French tests and exams vocabulary, including words for different types of tests, parts of exams, study materials, and related expressions.
This page covers essential French vocabulary for discussing tests, exams, and related study activities. From different types of assessments to materials and common expressions, this guide helps you navigate academic conversation with confidence.
Types of Tests
Here are some common French words for different kinds of tests and exams:
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| le test | les tests | test | tests | J'ai un test de mathématiques aujourd'hui. | I have a math test today. |
| l'examen (m) | les examens | exam | exams | L'examen final est la semaine prochaine. | The final exam is next week. |
| la dictée | les dictées | dictation | dictations | Nous avons une dictée chaque vendredi. | We have a dictation every Friday. |
| le contrôle | les contrôles | quiz | quizzes | Il y a un contrôle surprise en histoire. | There's a surprise quiz in history. |
| l'interrogation (f) | les interrogations | oral test/quiz | oral tests/quizzes | L'interrogation orale était difficile. | The oral quiz was difficult. |
| le devoir | les devoirs | homework/test | homeworks/tests | J'ai beaucoup de devoirs ce week-end. | I have a lot of homework this weekend. |
| le partiel | les partiels | midterm exam | midterm exams | Les partiels commencent demain. | The midterms start tomorrow. |
| la épreuve | les épreuves | test/exam | tests/exams | L'épreuve de français est obligatoire. | The French test is mandatory. |
| le concours | les concours | competitive exam | competitive exams | Elle réussit toujours les concours. | She always passes the competitive exams. |
| la simulation | les simulations | mock test | mock tests | Nous avons fait une simulation d'examen. | We did a mock exam. |
Hicimos una ___ de examen.
How do you say 'mock test' in French?
simulation
The word for 'mock test' in French is 'simulation'. It refers to a practice exam.
Exam Parts
These words describe parts of an exam, from instructions to sections:
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la question | les questions | question | questions | Répondez à toutes les questions. | Answer all the questions. |
| la réponse | les réponses | answer | answers | Vérifiez vos réponses avant de rendre la copie. | Check your answers before submitting. |
| l'instruction (f) | les instructions | instruction | instructions | Lisez bien les instructions. | Read the instructions carefully. |
| la partie | les parties | part/section | parts/sections | Cette partie est plus difficile. | This section is more difficult. |
| le sujet | les sujets | topic/subject | topics/subjects | Le sujet de l'examen était imprévu. | The exam topic was unexpected. |
| le corrigé | les corrigés | answer key | answer keys | Le corrigé sera distribué demain. | The answer key will be handed out tomorrow. |
| le temps imparti | — | allotted time | — | Le temps imparti est de deux heures. | The allotted time is two hours. |
| la feuille | les feuilles | sheet/paper | sheets/papers | Donnez votre feuille au professeur. | Hand your paper to the teacher. |
| le brouillon | les brouillons | draft | drafts | Utilisez le brouillon pour vos calculs. | Use the draft for your calculations. |
| la note | les notes | grade/mark | grades/marks | J'ai une bonne note en chimie. | I have a good grade in chemistry. |
Study Materials
Here is vocabulary for materials and tools used when studying for tests and exams:
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| le cahier | les cahiers | notebook | notebooks | J'écris mes notes dans un cahier. | I write my notes in a notebook. |
| le stylo | les stylos | pen | pens | J'ai besoin d'un stylo bleu. | I need a blue pen. |
| le crayon | les crayons | pencil | pencils | Utilise un crayon pour le brouillon. | Use a pencil for the draft. |
| la gomme | les gommes | eraser | erasers | J'ai perdu ma gomme. | I lost my eraser. |
| le surligneur | les surligneurs | highlighter | highlighters | Je surligne les mots importants. | I highlight important words. |
| le livre | les livres | book | books | Je révise avec mon livre de maths. | I study with my math book. |
| la feuille de révision | les feuilles de révision | study sheet | study sheets | J'ai préparé des feuilles de révision. | I made study sheets. |
| le dictionnaire | les dictionnaires | dictionary | dictionaries | Le dictionnaire m'aide en vocabulaire. | The dictionary helps me with vocabulary. |
| l'ordinateur (m) | les ordinateurs | computer | computers | Je révise sur l'ordinateur. | I study on the computer. |
| l'application (f) | les applications | app | apps | J'utilise une application pour réviser. | I use an app to study. |
Exam Verbs
These verbs are commonly used when talking about preparing for, taking, and passing exams:
| French Infinitive | English Infinitive | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| réviser | to review/study | Je révise pour l'examen de biologie. | I'm studying for the biology exam. |
| passer | to take (a test) | Je passe un test de vocabulaire demain. | I'm taking a vocabulary test tomorrow. |
| réussir | to pass/succeed | Elle a réussi son examen de maths. | She passed her math exam. |
| échouer | to fail | Il a échoué à l'examen de physique. | He failed the physics exam. |
| répondre | to answer | Répondez à la question numéro cinq. | Answer question number five. |
| corriger | to correct | Le professeur va corriger les copies. | The teacher will correct the papers. |
| noter | to grade/mark | Le professeur note les examens ce soir. | The teacher is grading the exams tonight. |
| préparer | to prepare | Je prépare mes fiches de révision. | I'm preparing my study notes. |
| organiser | to organize | J'organise mon temps de révision. | I organize my study time. |
| imprimer | to print | J'ai imprimé mes notes de cours. | I printed my class notes. |
Common Expressions
These phrases are useful for talking about exams and test-taking in French:
| French Expression | English Translation | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| avoir un trou de mémoire | to have a mental blank | Pendant l'examen, j'ai eu un trou de mémoire. | During the exam, I had a mental blank. |
| croiser les doigts | to cross one's fingers | Je croise les doigts pour réussir. | I'm crossing my fingers to pass. |
| être prêt(e) | to be ready | Je suis prêt(e) pour l'examen. | I'm ready for the exam. |
| se concentrer | to concentrate | Il faut se concentrer en classe. | You have to concentrate in class. |
| gérer son temps | to manage one's time | Apprends à gérer ton temps pendant l'examen. | Learn to manage your time during the exam. |
| faire une pause | to take a break | N'oublie pas de faire une pause en révisant. | Don’t forget to take a break while studying. |
| relire ses réponses | to reread one's answers | Relis tes réponses avant de rendre ta copie. | Reread your answers before submitting. |
| être stressé(e) | to be stressed | Je suis toujours stressé(e) avant un examen. | I'm always stressed before an exam. |
| poser une question | to ask a question | J'ai posé une question au professeur. | I asked the teacher a question. |
| rendre sa copie | to hand in one’s paper | J'ai rendu ma copie à temps. | I handed in my paper on time. |
This vocabulary will help you confidently discuss all aspects of tests and exams in French, from preparation to results. Bonne chance!
Apprends à ___ pendant l'examen.
What is the French expression for 'to manage one's time' during an exam?
gérer ton temps
'Gérer son temps' means to manage or organize one's time efficiently.
Flashcards (1 of 50)
- English Singular: test
- English Plural: tests
- English Example: I have a math test today.
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
