French
UAB Languages exams are proficiency exams, meaning that they test knowledge and communicative skills from an external perspective, regardless of the course taken, in line with the descriptors of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) for each level.
UAB Idiomes courses match the CEFR levels, but its exams assess different levels of language proficiency, not the specific content of courses, nor any other particular areas that may have been covered.
DESCRIPTION
The Level A1 French exam consists of four parts.
1. Reading comprehension test
Evaluate reading comprehension capacity using simple informative or descriptive texts, instructions, messages, signs, posters and adverts.
There are two or three exercises which may be multiple choice or short answer questions (maximum five words), sentences to complete (maximum five words) or relating and sequencing tasks. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
2. Listening comprehension test
Evaluates overall listening comprehension with the capacity to understand conversation between native speakers, advertisements and instructions.
There are two or three exercises which may be multiple choice or short answer questions (maximum five words), sentences to complete (maximum five words) or relating and sequencing tasks. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
The recordings will be played twice.
3. Writing test
Includes the production of two written texts, one interactional (for example, a form) and the other descriptive. The total number of words should be no fewer than 80 and no more than 110.
4. Speaking test
The test is done in pairs and consists of two parts:
1) Brief individual comments on family and everyday life.
2) A controlled conversation between candidates on everyday and personal matters.
Candidates have a preparation period of 5 minutes.
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Sample Exam A1
Answer Key
DURATION
The reading comprehension, listening and writing texts last a maximum of 90 minutes. The speaking test lasts approximately 15 minutes, plus 5 minutes preparation time.
PASS CRITERIA
The four parts of the exam carry the same weight (25%) within the exam as a whole.
Level A1 is accredited when the following two conditions are fulfilled:
1. Obtain at least 50% in each of the tests for the evaluation of production and comprehension skills (written and spoken).
2. Obtain the overall minimum established for accreditation of the level (60%).
MARKING PROCEDURES
The reading comprehension and listening comprehensions tests are corrected by an examiner using a correction model.
The writing test is evaluated by an examiner using the established evaluation criteria which include: a) overall impression, fulfillment of the task and register; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and d) organisation, coherence and cohesion. In the case of doubt, the examiner may consult a second evaluator.
The speaking test is evaluated by two examiners using the established criteria which include: a) fluency, coherence and cohesion; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and pronunciation, intonation and intelligibility. The examiners must agree the grade to be awarded.
DESCRIPTION
The Level A2 French exam consists of four parts.
1. Reading comprehension test
Evaluates reading comprehension capacity using simple informative or descriptive texts, instructions, messages, signs, posters and adverts.
There are two or three exercises which may be multiple choice or short answer questions (maximum five words), sentences to complete (maximum five words) or relating and sequencing tasks. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
2. Listening comprehension test
Evaluates overall listening comprehension with the capacity to understand conversation between native speakers, advertisements and instructions.
There are two or three exercises which may be multiple choice or short answer questions (maximum five words), sentences to complete (maximum five words) or relating and sequencing tasks. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
The recordings will be played twice.
3. Writing test
Includes the production of two written texts, one interactional (for example, a form) and the other descriptive. The total number of words should be no fewer than 160 and no more than 200.
4. Speaking test
The test is done in pairs and consists of two parts:
1) Brief individual comments on family and everyday life.
2) A controlled conversation between candidates on everyday and personal matters.
Candidates have a preparation period of 10 minutes.
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Sampel Test A2
Audio 1
Audio 2
Answer Key
DURATION
The reading comprehension, listening and writing texts last a maximum of 120 minutes. The speaking test lasts approximately 15 minutes, plus 10 minutes preparation time.
PASS CRITERIA
The four parts of the exam carry the same weight (25%) within the exam as a whole.
Level A2 is accredited when the following two conditions are fulfilled:
1. Obtain at least 50% in each of the tests for the evaluation of production and comprehension skills (written and spoken).
2. Obtain the overall minimum established for accreditation of the level (60%).
CORRECTION PROCEDURES
The reading comprehension and listening comprehension tests are corrected by an examiner using a correction model.
The writing test is evaluated by an examiner using the established evaluation criteria which include: a) overall impression, fulfillment of the task and register; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and d) organisation, coherence and cohesion. In the case of doubt, the examiner may consult a second evaluator.
The speaking test is evaluated by two examiners using the established critters which include: a) fluency, coherence and cohesion; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and pronunciation, intonation and intelligibility. The examiners must agree the grade to be awarded.
DESCRIPTION
The Level B1 French exam consists of four parts.
1. Reading comprehension test
Evaluates the capacity for reading comprehension using simple informative, descriptive and argumental texts, instructions, messages and personal correspondence.
There are two or three exercises which may be multiple choice or short answer questions (maximum five words), sentences to complete (maximum five words) or relating and sequencing tasks. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
2. Listening comprehension test
Evaluates overall listening comprehension with the capacity to understand conversation between native speakers, advertisements and instructions, media texts and recorded materials.
There are two or three exercises which may be multiple choice or short answer questions (maximum five words), sentences to complete (maximum five words) or relating and sequencing tasks. The test has a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 20 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
The recordings will be played twice.
3. Writing test
Includes the production of two written texts, one interactional (for example, an e-mail) and the other descriptive, narrative or opinion. The total number of words should be no fewer than 250 and no more than 300.
4. Speaking test
The test is done in pairs and consists of two parts:
1) Individual comments in response to a small textual stimulus.
2) A controlled conversation between candidates on everyday and personal matters.
Candidates have a preparation period of 10 minutes.
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
B1 sample test questions
Audio 1
Audio 2
B1 answer key
DURATION
The reading comprehension, listening and writing texts last a maximum of 180 minutes. The speaking test lasts approximately 20 minutes, plus 10 minutes preparation time.
PASS CRITERIA
The four parts of the exam carry the same weight (25%) within the exam as a whole.
Level B1 is accredited when the following two conditions are fulfilled:
1. Obtain at least 50% in each of the tests for the evaluation of production and comprehension skills (written and spoken).
2. Obtain the overall minimum established for accreditation of the level (60%).
MARKING PROCEDURES
The reading comprehension and listening comprehension tests are corrected by an examiner using a correction model.
The writing test is evaluated by an examiner using the established evaluation criteria which include: a) overall impression, fulfillment of the task and register; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and d) organisation, coherence and cohesion. In the case of doubt, the examiner may consult a second evaluator.
The speaking test is evaluated by two examiners using the established criteria which include: a) fluency, coherence and cohesion; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c)) range and accuracy of grammar and pronunciation, intonation and intelligibility. The examiners must agree the grade to be awarded.
DESCRIPTION
The Level B2 French exam consists of four parts.
1. Reading comprehension test and grammar and vocabulary test
Evaluates the capacity for reading comprehension using simple informative, descriptive or argumental texts, instructions and articles, and also knowledge of grammar and vocabulary.
There are different exercises which may be multiple choice or short answer questions (maximum seven words), sentences to complete (maximum seven words),relating and sequencing tasks or true or false questions with justification. For the evaluation of grammar and vocabulary the questions may be definition of words or expressions, giving synonyms, rewording sentences or answering multiple choice questions.
The test has a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 25 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
2. Listening comprehension test
Evaluates overall listening comprehension with the capacity to understand conversation between native speakers, advertisements and instructions, media texts and recorded materials.
There are two or three exercises which may be multiple choice or short answer questions (maximum seven words), sentences to complete (maximum seven words) or relating and sequencing tasks. The test has a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 25 items, and all questions carry the same weight in the test.
The recordings will be played twice.
3. Writing test
Includes the production of two written texts, one interactional (for example, an e-mail) and the other descriptive, narrative or opinion. The total number of words should be no fewer than 300 and no more than 400.
4. Speaking test
The test is done in pairs and consists of two parts:
1) Individual comments in response to a small visual stimulus.
2) Interaction between candidates on different current topics.
Candidates have a preparation period of 15 minutes.
SAMPLE TEST QUESTIONS
Sample test B2
Answer Key
DURATION
The reading comprehension, listening and writing texts last a maximum of 180 minutes. The speaking test lasts approximately 20 minutes, plus 15 minutes preparation time.
PASS CRITERIA
The four parts of the exam carry the same weight (25%) within the exam as a whole.
Level B2.2 is accredited when the following two conditions are fulfilled:
1. Obtain at least 50% in each of the tests for the evaluation of production and comprehension skills (written and spoken).
2. Obtain the overall minimum established for accreditation of the level (60%).
MARKING PROCEDURES
The reading comprehension and listening comprehension tests are corrected by an examiner using a marking model.
The writing test is evaluated by an examiner using the established evaluation criteria which include: a) overall impression, fulfillment of the task and register; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and d) organiation, coherence and cohesion. In the case of doubt, the examiner may consult a second evaluator.
The speaking test is evaluated by two examiners using the established criteria which include: a) fluency, coherence and cohesion; b) range and accuracy of vocabulary; c) range and accuracy of grammar and pronunciation, intonation and intelligibility. The examiners must agree the grade to be awarded.
