AQA A Level French specification (7652)
Understanding the exam specification is key to doing well in your AQA A Level French exam. It lays out exactly what you need to learn, how you'll be assessed, and what skills the examiners seek. Whether you're working through the course for the first time or revising for your final exams, the specification helps you stay focused and confident in your preparation.
We've included helpful revision tools to support you in putting the specification into practice. Wherever you're starting from, you'll find everything you need to feel prepared, from the official specification to high-quality resources designed to help you succeed.
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In the next section, you'll find a simplified summary of the official AQA A Level French specification, along with a breakdown of key topics, assessment structure, and useful study resources. We've also included links to topic-level guides and revision tools to help you put the specification into practice.
Contents
Disclaimer
This page includes a summary of the official AQA A Level French (7652) specification, provided to support your revision. While we've made every effort to ensure accuracy, Save My Exams is not affiliated with the awarding body.
For the most complete and up-to-date information, we strongly recommend consulting the official AQA specification PDF.
Specification overview
The AQA A-level French specification aims to foster fluency, accuracy and confidence in spoken and written French. It enables students to develop their understanding of the language through the study of social, political and cultural themes, as well as through engagement with authentic texts, films and literary works. The course encourages an appreciation of French-speaking cultures and develops critical thinking, analysis and translation skills. It supports progression to further study and careers in languages, international relations, and global business.
Subject content breakdown
Social Issues and Trends
- The changing nature of family (la famille en voie de changement)
- The ‘cyber-society’ (la cyber-société)
- Voluntary work (le rôle du bénévolat)
- Cultural heritage (le patrimoine)
- Contemporary music (la musique francophone contemporaine)
- Cinema (le septième art)
Political and Artistic Culture
- Teenagers and politics (les ados, le droit de vote et l’engagement politique)
- Demonstrations and strikes (manifestations, grèves)
- Immigration and integration (l’immigration et la société multiculturelle)
- Aspects of French-speaking society and political life
Grammar
- Core grammatical structures including tenses, moods, pronouns, and agreements
- Regular and irregular verbs, gender, and sentence construction
Literary Texts and Films
- One text and one film or two texts from prescribed lists
- Works chosen from a range of genres and periods
Individual Research Project
- Student-led research on a chosen aspect of a French-speaking society
- Presented and discussed in the speaking exam
Assessment structure
Paper 1: Listening, Reading and Writing
- Based on all four themes
- Includes listening and responding, reading comprehension, summaries and translation
- 2 hours 30 minutes, 100 marks
- 50% of A-level
Paper 2: Writing
- Essay on one literary text and one film or two texts
- Grammar and critical analysis assessed
- 2 hours, 80 marks
- 20% of A-level
Paper 3: Speaking
- Discussion of a stimulus card related to a theme
- Presentation and discussion of the Individual Research Project
- 21–23 minutes (including 5 minutes preparation), 60 marks
- 30% of A-level
Key tips for success
Doing well in your AQA A Level French isn't just about how much you study, but how you study. Here are a few proven tips to help you stay on track
- Start with a clear plan: Break the subject into topics and create a revision schedule that allows enough time for each. Start early to avoid last-minute stress.
- Focus on understanding, not memorising: Use our revision notes to build a strong foundation in each topic, making sure you actually understand the material.
- Practise regularly: Attempt past papers to familiarise yourself with the exam format and timing. Mark your answers to see how close you are to full marks.
- Be strategic with your revision: Use exam questions by topic to focus on weaker areas, and flashcards to reinforce important facts and terminology.
- Learn from mistakes: Whether it's from mock exams or practice questions, spend time reviewing what went wrong and why. This helps prevent repeat mistakes in the real exam.
- Stay balanced: Don't forget to take regular breaks, eat well, and get enough sleep, a healthy routine makes revision much more effective.
With the right approach and consistent practice, you'll build confidence and improve your chances of exam success.
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