French
Content of Program
The student's diagnostic test and other factors inform the decision about which version of the test—the standard French reading or the French with Listening—the student should take. The diagnostic test also provides tutors with essential information about the student's previous exposure to—and present skills in—elements of French grammar, vocabulary, and reading that appear on the Subject test.
First, tutors teach and review grammatical rules while establishing an individualized schedule for the study of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions. Through in-session and homework drills, tutors then monitor their students’ progress in learning vocabulary, applying grammatical rules, and developing concrete approaches to reading comprehension. Timed practice tests provide additional opportunities for the exercise and refinement of the knowledge and skills emphasized during tutoring sessions.
What Kind of Exam Is It?
- The SAT Subject Tests in French evaluate skills in French grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension.
- A student with a strong background in the language-including at least two or three years of formal study in high school, or some comparable training-might consider taking a French Subject Test.
When Is It Taken?
Two versions of the French test are available:
- the standard SAT Subject Test in French, offered in October, December, January, May, and June; and
- the French with Listening, offered only in November.
1. Standard French
| Section | Content | Number of Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Contextual Vocabulary and Idioms | Approximately 85 Multiple Choice | 1 Hour |
| Part B | Grammar (including verb agreement and tense, personal and relative pronouns, articles, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions) | ||
| Part C | Grammatical Structure and Verbal Usage within a paragraph | ||
| Part D | Reading Comprehension (selections from literature, journalism, and real-world prose such as advertisements) |
2. French with Listening
Listening Component
| Section | Content | Number of Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Picture Identification | 30-35 Multiple Choice | 20 minutes |
| Part B | Comprehension of Brief Dialogues and Monologues | ||
| Part C | Comprehension of Long Dialogues and Monologues |
Reading Component
| Section | Content | Number of Questions | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Contextual Vocabulary and Idioms | 50-55 Multiple Choice | 40 minutes |
| Part B | Grammar (including verb agreement and tense, personal and relative pronouns, articles, adjectives, adverbs, and prepositions) | ||
| Part C | Grammatical Structure and Verbal Usage within a paragraph | ||
| Part D | Reading Comprehension (selections from literature, journalism, and real-world prose such as advertisements) |
Anything Else?
Please see our general information about the SAT Subject Tests for details about the length of the program and other topics.
For additional information about preparing and registering for theFrench Subject Tests, follow the link below to the College Board'swebsite:
External Link: http://www.collegeboard.com (link will open in a new window)