First, the rules of the room
What the paper wants from you
- You write your answers on the exam paper itself, on the lines and in the boxes. The space shows you how long your answer should be.
- The marks are printed next to each question. That is your map. Give a 4 mark question more time than a 1 mark question.
- Since 2022 the writing marks are printed on the paper. Read them. They tell you exactly what earns points.
- Never leave a blank. In the Language part each answer is worth 0.5. An empty blank is a sure half mark lost. A smart guess is free.
Your two hours
A simple time plan
The paper does not tell you how long to spend on each part. Here is a plan that works. Change it to fit your section order in the table below.
| Part | Time | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | about 40 min | The biggest block of marks. Do not rush the false statement quotes. |
| Writing (guided and free) | about 45 min | Spend one minute to plan the free task before you write. |
| Language | about 20 min | Fast points. Do not overthink, and fill every blank. |
| Check your work | about 15 min | Tenses, the third person s, articles, the missing is/are, spelling. |
Know your own paper
The four sections at a glance
Find your column. The skills are the same on every paper. Only the marks, the order, and a few details change.
| Lettres | Sciences | Technique | Sport | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total marks | 40 | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Coefficient | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1.5 |
| Order of parts | Read, Write, Language | Read, Write, Language | Read, Write, Language | Read, Language, Write |
| Reading | 15 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Writing | 15 (guided 5, free 10) | 12 (guided 4, free 8) | 12 (guided 4, free 8) | 8 (free only, no guided) |
| Language | 10 | 6 | 6 | 10 |
| Free writing length | 12 lines | 12 lines | 12 lines | 10 lines |
Keep these in your head
The 10 golden rules
- Read the question twice before you answer. Answer the question they ask, not the one you expect.
- Look at the marks. The number in brackets tells you where to spend time.
- Never leave a blank, above all in Language (0.5 each). A guess is free.
- False statements: copy a detail from the text. Never just write "it is false."
- Gap fills and synonyms: copy the word from the text, spelled exactly.
- Do not know a word? Stay calm and guess it from the words around it.
- Free writing: give at least three clear ideas, and count your lines (12, or 10 for Sport).
- Match your style to the format: a Facebook post is not an email to an adult.
- Capital letters, full stops, and spelling give you 2 easy marks. Do not lose them.
- Keep 10 to 15 minutes at the end to check: tenses, third person s, articles, the missing is/are.
Your revision pages
Go through them in order
📖 Reading
All 7 question types, with the best tip and the main trap for each, plus quick checks from real papers.
Part 2🧩 Language
The word box, the tense and form task, and "circle the right option": method, traps, and short drills.
Part 3📐 Grammar
Tenses, passive, conditionals, reported speech, and word building, all on simple tables.
Part 4🗂️ Vocabulary
Useful words by theme (with French and Arabic), plus connectors and word partners for writing.
Part 5✍️ Writing 1
Turn notes into sentences, with easy templates for the NGO profile, the biography, and the report.
Part 6✍️ Writing 2 + ready essay paragraphs
The 12 line opinion plan, format tips, and a ready opener, three ideas, and a full model paragraph for every common theme.
You know more than you think.
Tomorrow, read slowly, plan for one minute, write simply and correctly, and check at the end. That is a winning paper. Good luck. Go and get those marks. 🍀