HSC French Extension exam-day guide

Sit one full timed practice paper under exam conditions, ideally at the same time of day as the real exam. Mark it honestly against the criteria and list the two or three weaknesses that cost the most marks, such as verb tense accuracy, range of vocabulary, or structure of the extended response.

Rework those weaknesses with targeted exercises rather than rereading notes. For French Extension this usually means drafting short analytical paragraphs in French, practising linking words and complex structures, and checking accuracy in agreement and tense.

Confirm the practical details: start time, room, permitted materials including dictionary rules, ID requirements, and whether annotated texts are allowed. If anything is unclear, confirm with the provider now rather than on the morning.

Do a second, shorter timed task, focusing on planning speed and handwriting legibility. Practise writing a plan for an extended response in three to five minutes, then drafting within the time limit.

Review your personal error list, not the whole course. Recheck high-frequency grammar points, a bank of connectives, and useful expressions for argument and analysis, then test yourself by writing sentences from memory.

Do light revision only: skim your summary sheets, your error list, and a couple of model paragraphs you have written yourself. Avoid learning new content, which tends to displace what you already know.

Prepare everything you will take: ID, pens, pencils, water, watch, and any permitted materials. Set out clothes and bag. Check transport times and set two alarms.

Stop studying at a reasonable hour, eat well, and sleep. Sleep consolidates language knowledge more effectively than late-night cramming.

Eat breakfast, arrive early, and avoid group discussions about content that could raise anxiety. Do a short five-minute warm-up in French, such as reading a paragraph aloud or writing three sentences, to activate the language.

Hand in or store all devices as instructed, present your ID, and take your seat. Listen carefully to the reading time instructions and use reading time to survey the paper rather than to start writing.

Read the whole paper, note the marks for each section, and write your time allocation on the top of the paper. Start with the section you can do most confidently, but do not overrun your allocation.

Read the French text or texts twice: once for overall meaning and once for detail. Underline key expressions and identify the writer's tone or viewpoint before writing answers. Answer in French unless the question directs otherwise, and match the length and form required.

Spend a few minutes planning structure, key ideas, and vocabulary. Write in clear paragraphs with an introduction and conclusion where appropriate. Use varied sentence structures and accurate tenses, and support every point with evidence from the text or your own reasoning.

Check the basics systematically: verb endings, gender and number agreement, accents, and word order. Make sure every question has an answer and that you have not left a section blank. Cross out rough work clearly.

Write brief but complete answers rather than perfect long ones. A short, accurate response earns more than an unfinished paragraph. Leave a line and move on if a question blocks you, then return if time permits.