What is the difference between Foundation and Higher Tier GCSE French?

Wondering whether to take Foundation or Higher tier for your French GCSE?

Both tiers cover the same themes, and the exams are generally structured in the same way, with some exceptions (for instance, the number of questions, and the length of the answers candidates are expected to provide, are often different between the tiers). Both Foundation and Higher tier have sections for writing, reading, listening and speaking.

However, the material encountered on the Higher tier will be more challenging than the material in Foundation Tier.

Consequently, candidates who take the Higher Tier exams can score between a 4 and a 9. For the Foundation Tier, students can score between 1 and 5. Students will need to achieve grade 4 or higher to pass the exam.

Foundation Tier

• simpler vocabulary
• simpler sentence structures
• easier questions
• shorter recordings and slower pace on the listening section
• more multiple-choice questions
• expected word counts for answers are shorter
  
  

Higher Tier

• richer vocabulary will be encountered in the texts and expected of the candidate
• more complex sentences structures
• more demanding questions
• longer recordings and quicker pace on the listening section
• expected word counts for answers are longer
• candidates expected to display a fuller knowledge of French grammar

Whether you're taking Foundation or Higher Tier, you will need to develop your skills and confidence in French and be able to provide cogent answers to the questions on the exam.

Alexa's GCSE Preparation Course is designed to help you achieve exactly that. It covers themes such as identity, lifestyle, popular culture, communication and the world around us, providing extensive resources across six sections in the form of detailed video lessons, as well as support guides, worksheets, multiple choice quizzes, gap fill exercises and much more.

Alexa also provides additional free resources on YouTube to help students get to grips with the French GCSE exams. From learning how to talk about yourself to describing your house, Alexa walks you through the essentials. We now also have a YouTube channel dedicated exclusive to GCSE French content.

In addition, our blogs on the GCSE are free to read, and provide helpful tips and advice on all aspects of the exam - from reasons why you should take French in the first place to how to get top marks on the exam.