• The vocabulary in the white pages (go to main webpage to access the vocabulary lists) and all other concepts covered in class.
• Everything in the blue pages: verbs (go to main webpage to access the verb lists) and all other grammar concepts.

• Listening to, and understanding of, dialogues or paragraphs, basic recognition of pronunciation, basic recognition of vocabulary/verbs, etc.
• Typically scripts are read (or played) 2 or 3 times depending on the difficulty. Your instructor will announce how many times a script will be read/played beforehand. Scripts will not be repeated more times than announced.
• Oral activities from the workbook are frequently used for the oral parts of the exam (either as they appeared in the workbook or in a modified version) so it is a very good idea to re-do the oral activities from the workbook before the exam to practice!
• Note that you might have to infer some of the answers. If the script says for example: "They like bananas and oranges" and the question is: "They like fruit: true or false?". The answer is true. Other example: if the script says "They like the months of October and November" and the question is: "They like autumn: true or false?", the answer is true. This was not actually said, but you can infer it.
• Do not read too much into the questions. The questions are NEVER designed to trick you on some sort of logical technicality. If the script says: "He likes to read" and the question is "He likes books: true or false?", the answer is true. While technically it is possible that he reads magazines and not books, the intent of the question is to be straightforward.
• IMPORTANT: if you are late and miss (all or part of) the reading/playing of the scripts, your instructor will read (or play) the missed script(s) at the END of class (when all other students are gone) ONE TIME FEWER than normal. Furthermore, your score will be reduced by a minimum of 20% of the points possible for these oral activities you missed. Note that it is your responsibility to request the re-reading/playing.

• True/False, multiple choice, matching, fill in the blank, find the word that does not belong in a list, etc.
• Always choose the MOST probable answer. For example, if you have to decide whether a couch is located in the kitchen, bedroom or living room. The answer is the living room. It is irrelevant that some people might have one in their bedroom. You need to give the MOST probable answer! 

• True/False, multiple choice, fill in the blanks, conjugation (ex: choose the correct verb from a verb bank and conjugate it in the present), etc.
• Always choose the MOST probable answer. For example, if you have to decide which verb is correct for "I _____ in an office. I like my job" (work, live, eat). The MOST probable answer is "work" of course!
• Note that verb forms are typically graded ALL OR NOTHING, even if only one letter is wrong. For example, if the correct answer for a blank is "sommes" but you write "somes", or "somme", or "sommez" (etc.), you'll score zero for the verb form! MEMORIZE YOUR VERBS ON A REGULAR BASIS!!

4. Reading:

• One or several short texts with questions to answer. Questions can be true/false, multiple choice, fill in the blanks, etc.
• Note that it is not expected that you will understand every single word in the reading. You are, however, expected to know enough to answer the questions.
• Always choose the MOST probable answer. You will have to infer some answers here too. 

5. Essay:

• One short essay (typically 50 words for a chapter exam and 70 words for the final) to be written in French.
• Note that J', l', t', m', le, un, de ... each count as one word.
• Write a coherent paragraph, not just a list of sentences.
• The key to a good essay is to say what you can in simple French. Use what was taught in class, do not try to write something you do not know well or that you remember only vaguely from High School. Keep to what you learned in your class. NEVER use English words in parentheses and do not ask your instructor to translate words for you for the essay; the essay is an integral part of your exam. Use what you know. If you do not know how to say one thing, paraphrase or just say something else! For example, let's imagine you wish to say:  "I live in Athens" but you cannot remember how to say "live" in French. Try to say the same thing differently. Something like: "My apartment is in Athens" or "Athens is my home". If you cannot say it differently, just write something else.
• Do not write too little or too much. If the limit given is a minimum of 50 words, you should of course not write 25 words: there will be a heavy penalty for not meeting the requirement. We also recommend that you do not write too much: if the limit is 50 words minimum, do not write 100 words! There isn't an actual penalty for writing too much, but keep in mind that the more you write, the more you'll make mistakes (it's simply mathematical). And mistakes will count against you. Instead of going for length, focus on accuracy. Quality is better than quantity! If the requirement is 50 words, your goal should be to write no less than 50 words but no more than 60.
• Click here to see a sample essay (56 words exactly).
  

IMPORTANT REMARKS:

1. For the test you only need to bring a pencil or a pen. Please use blue or black ink (not red, pink, green or anything pale).
2. Write legibly. If your instructor cannot read your answer, it will be marked wrong.
3. See syllabus for rules about missed exams.
4. Each written exam (except the final) lasts 50 minutes. Make sure to manage your time well. Your instructor cannot give you extra time.