Paper 1: Listening Overview
Understand exactly what to expect in your French listening exam. Master the structure, timing, and question types to walk in confident and prepared.
Duration
30 mins
Plus 5 mins reading time before audio starts
Total Marks
40
25% of your total IGCSE French grade
Questions
7
Multiple choice, matching, gap-fill, and more
Target Score
32+
80%+ for Grade 8/9 performance
What You Need to Know
Audio Plays Twice
Every recording is played twice. Use the first listen to understand, second to confirm answers.
Native French Speakers
You will hear various accents including Parisian, Belgian, and Swiss French.
Questions in English
All questions and instructions are in English. Only the audio is in French.
Difficulty Increases
Questions start easier and get progressively harder through the paper.
Paper Structure
Click on any question bar to see details
30-Minute Timeline
Click on a phase to see detailed tips
Timing Practice
Reading Time - 5:00 remaining
Practice Tip: Use this simulator while doing practice papers to build your sense of timing. You should aim to finish each section with a few seconds to spare for checking.
Question Difficulty Progression
These are your confidence builders. Aim for full marks here.
Most marks are here. Stay focused and use both listens wisely.
Hardest questions, but do not panic. Partial marks still count!
Focus Strategy: If you feel your focus slipping in the harder questions, take a quick breath. It is better to fully focus on 2-3 questions than half-focus on all of them.
Explore Each Question
Multiple Choice
Listen to short recordings and choose A, B, or C
Example:
You hear a message about a party. What time does it start? A) 7pm B) 8pm C) 9pm
What to Expect
- Short audio clips (30-60 seconds each)
- Usually 4-6 separate mini-recordings
- Each recording = 1 mark
- Topics: daily life, announcements, messages
Common Mistakes
- Choosing the first answer you hear (often a distractor)
- Not reading all options before listening
- Rushing to answer before the clip ends
Winning Strategies
- Read all three options during reading time
- Listen for key words that match the options
- If unsure, eliminate the least likely option
- Trust your first instinct on the second listen
Audio Speed Practice
Select Speed
Select Sample Text
French Audio
Speed: Normal
Bonjour, je m'appelle Marie et j'habite a Paris depuis cinq ans.
Practice Tips
- Start with slow speed until you can catch every word
- Move to normal speed when you feel confident
- Challenge yourself with fast speed to prepare for native speakers
- The exam audio is typically between normal and fast pace
Video Guide
Grade Calculator
Grade Calculator
See what grade your marks would give you
Your Grade
80%
Target for Grade 8
Target achieved!
To Grade 9
1 more marks needed
Grade Boundaries (Approx.)
Excellent! You are on track for a Grade 8 or 9. Keep practicing to maintain this level.