French exam preparation
French exam preparation, from GCSE to DALF.
Four different French examination systems, four different kinds of preparation. We work out which one you are actually sitting, then plan backwards from the date.
Which route are you on?
DELF, DALF, TCF and TEF are not four names for the same thing.
This is the single most common confusion in French examinations, and it matters, because sitting the wrong one costs a term. The diplomas and the tests do different jobs, and the right choice depends on what the institution or authority in front of you asks for — always check their published requirement before you book.
- DELF and DALF
- Diplomas awarded by the French Ministry of Education. Each is sat at a single fixed CEFR level (DELF A1 to B2, DALF C1 and C2), you pass or you do not, and the diploma is valid for life. The right route when you want a permanent qualification on the record.
- TCF
- A test, not a diploma: it places you on the CEFR scale rather than passing you at one level, and the attestation is valid for a limited period. Versions exist for different purposes, including study in France and Canadian immigration procedures.
- TEF
- Also a levelling test with a time-limited result, run by the Paris Île-de-France CCI, with versions used for Canadian immigration and citizenship among other purposes.
- School examinations
- GCSE, IGCSE, A-Level and IB are UK and international school qualifications. They are graded against a specification and a mark scheme, not against the CEFR, and they are prepared for completely differently.
The examinations
French examinations we prepare candidates for.
Each qualification has its own format, its own marking and its own timetable. Choose your examination below and we will show you exactly how it is prepared for.
School and academic French
The school and academic route. Preparation is built around the board and specification the school actually follows, because the assessment objectives differ between them.
- GCSE French
- AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas and others. Four papers — listening, speaking, reading and writing, with translation both ways. Foundation and Higher tier decisions are part of the plan, not an afterthought.
- IGCSE French
- Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel specifications, with their own coursework and speaking arrangements.
- AS and A-Level French
- Film and literature essays, translation into and out of French, the independent research project and the speaking examination — where most of the marks are won or lost.
- IB French B — Standard Level
- Paper 1 written production against a text type, Paper 2 listening and reading, the individual oral on a visual stimulus, and the conceptual understandings that examiners actually credit.
- IB French B — Higher Level
- The same assessment structure at greater length and depth, with the two prescribed literary works and the extract-based individual oral built into the programme.
- IB French ab initio
- For candidates who started French inside the Diploma. Different prescribed themes, a different individual oral and a different mark scheme from Language B — prepared for as its own examination.
- AP French
- The College Board's themes and task types, including the email reply, argumentative essay, simulated conversation and cultural comparison, all timed to the real paper.
- Common Entrance and scholarship French
- Preparation to the ISEB syllabus and to individual schools' own scholarship papers.
The French national school system
For pupils inside the French curriculum rather than the UK one — lycée français, bilingual and dual-curriculum families. Different texts, different method, different marking.
Set works, objets d'étude and school arrangements differ. We confirm the pupil's descriptif and their teacher's requirements rather than imposing a generic reading list.
- Brevet — épreuve de français
- Comprehension and language work, dictée and a written composition. Accuracy, structure, timing, and the analytical vocabulary pupils are expected to use.
- Bac de français — written paper
- Commentaire de texte or dissertation, depending on the stream and the choice made in the exam room. Method is the subject: problématique, plan, transitions, conclusion — all marked.
- Bac de français — oral
- Explication linéaire on a text from the pupil's descriptif, a question de grammaire and the entretien on a chosen work, rehearsed against the real timing.
DELF and DALF
The French Ministry of Education's diplomas, sat at one fixed level and held for life.
DELF and DALF are sat at accredited examination centres, not with us. We prepare you; you register with the centre.
- DELF A1 and A2
- Short, practical papers. Frequently sat by younger candidates and by adults who want a first formal record of level.
- DELF B1
- The level at which candidates must sustain an argument and manage an interaction rather than answer prompts.
- DELF B2
- Widely asked for by universities and employers. Argued essay, structured oral presentation and defence — technique-heavy, and the level where preparation pays most obviously.
- DALF C1
- Long listening, synthesis of multiple documents and an extended argued piece under time.
- DALF C2
- Rare, demanding, and prepared for over a long horizon.
TCF and TEF
Levelling tests used for immigration, naturalisation, study and professional purposes. Results are time-limited.
Which test and which score are accepted is decided by the authority or institution concerned, and the rules change. Confirm the current requirement with them, then bring it to us and we will build the programme around it.
- TCF
- Compulsory modules in listening, reading and language structures, with speaking and writing added according to the version required.
- TCF Canada
- The version recognised for certain Canadian federal procedures — the required version and score are set by the authority, not by us.
- TEF
- Run by the Paris Île-de-France CCI, with modular papers and a score-based result mapped to the CEFR.
- TEF Canada
- Prepared for module by module, against the score band you actually need rather than a general improvement in French.
Preparation
What French exam preparation actually involves.
Fluent candidates lose marks in French every summer — for an untidy essay structure, a speaking card answered honestly rather than strategically, or a translation that reads well and scores badly. Preparation is technique work on top of the language.
The specialist is matched from our network for that examination and that candidate, with a chemistry call before you commit, a review at week six, and oversight through to the exam date.
- Translation into and out of French, marked to the paper's criteria
- Essay and dissertation structure for A-Level film and literature
- Speaking cards, photo cards and role plays, rehearsed under timing
- Listening at exam speed, with note-taking technique
- DELF and DALF production tasks against the official descriptors
- TCF and TEF module drills to a target score band
Two ways to prepare
Private French preparation, or a small exam cohort.
One candidate, one paper, one date.
A French specialist matched from our network for your examination, a programme written around your actual gaps, and scheduling that fits around school or work.
From £89/hr
See the investmentFrench exam terms currently scheduled
GCSE French preparation
Ten-week term, Saturdays, online — Autumn 2026 and Winter 2027.
A-Level French preparation
Ten-week term, Sundays, online — Autumn 2026 and Winter 2027.
DELF B2 French preparation
Ten-week term, Tuesdays, online — Autumn 2026 and Winter 2027.
£950 for a ten-week term
See dates and reserveThe evidence
What French exam candidates and their parents say.
Verified Google reviews from Learn&Co candidates and families who prepared for French examinations with us.
“I engaged Learn&Co to help my daughter boost her grade in her French GCSE. She had previously been doing well in French at school but due to staff changes her marks started to fall. There was practically a year when the French tuition was…”
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“When I was looking for help with my French DALF studies, Maria was the third personal tutor I tried and I was impressed by her enthusiasm and professionalism right from the start. After working with her for over a year and a half, I have…”
“Maria is such an inspiring and amazing tutor who helped me to achieve a high A in my French A-Level, something which I thought would never be possible. She always knew exactly which areas I needed to focus on in order to improve (something…”
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“Maria helped my son hugely with preparation for his French GCSE. He went from a predicted grade 4 to a 6 - thanks in large part to 1 hour of French each week with Maria. Maria is also a really lovely person and my son enjoyed the lessons.”
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“I had a great experience with this tutoring agency. My tutor was very good and helped me to get an A* in my French a level. They have very good resources and my tutor offered me great support. I highly recommend this agency.”
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“My tutor helped me push my IB Grade from a 4 to a 6. I would most definitely recommend. They help you identity your weaknesses and provide you with the relevant exercises to improve your french.”
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“The lessons helped me so much in preparation for my French A-Level and I ended up receiving an A* in my French exam! I definitely recommend Maria for anyone studying French!”
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Who we prepare
Trusted by families, schools and organisations.
French candidates reach us from two directions: pupils in schools that expect a grade, and professionals whose next step depends on a certificate. Both are prepared by a specialist matched from our network.
Corporate clients
Professionals sitting French and English tests
Employees at these organisations have prepared with us for language tests, official diplomas and the requirements attached to a move abroad.
Partner schools
Pupils preparing for school examinations
Pupils at these schools have prepared with us for French language papers, against the board and specification their school actually follows.
Investment
What French exam preparation costs.
Private preparation is bought as hours, used at the pace the exam date demands. The more hours you commit to, the lower the effective hourly rate — and every plan carries the identical service.
Hours of private exam preparation, delivered online and typically used at one hour a week. All prices include VAT. Face-to-face lessons in London, intensive revision courses and additional hours are quoted individually.
Flexi
4 hours
Month to month
£105/hr£420 in total
Discovery
12 hours
Up to 3 months
£100/hr£1,197 in total
Momentum
24 hours
Up to 6 months
£95/hr£2,268 in total
Mastery
48 hours
Up to 12 months
£89/hr£4,284 in total
Every private plan, whichever you choose, includes
Bespoke programmes — not lesson bundles.
- Exam and board diagnostic
- Specialist matched for that qualification
- Chemistry call before you commit
- Programme dated to the exam
- Marked past-paper practice
- Monthly progress reports
- Week-six review
- Timed mocks in the run-in
£950 for a ten-week term
Per learner, 10 × 90-minute sessions — 15 teaching hours. Including VAT. Maximum six candidates, one exam objective, one level.
Before you book
French exam preparation — your questions, answered.
- Should I take DELF B2 or the TCF?
- It depends entirely on who is asking. A university or employer wanting a permanent qualification usually means DELF or DALF; an immigration or naturalisation procedure usually names a specific test and version, often TCF or TEF, with a validity period attached. Bring us the published requirement and we will tell you which preparation you actually need.
- Do you prepare for a specific GCSE or A-Level board?
- Yes. AQA, Edexcel, Eduqas, Cambridge and the IB are all prepared for against their own specification and assessment criteria. The board is confirmed at the first conversation and shapes the programme from lesson one.
- Can you help with the A-Level speaking examination?
- Yes, and it is often where the fastest gains are. The independent research project and the stimulus-card discussion are rehearsed under timed conditions, with the assessment criteria in front of both of you.
- Do you enter candidates for DELF, DALF, TCF or TEF?
- No. Those examinations are sat at accredited centres and you register with the centre directly. We prepare you for the paper and help you choose the right one.
- How long does DELF B2 preparation take?
- It depends on the starting level, but a candidate sitting comfortably at B1 who works weekly usually needs a couple of terms to be secure at B2 under exam conditions. The diagnostic in the first fortnight makes that a fact rather than a guess.
- Is there a group French exam course?
- Yes — GCSE, A-Level and DELF B2 terms are scheduled online. Group terms run only where a cohort at the same level fills, so check the current term dates before planning around one.
Ready to work backwards from the exam date?
Schedule a chat with Maria.
Tell us which French examination, which board or level, and when it is sat. You will get an honest view of the gap and which specialist we would match you with.
Maria Toubbe
- 20 minutes
- A conversation, not a sales call.
- With Maria
- Our founder, every time — not a call centre.
- No obligation
- Advice you can use even if you never book.
20 min · video call · free
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