Leaving Cert French · Exam Structure
How Many Marks Is Leaving Cert French Worth?
A full breakdown of oral, aural and written marks at Higher and Ordinary Level — and what it means for how you should study.
Leaving Cert French is worth 400 marks in total, split across four components: Oral, Aural (Listening), Reading Comprehension and Written Expression. Combined reading and writing carries the most weight overall (55%), but the exact split between components is different at Higher and Ordinary Level — Ordinary Level leans more on reading comprehension, Higher Level more on written production.
| Component | Marks | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Exam | 100 | 25% |
| Aural (Listening) Exam | 80 | 20% |
| Reading Comprehension | 120 | 30% |
| Written Expression | 100 | 25% |
| Total | 400 | 100% |
| Component | Marks | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Oral Exam | 80 | 20% |
| Aural (Listening) Exam | 100 | 25% |
| Reading Comprehension | 160 | 40% |
| Written Expression | 60 | 15% |
| Total | 400 | 100% |
Note: Oral and Aural swap weighting between levels, and Ordinary Level puts significantly more weight on reading comprehension.
The Oral Exam — 25% at Higher Level (20% at Ordinary Level)
The oral exam is a conversation lasting around 12–15 minutes, conducted by a State Examiner. It's one of the more approachable places to pick up marks, since you have real influence over how the conversation unfolds — you can steer it toward topics you've prepared thoroughly.
The Aural (Listening) Exam — 20% at Higher Level (25% at Ordinary Level)
The aural exam takes place after the written paper on exam day. At Higher Level, most sections are played three times, with the final section played twice. It rewards precision — writing down exact details as you hear them — over general comprehension alone.
Reading Comprehension — 30% at Higher Level (40% at Ordinary Level)
Reading comprehension carries even more weight at Ordinary Level, where it's the single largest component of the exam. At both levels, it rewards finding the exact evidence for an answer in the text, rather than relying on general understanding alone.
Written Expression — 25% at Higher Level (15% at Ordinary Level)
Written expression (essays, opinion pieces, functional writing) carries considerably more weight at Higher Level. Because reading and writing together still make up 55% of the total at both levels, strong written technique — structure, accuracy, and range of vocabulary — has an outsized effect on your final grade either way.
Preparing for all three?
The Complete 36-Week Higher Level French Programme covers oral, aural and written preparation together, week by week, from September to the exam.
Explore the Complete ProgrammeFrequently Asked Questions
How much is the French oral worth in the Leaving Cert?
25% at Higher Level (100 marks out of 400) or 20% at Ordinary Level (80 marks). It's conducted as a conversation lasting 12 to 15 minutes with a State Examiner.
How many marks is the French aural or listening exam worth?
20% at Higher Level (80 marks) or 25% at Ordinary Level (100 marks). It takes place after the written paper on exam day.
How many marks is the French written exam worth?
Combined reading comprehension and written expression make up 55% of the total at both levels — but the split differs: Higher Level is 30% reading / 25% writing, while Ordinary Level is 40% reading / 15% writing.
Is the marks breakdown the same for Ordinary Level French?
No, not exactly. Combined reading and written skills are worth 55% at both levels, but Oral and Aural swap weighting (25%/20% at Higher Level becomes 20%/25% at Ordinary Level), and Ordinary Level puts far more weight on reading comprehension (40% vs 30%) and less on written expression (15% vs 25%).
