MB Français 40S exam-day guide
MB Français 40S · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the government-issued photo ID your school or provider requires. Confirm with the provider which forms of ID are accepted and whether a student card alone is sufficient.
Admission or registration confirmation
Print or download any confirmation showing your name, the exam session, and the location or platform. If you were not given one, confirm with the provider whether it is needed.
Know your exam format and timing
Confirm with the provider whether the MB Français 40S sitting is written, oral, or both, how long each part lasts, and whether parts are scheduled separately. Do not assume a format.
Permitted writing tools
Bring pens and pencils as your school allows. Confirm with the provider whether correction fluid, highlighters, or erasers are permitted.
Dictionaries and reference materials
Confirm with the provider whether a French-English dictionary, monolingual dictionary, or thesaurus is allowed, and whether the provider supplies it. Bring only what is explicitly permitted.
Approved calculator or devices
A language exam normally does not require a calculator, but confirm with the provider what electronic devices, if any, are allowed. Phones and smartwatches are typically not permitted at your desk.
Water and a light snack
Bring water in a clear container and a snack for before or after the sitting if your room permits it. Confirm with the provider whether food and drink are allowed at the desk.
Watch or timekeeping
If you rely on a watch, confirm with the provider whether wristwatches are permitted, since some rooms prohibit smartwatches. Most rooms display a clock, but do not count on it.
Transport plan and arrival time
Plan your route and arrive early. Confirm with the provider the exact reporting time and how late arrivals are handled, since policies vary by centre.
Know the room or platform
Note the building, room number, or online platform and any login details. Confirm with the provider in advance if you have not received this information.
Accommodations confirmed
If you have an approved accommodation such as extra time or a separate room, confirm with the provider in advance that it is arranged for this sitting.
Emergency contact and provider phone number
Save the school or exam office number in case of delay or illness, and know whom to notify if you cannot attend.
Plan the day
Re-read the official instructions for the sitting and confirm the format, duration, permitted materials, and location. Review your French course notes and practice texts rather than cramming new material. Practise one timed response in each skill the exam covers, such as reading comprehension, written production, and oral interaction if applicable. Check that your ID is valid and that your transport plan works. Sleep on a regular schedule.
Pack your bag with ID, confirmation, pens, pencils, water, and any permitted reference materials. Lay out clothes and confirm your alarm and travel time. Do a light review of key grammar, verb tenses, and useful transition phrases, then stop studying early. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine late in the day, and aim for a full night's sleep. Confirm with the provider if you still lack room or platform details.
Eat a proper breakfast and arrive at the reporting time with time to spare. Leave unnecessary devices and valuables at home or stored as directed. Read the front page of the exam paper carefully, note the total time and mark allocation, and listen to all invigilator instructions. Settle in, breathe, and begin with the sections you can answer most confidently.
Read each question fully before answering and watch the clock, allocating time in proportion to mark value. For reading sections, identify key words and evidence in the text before choosing an answer. For writing, plan briefly, use varied sentence structures and correct agreement, and leave a few minutes to proofread. For oral parts, listen to the whole prompt, ask for clarification if permitted, and speak in complete French sentences. If time runs short, answer remaining questions concisely rather than leaving blanks.
Rules to check
Bring the photo identification required by your school or provider and keep it visible on request. Confirm with the provider which documents are accepted and what happens if you arrive without them.
Follow all instructions from the invigilator or supervisor. Do not begin before you are told to start, and stop writing or speaking immediately when time is called.
Keep only permitted materials at your desk. Phones, smartwatches, and other devices must be stored or switched off as directed; confirm with the provider what is allowed in the room.
Raise your hand if you need to leave the room, need materials, or feel unwell. Confirm with the provider the rules on breaks and supervised washroom access, as these vary by centre.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the sitting, and do not share or request answers. Academic honesty rules apply to written, oral, and online components alike.
If you are writing online, work only in the approved platform and do not open other tabs or applications. Confirm with the provider the rules on technical problems and how to report them.
Scoring and weighting are set by the provider. Confirm with the provider how each section is weighted and what the passing standard is rather than relying on rumour.
If illness or an emergency prevents you from attending or finishing, notify the school or exam office as soon as possible and confirm with the provider what documentation and options apply.