This section covers common French vocabulary related to tests, exams, and academic assessments. It includes words for different types of exams, key terms you’ll encounter during exams, and useful expressions for talking about your exam experience.
Types of Tests and Exams
Different types of tests and exams are used in French-speaking education systems. Here are the most common ones:
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| le test | les tests | the test | the tests | J’ai passé un test de mathématiques. | I took a math test. |
| l’examen | les examens | the exam | the exams | L’examen de français est demain. | The French exam is tomorrow. |
| la dictée | les dictées | the dictation | the dictations | Nous avons une dictée chaque semaine. | We have a dictation every week. |
| le contrôle | les contrôles | the quiz/test | the quizzes/tests | Il y a un contrôle surprise aujourd’hui. | There is a surprise quiz today. |
| le partiel | les partiels | the midterm | the midterms | J’ai révisé pour le partiel d’histoire. | I studied for the history midterm. |
| le concours | les concours | the competitive exam | the competitive exams | Elle a réussi un concours difficile. | She passed a difficult competitive exam. |
| le brevet | les brevets | the middle school diploma exam | the middle school diploma exams | Il a obtenu son brevet avec mention. | He passed his brevet with honors. |
| le baccalauréat (le bac) | les baccalauréats | the high school diploma exam | the high school diploma exams | Le bac est un examen important en France. | The bac is an important exam in France. |
She passed a difficult competitive exam.
Elle a réussi un concours difficile.
'Concours' refers to competitive exams, often for entry into prestigious schools or civil service. Saying 'Elle a réussi un concours difficile' means 'She passed a difficult competitive exam.' 'Examen' and 'test' are more general, and 'dictée' is unrelated.
Key Exam Vocabulary
These are common terms you’ll see on exam papers or hear when discussing exams.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la question | les questions | the question | the questions | Répondez à toutes les questions. | Answer all the questions. |
| la réponse | les réponses | the answer | the answers | Sa réponse était correcte. | His answer was correct. |
| la copie | les copies | the exam paper | the exam papers | La copie doit être rendue à l’heure. | The exam paper must be submitted on time. |
| la note | les notes | the grade/mark | the grades/marks | J’ai eu une bonne note en physique. | I got a good grade in physics. |
| la moyenne | les moyennes | the average | the averages | Sa moyenne est de 15 sur 20. | Her average is 15 out of 20. |
| la correction | les corrections | the correction | the corrections | La correction sera affichée demain. | The correction will be posted tomorrow. |
| le sujet | les sujets | the exam topic | the exam topics | Le sujet du jour portait sur l’histoire. | Today’s exam topic was on history. |
| le temps imparti | — | the allotted time | — | Le temps imparti est de deux heures. | The allotted time is two hours. |
'The allotted time is two hours.'
Le temps imparti est de deux heures.
'Le temps imparti' specifically means the time allotted or allowed for an exam. While 'temps prévu,' 'temps passé,' and 'temps restant' relate to time, they do not carry the exact meaning of allotted exam duration.
Expressing Exam Situations
These common phrases and expressions will help you talk about taking exams in French.
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| J’ai réussi mon examen. | I passed my exam. |
| J’ai échoué à mon test. | I failed my test. |
| Je suis stressé(e) avant l’examen. | I’m stressed before the exam. |
| Il faut bien se préparer. | You have to prepare well. |
| L’examen commence à neuf heures. | The exam starts at nine o’clock. |
| On ne peut pas sortir avant la fin. | You can’t leave before the end. |
| J’ai révisé toute la semaine. | I studied all week. |
| Les résultats seront publiés la semaine prochaine. | The results will be published next week. |
Academic Milestones
Here are key academic milestones and related exams in the French education system.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | French Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| le diplôme | les diplômes | the diploma | the diplomas | Elle a obtenu son diplôme l’année dernière. | She earned her diploma last year. |
| la licence | les licences | the bachelor’s degree | the bachelor’s degrees | Il prépare une licence en droit. | He is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in law. |
| le master | les masters | the master’s degree | the master’s degrees | Elle a un master en biologie. | She has a master’s degree in biology. |
| le doctorat | les doctorats | the doctorate/PhD | the doctorates/PhDs | Il fait un doctorat en physique. | He is doing a PhD in physics. |
| la soutenance | les soutenances | the thesis defense | the thesis defenses | Sa soutenance de thèse est vendredi. | Her thesis defense is on Friday. |
Use this vocabulary to navigate conversations about tests and exams with confidence.
Flashcards (1 of 29)
- English Singular: the test
- English Plural: the tests
- English Example: I took a math test.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
