French B1 Exam Preparation
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” — Benjamin Franklin
The B1 level indicates proficiency in the French language at an intermediate level:
- Specifically, the person should be able to understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar everyday matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, travel and directions, shipping and ordering, family and relationships, emergencies, invitations and social interactions.
- Additionally, the person should be able to describe experiences, events, dreams, hopes, and ambitions, as well as briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.
There are four parts of the exam: listening, reading, speaking, and writing.
Generally, the entire exam can last several hours to complete, and may vary according to the examination center.
In just a few weeks, I’ll be taking a French language exam, and I’m excited to share my preparation notes with everyone! 😊
The purpose of this article is to help you (and me) anticipate and focus on the topics, situations, language structures, vocabulary and grammar that we’ll likely encounter.
It’s time to roll!
SUMMARY
- Common contexts and topics
- Listening
- Reading
- Speaking
- Writing
- Grammar and Vocabulary
- Links to my favorite (and free) online courses
1. COMMON CONTEXTS AND TOPICS
Introductions and Personal Information:
- Greeting someone and introducing yourself.
- Giving and requesting personal information like name, age, nationality, and profession.
Everyday Activities:
- Talking about daily routines and habits.
- Describing your hobbies and leisure activities.
Travel and Directions:
- Asking for and giving directions.
- Buying tickets and making travel arrangements.
Shopping and Ordering:
- Making purchases in a store.
- Ordering food and drinks in a restaurant.
Accommodation:
- Booking a hotel room.
- Asking about room availability and amenities.
Health and Well-being:
- Describing common health problems and symptoms.
- Visiting a doctor or pharmacy.
Work and Studies:
- Talking about your job or studies.
- Discussing daily work tasks or school subjects.
Family and Relationships:
- Describing your family members.
- Talking about your relationships and plans.
Time and Schedules:
- Discussing time, dates, and appointments.
- Talking about future plans and events.
Likes and Dislikes:
- Expressing preferences and opinions.
- Talking about favorite activities, foods, or places.
Emergencies:
- Dealing with common emergency situations.
- Seeking help or assistance.
Invitations and Social Interactions:
- Extending and accepting invitations.
- Making plans with friends or acquaintances.
2. LISTENING COMPREHENSION EXAM 🎧
20–30 minutes
You will be listening to a series of dialogues which will be followed by questions based on what you hear. (Various contexts and situations will be based on the examples discussed in the previous section of this article.)
3. READING COMPREHENSION EXAM 📖
30–40 mintutes
You will be reading a series of texts or passages, and you will need to answer questions about them. (Various contexts and situations will be based on the examples discussed in the previous section of this article.)
I dedicated an article on the reading comprehension exam. Read it here: Mastering French B1 Reading Comprehension: Tips, Strategies, and Sample Questions
4. SPEAKING EXAM 🗣️
10–15 minutes
During the speaking section of the exam, you’ll engage in a role-play scenario with the examiner. (Various contexts and situations will be based on the examples discussed in the previous section of this article.)
5. WRITING EXAM ✍️
10–15 minutes
Time for essay writing! You will be required to write essays, letters, and other types of written responses. Examples:
- An email to a friend: You might be required to explain your plans for the weekend, request recommendations for restaurants and must-see attractions, plan a party, or thank someone for a favor.
- 150–200 word essay writing describing a personal experience: You might need to describe a personal experience, like a recent vacation, your family gathering, experience at school, or any other memorable experience.
- Formal letter writing: This usually involves writing letters in response to job offers, requesting information from the administration, complaining about a product or service, or even applying for a scholarship.
6. GRAMMAR AND VOCABULARY 📚
20–30 minutes; This section is added depending on the examination center.
This will cover everything from A1-B1.
GRAMMAR
A1:
Basic sentence structure, present tense of regular verbs, basic question formation, common prepositions (à, de, en), simple conjunctions (et, ou), articles (le, la, un, une), and basic pronouns (je, tu, il, elle).
A2:
Past tense (passé composé) with common verbs, immediate future (futur proche), basic negation, possessive adjectives, more prepositions and conjunctions, regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, and basic adjectives.
B1:
Complex sentence structures, past tenses (imparfait), conditional (conditionnel), future tense (futur simple), basic use of subjunctive, comparative and superlative forms, direct and indirect object pronouns, and more advanced negation.
B2 (reference):
Advanced uses of subjunctive, conditional, and past tenses (plus-que-parfait, passé simple), reported speech, relative clauses, passive voice, and complex sentence constructions.
C1 (reference):
Mastery of complex grammar structures, including advanced uses of subjunctive, conditional, and past tenses, intricate sentence patterns, and stylistic nuances.
C2 (reference):
Near-native proficiency in grammar, including flawless use of all verb tenses, moods, and complex syntactical structures.
VOCABULARY
A1
Everyday words and phrases related to greetings, introductions, numbers, family, colors, food, time, and common objects.
A2
Expands on A1 vocabulary to include more everyday topics like travel, shopping, hobbies, and describing people and places.
B1
Expands to cover a wider range of everyday and work-related topics, such as health, education, work, and leisure activities.
B2 (reference)
Expands to cover more specialized and abstract topics, including politics, society, culture, and professional fields.
C1 (reference)
A wide-ranging vocabulary that includes idiomatic expressions, technical terminology, and cultural references. Ability to discuss abstract and specialized topics in depth.
C2 (reference)
Extensive vocabulary that allows for fluency in any topic, including highly specialized fields. Mastery of idiomatic expressions and a deep understanding of cultural nuances.
7. Links to my favorite (and free) online courses 🌟
These courses are prepared by the Direction de l’intégration et de l’accès à la nationalité (DGEF), which is the agency responsible for the reception and integration of foreign nationals in France, in partnership with Alliance Française, a reputable and well-known French language school.
French A1 — Live in France
French A2 — Live in France
French B1 — Live in France
French A2-B1 — Work in France
Any level — Work in France
In conclusion, as I reflect on the French B1 exam, I’ve come to realize that it may seem challenging, but it’s a manageable milestone on my language-learning journey.
By dedicating time to practice, focusing on relevant skills, and staying confident, I’ll be well-prepared to ace the test and take my French proficiency to the next level. Let’s all embrace the journey of personal growth and cultural exploration!
Organising my notes in this blog article allows me to structure my exam preparation. I will be writing practice exams in separate blog posts, so stay tuned!
I hope this blog has been both informative and inspiring as we delved into the world of the French B1 language exam. Language learning is a journey best shared, and I’d love to hear about your experiences, questions, or any topics you’d like me to explore in future blogs.
