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About AQA GCSE French
AQA GCSE French is code 8652, and it has four papers rather than two. Paper 1 is Listening, Paper 2 is Speaking, Paper 3 is Reading and Paper 4 is Writing. Each is worth 25% of the GCSE. The version we work from is version 1.2, dated August 2026, for exams from June 2026 onwards. It is tiered, with a Foundation tier awarding grades 1 to 5 and a Higher tier awarding 4 to 9, and a Higher student who just misses grade 4 is awarded an allowed grade 3.
The tier is not chosen per paper. AQA states that students must take all four question papers at the same tier, and that all question papers must be taken in the same series. The Listening paper repeats the point, saying students may be entered for either tier but must enter at the same tier for all four skills. So the decision is made once, before the course, and it governs the whole subject.
The marks are the part most often misquoted, so here it is plainly. At Foundation tier, Listening carries 40 raw marks, Speaking 50, Reading 50 and Writing 50. At Higher tier every paper carries 50 raw marks. AQA scales only one component: Foundation Listening is multiplied by 1.25 to bring 40 raw marks up to 50 scaled marks. Every other paper at both tiers is multiplied by one. The total scaled mark is 200 at both tiers, so all four papers really are worth 25% each, but the raw marks underneath are not equal.
Paper 2 Speaking is non-exam assessment. It lasts 7 to 9 minutes at Foundation tier and 10 to 12 minutes at Higher, with 15 minutes of supervised preparation at both tiers, and it is worth 50 marks and 25% of the GCSE. It is made up of a role-play, a reading aloud task with a short conversation, and a photo card discussion. Because it is assessed by the centre rather than in an exam hall, it shapes who can enter this subject and how. If you want to see how GCSE French compares across boards, the subject page sets them side by side.
Who AQA GCSE French Is For
This course suits students sitting AQA GCSE French 8652 who need all four skills prepared separately, with the speaking assessment handled properly rather than left to chance.
- Year 10 and Year 11 students sitting AQA GCSE French 8652 this year
- Students who are strong on reading and writing but lose marks on dictation and listening
- Students whose speaking is fluent but whose grammar accuracy does not show it on paper
- Students preparing for Higher tier, where the overlap question and a 150 word task both appear
- Private candidates, who need a centre able to conduct the non-exam assessment speaking test
AQA GCSE French: The Board We Cover
AQA is the board this page covers. Every fact here comes from AQA's own 8652 specification.
AQA
AQA's GCSE French is code 8652, tiered, with four papers worth 25% each. Listening, Reading and Writing are written exams and Speaking is non-exam assessment. Every paper carries 50 raw marks except Foundation Listening, which carries 40 and is scaled by 1.25 to reach 50. The total scaled mark is 200 at both tiers.
How Centaurus Helps AQA GCSE French Students Excel
Four Skills, Four Plans
Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing are each worth 25%, so each gets its own preparation instead of being folded into one revision routine.
Dictation Practised Properly
The Listening paper includes a dictation section at both tiers, which is a specific skill that rewards regular practice rather than general listening.
Speaking Rehearsed to the Format
The role-play, reading aloud task and photo card discussion are practised in the order and timing the assessment uses, including the 15 minutes of preparation.
Translation in Both Directions
French into English appears on the Reading paper and English into French on the Writing paper, so translation is taught as its own skill at each tier's word length.
Grammar Accuracy Given Its Share
Accuracy in the prescribed grammar and vocabulary carries a fifth of the qualification, so it is marked regularly rather than assumed.
24/7 Progress Reporting
Families get access to the Centaurus Academy LMS, with attendance, progress and lesson notes available to parents, students and teachers at any time.
Why Centaurus Stands Out
Choosing the right AQA GCSE French support makes a real difference. Here is how Centaurus Academy compares with typical online providers.
Meet our Team Of Experts
Our expert tutors bring deep subject knowledge and a passion for teaching — helping every student reach their full potential.
What Parents Say About Us
Hear from the parents and students who have experienced our personalised teaching first-hand.
Excellent long-term experience
We have an excellent long-term experience with the academy and Sir Awais. Our three children studied with them during different periods and succeeded well. We highly recommend the academy.
Excellent academy
Centaurus Academy is truly one of the best educational institutions I've come across. The environment is nurturing, the staff are incredibly dedicated, and the quality of education is outstanding. They focus not only on academic excellence but also on character building and personal growth. The teachers are supportive and go the extra mile to ensure every student feels confident and motivated.
My child has gained confidence
I'm very satisfied with the dedication and teaching approach. My child has gained confidence and improved significantly in understanding math concepts, thanks to the teacher's clear explanations and supportive guidance.
AQA GCSE French: Frequently Asked Questions
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