$5one-time
- 31-page printable PDF
- 186 terms with examples
- 40 practice questions, answers explained
- 2-page cram sheet and study plans
← CLEP French Language course
CLEP® Study Guide
Printable PDF · 31 pages
CLEP French Language Study Guide
Official exam name: French Language: Levels 1 and 2
Everything the CLEP French Language exam tests, in one PDF you can print. Built from the College Board's official outline, heaviest topics first.
- 186 key terms, each with an example
- 40 practice questions with every answer explained
- A 2-page cram sheet for the night before
- 2-, 4- and 8-week study plans built from the exam weights
Last updated 2026 · exam details checked against the College Board's published exam information in 2026
Look inside the guide
Real pages from the 31-page PDF.
What you get for $5
One chapter for each official content area, in the order the exam weighs them.
- 📘31pages, printable
- 🧭3chapters, heaviest first
- 🔑186terms with examples
- ✍️40practice questions, answers explained
- ⚠️9exam traps to avoid
- 📄2page cram sheet
Try 10 free French Language questions
In the style of the real exam, from all 3 areas. About 10 minutes, with every answer explained and a score by area.
10 questions
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Question 1 · Reading
Si nous gagnions au loto, nous ______ une grande maison.
Show the answer
Answer: D. achèterions. A si-clause in the imparfait (gagnions) calls for the conditionnel in the result: nous achèterions (we would buy).
The trap: Achèterons is the future, which follows si + présent (si nous gagnons), not si + imparfait.
A si-clause in the imparfait (gagnions) calls for the conditionnel in the result: nous achèterions (we would buy).
The trap: Achèterons is the future, which follows si + présent (si nous gagnons), not si + imparfait.
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Question 2 · Listening: Dialogues and Narratives
Léa : Tu cherches toujours un appartement, Marc ? — Marc : Oui, mais près de la fac, les loyers sont trop chers. — Léa : Alors cherche plutôt dans un quartier plus éloigné ; avec le métro, tu seras à la fac en vingt minutes. Quel conseil Léa donne-t-elle à Marc ?
Show the answer
Answer: A. Chercher un logement plus loin de la fac.. Léa tells Marc to look in a neighborhood farther away (plus éloigné) and take the metro to the university. The question asks for her advice, not Marc's problem.
The trap: Partager le loyer avec un colocataire is wrong: sharing the rent is a common way to save, but Léa never suggests it.
Léa tells Marc to look in a neighborhood farther away (plus éloigné) and take the metro to the university. The question asks for her advice, not Marc's problem.
The trap: Partager le loyer avec un colocataire is wrong: sharing the rent is a common way to save, but Léa never suggests it.
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Question 3 · Listening: Rejoinders
« Merci infiniment pour votre aide, Madame. » Choisissez la meilleure réponse pour compléter la conversation.
Show the answer
Answer: C. Je vous en prie, c'est normal.. Thanks are answered with a formula meaning "you're welcome." Je vous en prie uses the formal vous, which matches Madame.
The trap: Merci, je n'ai besoin de rien is wrong: it echoes merci and rien (as in de rien), but it turns down an offer that nobody made.
Thanks are answered with a formula meaning "you're welcome." Je vous en prie uses the formal vous, which matches Madame.
The trap: Merci, je n'ai besoin de rien is wrong: it echoes merci and rien (as in de rien), but it turns down an offer that nobody made.
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Question 4 · Reading
Il est important que vous ______ à l'heure demain.
Show the answer
Answer: B. soyez. Il est important que requires the subjunctive, and the subjunctive of être for vous is soyez.
The trap: Serez is the future. Demain points ahead, but il est important que still takes the subjunctive.
Il est important que requires the subjunctive, and the subjunctive of être for vous is soyez.
The trap: Serez is the future. Demain points ahead, but il est important que still takes the subjunctive.
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Question 5 · Listening: Dialogues and Narratives
— Allô, bonjour. Je téléphone au sujet de l'annonce dans le journal. — Ah oui, le poste de serveur ? Venez mardi à dix heures parler avec le patron. — Parfait, à mardi. Pourquoi cette personne téléphone-t-elle ?
Show the answer
Answer: B. Elle s'intéresse à un emploi.. An ad in the paper about a poste (job), a meeting with the boss and the word serveur show that she is applying for a job.
The trap: Elle commande un repas is wrong: serveur is a restaurant word, but the caller is asking about a position, not food.
An ad in the paper about a poste (job), a meeting with the boss and the word serveur show that she is applying for a job.
The trap: Elle commande un repas is wrong: serveur is a restaurant word, but the caller is asking about a position, not food.
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Question 6 · Listening: Rejoinders
« Excuse-moi, j'ai renversé ton verre. » Choisissez la meilleure réponse pour compléter la conversation.
Show the answer
Answer: A. Ce n'est pas grave, il était presque vide.. An apology is answered by reassurance. Ce n'est pas grave means "no harm done," and the glass was nearly empty anyway.
The trap: Avec plaisir, je prendrai du vin is wrong: it accepts a drink, but nobody offered one; the prompt is an apology.
An apology is answered by reassurance. Ce n'est pas grave means "no harm done," and the glass was nearly empty anyway.
The trap: Avec plaisir, je prendrai du vin is wrong: it accepts a drink, but nobody offered one; the prompt is an apology.
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Question 7 · Reading
— As-tu téléphoné à tes parents ? — Oui, je ______ ai téléphoné hier.
Show the answer
Answer: C. leur. Téléphoner takes à + a person, so the indirect object pronoun is needed. Leur replaces 'to them' (plural).
The trap: Les is a direct object pronoun, but téléphoner à takes an indirect object.
Téléphoner takes à + a person, so the indirect object pronoun is needed. Leur replaces 'to them' (plural).
The trap: Les is a direct object pronoun, but téléphoner à takes an indirect object.
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Question 8 · Listening: Dialogues and Narratives
Camille a reçu une bourse d'études pour aller à Québec. Elle est contente, mais elle a peur de quitter sa famille. Elle partira en septembre, après avoir passé son dernier examen. Que fera Camille avant de partir ?
Show the answer
Answer: D. Passer un dernier examen.. Après avoir passé son dernier examen means she will first take her last exam, and only then leave in September.
The trap: Demander une autre bourse is wrong: she has already received one. The word bourse appears, but the passage says nothing about asking for more.
Après avoir passé son dernier examen means she will first take her last exam, and only then leave in September.
The trap: Demander une autre bourse is wrong: she has already received one. The word bourse appears, but the passage says nothing about asking for more.
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Question 9 · Listening: Rejoinders
« J'ai gagné le concours de piano ! » Choisissez la meilleure réponse pour compléter la conversation.
Show the answer
Answer: B. Félicitations, tu le mérites !. Good news about a success is answered with Félicitations, which means "congratulations."
The trap: Bonne chance pour le concours is wrong: it wishes luck before an event, but the contest is already won.
Good news about a success is answered with Félicitations, which means "congratulations."
The trap: Bonne chance pour le concours is wrong: it wishes luck before an event, but the contest is already won.
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Question 10 · Reading
Elle s'est blessée ______ de son vélo.
Show the answer
Answer: D. en tombant. En + present participle (the gérondif) tells how or when something happened: she hurt herself falling off her bike.
The trap: Par tomber copies English 'by falling'. French shows how something happened with en + -ant, not par + infinitive.
En + present participle (the gérondif) tells how or when something happened: she hurt herself falling off her bike.
The trap: Par tomber copies English 'by falling'. French shows how something happened with en + -ant, not par + infinitive.
The CLEP French Language exam at a glance
The CLEP French Language: Levels 1 and 2 exam is a computer-based test from the College Board. It has approximately 121 questions in three separately timed sections, in 90 minutes; some are unscored pretest questions. A score of 50 on the 20–80 scale earns an ACE credit recommendation of 6 semester hours, though each college sets its own policy. The exam covers 3 content areas; the heaviest is Reading at 60%.
- Questions
- About 121multiple choice
- Time
- 90 minseparately timed sections
- Passing score
- 50on a 20–80 scale
- ACE credit
- 6semester hours
- Exam fee
- $97paid to College Board
- Calculator
- Nonot allowed
Source: official CLEP French Language: Levels 1 and 2 exam page.
What the exam covers
3 areas, heaviest first. The guide's chapters follow this order.
- Reading60%
- Listening: Dialogues and Narratives25%
- Listening: Rejoinders15%
How it works
- 1Buy once, $5Secure checkout. No subscription needed.
- 2Download the PDFFrom your TransferCredit.org account, right away and any time later.
- 3Study the heaviest areas firstFollow the 2-, 4- or 8-week plan, then read the cram sheet the night before.
Questions students ask
What's in the full CLEP French Language study guide?
31 pages: 3 chapters, one per official content area, heaviest first. 186 terms, each with a plain-English definition and an example, common traps and memory tricks, 40 practice questions with an answer key that explains every answer, question tactics, 2-, 4- and 8-week study plans and a 2-page cram sheet.
How much is the full CLEP French Language study guide?
The full 31-page PDF is $5, a one-time payment. The 10 practice questions on this page are free, with no account.
What does the $29 plan include?
$29 a month gives you all 28 CLEP subjects: every CLEP study guide plus the full prep course for each subject, and you can cancel anytime. If you only need this exam, the guide on its own is a one-time $5.
How do I get the full guide?
Choose Buy this guide ($5) and check out. Then sign in to your TransferCredit.org account, then open the course and its Download Your Study Guide lesson. The PDF is yours to keep, and you can download it again from your account at any time.
Can I print the guide or use it on my phone?
Yes. It's a PDF, so it opens on phones, tablets and computers, and printing is allowed. Its tick boxes and answer bubbles work in PDF readers that support forms. Copying and editing are turned off.
Is this an official CLEP study guide?
No. CLEP® is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in producing this guide and does not endorse it. TransferCredit.org is independent. We built the guide from the official exam outline, and the exam details were checked against the College Board's published exam information in 2026.
Why is this study guide better than a generic review?
It follows the official outline area by area and spends the most pages on what the exam weighs most. Every term comes with an example, each chapter names the traps the exam sets, and the answer key explains why the most tempting wrong answer is wrong, not just which answer is right. It ends with a 2-page cram sheet for the night before.
What is the CLEP French Language exam?
The CLEP French Language: Levels 1 and 2 exam is a computer-based test from the College Board. It has approximately 121 questions in three separately timed sections, in 90 minutes; some are unscored pretest questions. A score of 50 on the 20–80 scale earns an ACE credit recommendation of 6 semester hours, though each college sets its own policy. The exam covers 3 content areas; the heaviest is Reading at 60%.
More questions about the CLEP French Language exam (19)
How many questions are on the CLEP French Language exam, and how long is it?
It has approximately 121 questions in three separately timed sections, in 90 minutes; some are unscored pretest questions.
What is the passing score for CLEP French Language?
The passing score is 50 on a 20–80 scale. At 50 or above, the American Council on Education (ACE) recommends 6 semester hours. Each college sets its own passing score and credit award, so check your school's policy before you book.
How much does the CLEP French Language exam cost?
The exam fee is $97, paid to the College Board. Test centers may add their own administration fee. Eligible U.S. military service members can usually test for free through DANTES.
How many college credits is CLEP French Language worth?
ACE recommends 6 semester hours for a passing score of 50. Your college decides how many credits it awards and which course they replace. Check your college's policy.
Is there a penalty for guessing on CLEP French Language?
No. Your score counts only correct answers, so a wrong answer costs nothing. Never leave a question blank: rule out what you can and pick your best guess.
What topics are on the CLEP French Language exam?
3 content areas, from the official outline: Reading (60%); Listening: Dialogues and Narratives (25%); Listening: Rejoinders (15%).
Which CLEP French Language topics should I study first?
Start with Reading (60%), the largest of the exam's 3 areas, then Listening: Dialogues and Narratives (25%) and Listening: Rejoinders (15%). The guide's chapters run in that order, heaviest first.
Is the CLEP French Language exam hard?
It depends on what you already know. The exam has only 3 content areas, so each one carries real weight: Reading (60%), Listening: Dialogues and Narratives (25%) and Listening: Rejoinders (15%). Take the free diagnostic above to see where you stand in about 10 minutes.
What kinds of questions are on the CLEP French Language exam?
The guide sorts them into 5 types: “Rejoinder”, “Dialogue or narrative question”, “Sentence completion (Part A)”, “Cloze passage (Part B)” and “Reading passage or authentic material (Part C)”. Every question has 4 answer choices. Try the 10 free questions above to see the style.
How long should I study for CLEP French Language?
Use the diagnostic to decide. If you already know most areas, two weeks of daily review is often enough; if the subject is new to you, plan on eight. The full guide has 2-, 4- and 8-week plans built from the exam weights.
How should I pace myself on the CLEP French Language exam?
On average you have about 45 seconds per question (90 minutes for 121 questions). The sections are timed separately, so pace each one on its own: divide its minutes by its questions and check your place halfway through. Listening is paced by the recording, so this matters most in the reading section. If a question takes more than a minute, pick your best guess, mark it and come back.
What happens if I don't pass CLEP French Language?
You can retake a CLEP exam after three months. Use the wait to work through the areas the score report and the diagnostic show you missed.
Do colleges accept CLEP French Language for credit?
CLEP exams are accepted at more than 2,900 U.S. colleges and universities, but each school decides which exams it accepts, the score it requires and the credit it gives. Look up your college's CLEP policy before you book.
How is the guide different from the CLEP French Language course?
The guide is a 31-page PDF for review and self-testing. The CLEP French Language course is a full online course with lessons, quizzes and a practice exam, for $19 with lifetime access. Many students use the guide first, then take the course for the areas the diagnostic flags.
How up to date is this CLEP French Language guide?
Last updated 2026. The exam details were checked against the College Board's published exam information in 2026. Exams change, so confirm the details on the official exam page before you register.
What should I do the night before the exam?
Read the cram sheet once, slowly. Check your test time, the location or remote-proctoring setup, and the ID you need. Then sleep: a rested brain recalls more than a crammed one. In the morning, skim the memory tricks and common traps, then stop studying.
Is there a speaking or writing section on CLEP French?
No. Every question is multiple choice, based on audio you hear or text you read.
Are CLEP French Level 1 and Level 2 separate exams?
No. It's a single exam that covers both levels, and your score decides the credit: ACE recommends 6 semester hours at a score of 50 and 9 at a score of 59. Colleges may award different amounts, so check your school's policy.
Do heritage speakers do well on CLEP French?
Often, yes, especially on listening. Heritage speakers should still review written grammar, since the reading section tests structure and vocabulary in writing.
Choose how you want to study
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CLEP® is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in producing this guide and does not endorse it. TransferCredit.org is independent and not affiliated with the College Board. © 2026 UPI Globale Edu Inc.