FLA Concours d'Admission

Typically a written phase with multiple-choice sections and longer written papers, followed by an oral phase for shortlisted candidates. The oral usually involves discussing a text, a document or a current-affairs topic, and may include a language interview. Confirm the exact structure and any changes for your intake on the school's official website.

It is a selective competition, so the standard is above a simple school-leaving exam: you need accuracy under time pressure, clean written French and the ability to argue. Difficulty lies less in obscure content than in breadth. Candidates who master fundamentals across all subjects and manage their time well are the ones who stand out.

Retake rules depend on the intake and on the school's internal regulations; some allow a further attempt in a later session, others do not. There is no single rule we can state reliably. Contact the admissions office directly and ask in writing before you plan a second attempt.

Timings differ by section and are set by the organising school for each session. The official convocation or candidate guide gives the precise duration of every paper. Read it carefully and rehearse full papers under the stated time, because pacing, not knowledge, is where most candidates lose marks.

Start with French and mathematics, which carry the most weight and take longest to improve. Add history, geography and civics next, then sciences and the second language. Keep general knowledge and logic as short weekly sessions throughout. Finish with timed mock papers covering several subjects in one sitting.

Running out of time on written papers, thin or disorganised essay structure, careless grammar and spelling, ignoring the exact wording of a question, and freezing during the oral. Another frequent mistake is neglecting one subject entirely because of overconfidence in another. Balanced preparation and repeated timed practice address most of these.

Practise speaking about a short article or text for five minutes, then answering follow-up questions. Record yourself, work on structure and clarity, and learn to acknowledge a gap in knowledge calmly instead of inventing facts. Reading a serious newspaper daily gives you material to discuss with confidence.

These details change every year and are published by the school running the competition, not by third parties. Check the official website and the candidate guide for the current session, and write to the admissions office if anything is unclear. Do not rely on forums or older documents for figures.

No, but written and oral French are assessed directly, so errors cost marks. Aim for clear, correct, well-organised expression rather than literary flourish. Reading essays and press articles and writing short summaries regularly is the most efficient way to raise your level before the competition.