Top Tips to Get an A* in IGCSE French | Exam Success Guide

Preparing for IGCSE French takes more than memorising words. Success comes from strong vocabulary, accurate grammar, active listening and reading, plus confident speaking and writing. This article shares proven tips from examiners, top students, and tutors to help you plan revision, sharpen skills, and aim for an A.*

Introduction

Getting an A* in IGCSE French isn’t about luck. It’s about building strong habits, using the right tools, and practising in a smart way. Whether you’re studying with Cambridge or Edexcel, the exam structure rewards students who can show a wide vocabulary, accurate grammar, and the ability to communicate naturally in different contexts.

In this guide, you’ll learn about the exam format, strategies to grow your vocabulary and grammar, and practical activities for listening, reading, speaking, and writing. You’ll also find out what examiners are really looking for and how IGCSE French tutoring support can give you an edge.

What You Need to Know About the IGCSE French Exam

Understanding the IGCSE French exam board’s format is the first step to effective preparation. Both Cambridge and Edexcel exams assess the same four core skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing.

Exam Boards Covered

Cambridge IGCSE French – Foreign Language (0520)

This is one of the most widely taken exams internationally. It’s designed to test how well you can communicate in real-life situations, with equal emphasis on spoken and written French. The focus is on practical communication skills that show you can use the language beyond the classroom.

Edexcel International GCSE French (4FR1)

This exam has very similar aims but includes slight differences in wording and assessment style. The tasks are framed a little differently, and the mark schemes have their own emphasis, but the overall skills tested remain the same. Both are equally respected by schools and universities worldwide.

Breakdown of the Four Key Papers

Each paper contributes 25% of the final grade, so balanced preparation is essential.

Paper 1: Listening – you’ll hear short conversations, announcements, interviews, and longer passages. The test checks how well you can pick out key details, follow information, and understand meaning at both basic and more complex levels.
Paper 2: Reading – includes a variety of texts such as adverts, blogs, articles, and narrative passages. Tasks will ask you to show both gist understanding and the ability to interpret detail or nuance.
Paper 3: Speaking – this involves a role-play, a picture-based task, and a general conversation on familiar themes. Examiners look for fluency, accurate grammar, and a natural flow of ideas.
Paper 4: Writing – tasks include emails, essays, articles, or stories. You’ll need to show accuracy, range, and the ability to write with style and organisation across different types of texts.

By understanding how each paper works, you’ll be able to focus your IGCSE French revision more effectively and approach the exam with confidence.

Vocabulary: The Foundation of A* Answers

Strong vocabulary is the base of high-scoring answers. The wider and more precise your word choice, the easier it is to write sophisticated essays and respond fluently in speaking exams.

Target High-Frequency Topics

Examiners design tasks around predictable themes. Focusing your vocabulary revision on these ensures you’re ready for anything.

Personal identity and relationships
Daily life, school, and free time
Travel and holidays
Environment and global issues
Future plans and careers

These topics cover most contexts you’ll encounter, from describing your routine to discussing climate change.

**Build Your A* Vocab Bank**

The goal is to memorise words and use them naturally. Here are effective strategies:

Use digital tools like Quizlet, Anki, or Memrise for spaced repetition.
Group vocabulary by theme and function, such as giving opinions or describing time.
Keep a personal phrasebook with full sentence examples that you can reuse.

Building a strong and organised vocabulary bank gives you the tools to answer confidently in every paper and is one of the most reliable steps towards an A.*

Grammar That Secures Top Marks

Vocabulary shows what you know, but grammar shows how well you can use it. Accuracy and variety are key to examiner expectations.

Priority Grammar Topics

You’ll need to be confident with these areas:

Tenses: present, perfect, imperfect, future, conditional
Modal verbs and impersonal phrases (il faut, on peut)
Pronouns: direct, indirect, and reflexive
Negatives: ne…pas, ne…jamais, ne…rien
Subjunctive mood for top-level accuracy in writing and speaking

Grammar Across Papers

Grammar is tested in every skill. Writing and speaking require explicit use of multiple tenses and structures, while listening and reading test whether you can recognise them in context.

Tutor Tips for Mastery

Many students find grammar intimidating, but there are ways to make it manageable:

Use colour-coded charts to organise verbs and tenses.
Write short diary entries switching between tenses to practise contrasts.
Record yourself using target structures in real-life contexts and listen back.

Mastering grammar makes your French sound natural and confident, which examiners reward.

Listening: Train Your Ear for A* Accuracy

Listening can be tricky, but regular exposure makes it much easier. The more accents and speeds you practise with, the stronger your comprehension becomes.

What You’ll Face

Short everyday conversations
Public announcements
Interviews or dialogues
Longer monologues and reports

**A* Strategies**

Listening practice works best when it’s varied and active:

Make time daily for French audio, from podcasts to songs.
Transcribe short sections to catch details and patterns.
Train with a range of accents to avoid being thrown off.

Recommended Practice Sources

Reliable practice materials include:

France Info Junior – news simplified for teenagers.
Duolingo French Podcast – storytelling with transcripts.
Cambridge and Edexcel sample exam clips available online.

A steady routine of listening boosts not only comprehension but also pronunciation and fluency in speaking.

Reading: Decode & Interpret Like a Pro

Reading tests your ability to understand meaning quickly and accurately. Examiners want to see you extract both gist and detail.

Types of Reading Tasks

You’ll meet texts such as:

Adverts, messages, and short notices
Emails, blog posts, and articles
Narrative or descriptive passages

**A* Reading Techniques**

Approach texts with clear strategies:

Skim quickly to grasp the main idea, then scan for specific details.
Note cognates and watch for false friends.
Translate ideas into English rather than word-for-word.

Avoid Common Pitfalls

Some traps are easy to avoid if you know them:

Look out for distractor words in multiple-choice tasks.
Don’t guess meaning and always base answers on the text.

Good reading technique helps you manage time and score consistently across different tasks.

Speaking: Confident, Natural & Exam-Ready

The speaking exam can feel stressful, but with enough practice, it becomes a chance to shine. Examiners reward fluency, accuracy, and the ability to express opinions clearly.

Speaking Exam Includes

A short role-play task
A photo-based description and discussion
A general conversation on broader topics

**A* Tips**

To impress examiners, use strategies like:

Connectors and complex sentences to show range.
Opinions with justifications, not just simple answers.
Advanced structures such as si clauses or the subjunctive.

Pronunciation Practice

Clear pronunciation helps you score highly:

Shadow native speakers to copy rhythm and tone.
Record and compare your speech to identify areas for improvement.
Focus on natural intonation, not just individual sounds.

With practice, you’ll find yourself speaking more confidently and naturally.

Writing: Structure, Style & Sophistication

Writing tasks are an opportunity to show off grammar, vocabulary, and organisation. Planning before writing saves time and helps you meet examiner expectations.

Typical Tasks

Formal or informal emails and letters
Short essays or narratives
Articles and blog entries

How to Write for an A*

Writing for top marks requires precision and variety. Here are simple techniques:

Plan ideas in bullet points before writing.
Start with a clear opinion or engaging opening line.
Use at least five tenses naturally across the piece.
Vary sentence structures and vocabulary.

Boost Writing Marks With

Idiomatic phrases that add authenticity
Expressing hypotheses to show complexity
Subjunctive forms where appropriate

Strong writing balances accuracy and flair, showing that you can communicate at a high level.

Understand the Grading & What Examiners Look For

Knowing how marks are awarded helps you focus your revision where it makes the biggest difference.

Cambridge & Edexcel Breakdown

Listening – 25%: tests how well you can follow spoken French in a range of everyday and formal contexts.
Reading – 25%: checks your ability to understand different types of texts, from adverts to longer articles.
Speaking – 25%: measures fluency, pronunciation, and your ability to express ideas naturally in conversation.
Writing – 25%: evaluates accuracy, style, and how well you can structure your responses in different formats.

Key Examiner Priorities

Across all four skills, examiners are looking for evidence that you can use French flexibly and with confidence. They reward students who show:

A wide range and accuracy of grammar and vocabulary
Complexity and cohesion in ideas, linking points smoothly and logically
Relevance and clarity in answers, staying focused on the task set
The ability to understand and respond appropriately in different contexts

Meeting these priorities consistently shows that you’re not just memorising but genuinely using the language, which is exactly what earns an A*.

Conclusion. How TutorsPlus Can Help You

Achieving an A* in IGCSE French takes dedication, but with the right strategies, it’s absolutely possible. Building vocabulary, mastering grammar, and practising the four skills daily are the foundations. Past papers and examiner reports then help you fine-tune your answers.

At TutorsPlus, our experienced IGCSE French tutors know the exam requirements inside out. They can help you structure your revision, provide targeted feedback on speaking and writing, and build your confidence for exam day.

“Saleh was an impeccable tutor, truly the best I could have found in my moment of desperate need. With little time on our hands, Saleh gave me succinct and concise resources and exercises I needed to efficiently grow in the subject.”

FAQ

What’s the difference between Cambridge and Edexcel French?
Both assess the same four skills, but wording and structure differ slightly. Cambridge focuses more on communicative ability, while Edexcel includes a stronger emphasis on contextual understanding.

How many words should I know to get an A?*
A strong A* student typically knows 1,500–2,000 words across exam topics, but quality of use matters more than sheer quantity.

Do I need to be fluent to get an A?*
No, fluency isn’t required. You need clear communication with a range of structures and vocabulary. Accuracy and relevance matter more.

How early should I start preparing?
Ideally, start focused revision six to nine months before the exam. Daily vocabulary and grammar practice from the beginning of the course also pays off.

Can I get past papers and writing templates from TutorsPlus?
Yes. TutorsPlus provides access to past papers, model answers, and structured writing templates to help students practise effectively.