Production écrite - a 160–180 word message that meets every requirement
What the examiners reward
You have 45 minutes to write 160–180 words, usually an email, letter or forum post in which you react to a situation: describe an experience, invite, complain, or give and defend an opinion. The marking grid has four strands: adéquation (all required elements, correct register, correct length), cohérence et cohésion (clear paragraphs, logical connectors), lexical range, and grammatical accuracy.
Plan the content as a checklist
Read the prompt twice and number every instruction it contains - there are usually three (racontez, donnez votre avis, proposez une solution). Each becomes one paragraph. Missing one element costs more than a grammar slip.
Traps that cost marks
- Length. Under 160 words is penalised; 170–175 is the safe target. Do not pad with repetition - add an example or a consequence.
- Register. Decide immediately between tu and vous and stay consistent, including greetings (Salut / Bonjour Madame) and closings (À bientôt / Cordialement).
- Copying the prompt. Reusing the instructions' sentences earns nothing; reformulate with your own vocabulary.
- No structure. A single block of text reads as B1-minus; three short paragraphs with d'abord, de plus, cependant, finalement read as B1-plus.
Rule of thumb - 10 / 25 / 10
Spend 10 minutes planning (checklist, ideas, useful expressions, tense choice: passé composé for narration, conditionnel for politeness and hypotheses). Write for 25 minutes. Keep 10 minutes to re-read for agreements, tense endings, plural s, and the word count.