - 2 hours 15 mins. Length of text to be studied - 500-700 words.
• Unit B4: Oral Comprehension of Specialised Subject: General Objective: To make an oral presentation on a topic related to the special field chosen for unit B3, to answer questions, and to participate in broader discussion.Exam contents: Oral (presentation of topic + discussion) Time given - 40 mins (plus 1 hr 20 mins for preparation.)

ALLIANCE FRANÇAISE (A.F.) EXAMS

Certificat Etudes de Français Pratique (C.E.F.P.) Level I

- Beginner’s level French - 125 hours of tuition (end of AF level I)

- Test consists of 5 sections:

• Written comprehension (30 mins)
• Essay writing (30 mins)
• Listening comprehension (20 mins)
• Oral test (10 mins)
• Grammatical test (20 mins)

- Exams take place every month

- Exam fees - 32 € (or 47 € if not an Alliance Française candidate)

Certificat Etudes de Français Pratique (C.E.F.P.) Level II

- Intermediate level French - 250 hours of tuition (end of AF level II)

- Test consists of 5 sections:

• Written comprehension (20 mins)
• Essay writing (40 mins)
• Listening comprehension (10 mins)
• Oral test (10 mins)
• Grammatical test (20 mins)

- Exams take place every month

-Exam fees - 32 € (or 47 euros if not an Alliance Française candidate)

Diplôme de Langue (D.L.)

- Advanced level French - 400 hours of tuition (end of AF level III)

- Test consists of 5 sections:

- Written comprehension (65 mins - 3 tasks of 40 mins, 15 mins & 10 mins )

• Essay writing (45 mins)
• Grammatical test (45 mins)
• Listening comprehension (20 mins)
• Oral test (15 mins)

Diplôme de Hautes Etudes Françaises (D.H.E.F.)

- Mastery level French - 900 hours of tuition (end of AF level V)

- Test consists of 4 sections:

- Written comprehension and essay writing (4 hrs)

• Oral test (30 mins)
• Grammatical test (2 hrs 30 mins)
• Dictation (30 mins)

- Approved by the Ministry of National Education

- Exams take place in April, June and December

- Exam fees - 64 euros for 1 option 96 euros for 2 options (or 79 euros and 111 euros if not an Alliance Française candidate)

- Approved by the Ministry of National Education

- Exams take place in February, April, June, August, October and December

- Exam fees - 64 euros (or 79 euros if not an Alliance Française candidate)

Diplôme Supérieur d’Etudes Françaises Modernes (D.S.)

- Superior level French - 600 hours of tuition (end of AF level IV)

- Test consists of 5 sections:

• Written comprehension and Essay writing - 2 options: literature or civilisation (3 hrs 30 mins)
• Listening comprehension and oral test - 2 options: literature or civilisation (20 mins)
• Grammatical test (1 hr 15 mins)
• Dictation (30 mins) and Summary (1 hr 45 mins)

- Approved by the Ministry of National Education

- Exams take place in February, April, June, August, October and December

- Exam fees - 64 euros (or 79 euros if not an Alliance Française candidate)

CHAMBRE DE COMMERCE ET D’INDUSTRIE DE PARIS (C.C.I.P.)

Certificates and Diplomas awarded by the Paris Chamber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce exams take place in Paris and 60 centres around France, as well as in 610 centres in nearly 90 countries world-wide. To obtain the address of your nearest centre, and exact examination dates, contact:

Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris

Service des Examens pour étrangers

28 rue de l’Abbé-Grégoire

75279 Paris Cedex 06 France.

Fax: 01 49 54 28 90

Email: examdfda@ccip.fr

Web: http://www.fda.ccip.fr

- Le Certificat de Français Professionnel

- Certificat de Français du Tourisme

- Certificat de Français Scientifique et Technique

- Certificat de Français du Secrétariat

- Certificat de Français Juridique

- Diplôme de Français des Affaires - I Degré (DFA I)

- Diplôme de Français des Affaires - II Degré (DFA II)

- Diplôme Approfondi de Français des Affaires

- Test d’Evaluation en Français (TEF)

Le Certificat de Français Professionnel

New entry level qualification for those wishing to get a basic introduction to French for professional purposes.

Exam consists of the following tasks:

• 1 written comprehension
• 1 written paper (total 1.30 hours for both papers)
• Listening comprehension (45 mins)
• 2 orals (30 mins)
• Fee: 92 euros

Certificat de Français du Tourisme

Requires approx. 360 hours of French

Exam consists of 8 tasks:

• 2 written comprehensions [eg.multiple choice] (1hour)
• 2 written papers [eg. letter, telex] (1hour)
• 2 listening comprehensions (1 hour)
• 2 orals [eg.role play] (30 mins)
• Fee: 92 euros

Certificat de Français Scientifique et Technique

Requires approx. 360 hours of French

Exam consists of 8 tasks:

• 2 written comprehensions (1 hour)
• 2 written papers [eg. letters] (1 hour)
• 2 listening comprehensions (1 hour)
• 2 orals [eg. reading aloud, interview] (30 mins)
• Fee: 92 euros

Certificat de Français du Secrétariat

Requires approx. 360 hours of French

Exam consists of 8 tasks:

• 2 written comprehensions (1 hour)
• 2 written papers [letter, message, telex] (1 hour)
• 2 listening comprehensions [eg. note taking] (1 hour)
• 2 orals [eg. role play] (30 mins)
• Fee: 92 euros

Certificat de Français Juridique

Requires approx. 480 hours of French

Exam consists of 8 tasks:

• 2 tests - multiple choice & varied exercises (1hour)
• 2 written comprehensions (1 hour)
• 2 written papers [eg.letters, faxes] (1hour)
• 2 orals - [eg. role play] (20 mins)
• Fee: 92 euros

Diplôme de Français des Affaires - I Degré (DFA I)

Replaces the ‘Certificat Pratique de Français Commercial et Economique’

Requires approx. 480 hours of French

Exam consists of 6 tasks:

• Test [multiple choice, fill in blanks etc] (1 hour)
• Reading comprehension [answer questions on, produce summary] (1 hour)
• Correspondence [letter writing] (45 mins)
• Translation [into and from mother tongue] (1 hour)
• Oral [interview] (15 mins)
• Oral [translation into French from text in mother- tongue] (15 mins)
• Fee: 77 euros

Diplôme de Français des Affaires - II Degré (DFA II)

Replaces the ‘Diplôme Supérieur de Français des Affaires’

Requires approx. 600 hours of French

Exam consists of 10 tasks:

• Essay [on a current economic issue] (1½ hours)
• Questionnaire [8-15 questions on commerce] (1 hour)
• Correspondence [letter] (1 hour)
• Translation [into French] (45 mins)
• Dictation [25-30 lines from newspapers] (45 mins)
• Oral [on socio-economics] (15 mins)
• Oral [on commerce] (15 mins)
• Oral [translation into French] (15 mins)
• Oral [translation into mother tongue] (15 mins)
• Oral [résumé of a text & interview] (15 mins)
• Fee: 92 euros

Diplôme Approfondi de Français des Affaires

Requires approx.720 hours of French

Candidates must hold the Diplôme Supérieur

Exam consists of:

• Writing of an in-depth paper on a commercial or economic subject
• Supporting the work in front of a panel of examiners (research must be carried out under the supervision of a CCIP approved teacher)
• Fee: 155 euros

Test d’Evaluation en Français (TEF)

• New test which assesses the fluency of non-native speakers.
• Tests GENERAL language skills (i.e. not just business related).
• Provides candidates with a performance score. It is not a diploma or certificate. (Similar to TOEFL)
• Testifies the candidate’s command of French when they apply to Grandes Ecoles, universities, companies etc.
• Consists of 3 sections: Listening comprehension, written comprehension and structure & vocabulary - 150 multiple choice questions in total - duration 2hrs 30mins.
• Also 2 optional sub-tests: Written or oral expression.
• Exams take place every month, except July and August.

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