SCQF Level 5 · Qualifications Scotland
National 5 French
Taken by most Scottish pupils in S4, French leads to Higher French in S5. Here is how the course works, what the assessment involves, and what to expect in the exam.
Approximately 2 hours (QP1: 1hr 30min + QP2: ~30min)
Exam duration
50%
Coursework
120
Total marks
S4
Typical year
How Assessment Works
National 5 French is assessed across 4 components, totalling 120 marks.
Question Paper 1: Reading and Writing
ExamSection 1 Reading (30 marks): three passages in French, questions answered in English. Bilingual dictionary permitted. Section 2 Writing (20 marks, scaled to 15): one piece of 120–150 words in French responding to a job advert with 6 bullet points. Bilingual dictionary permitted.
Question Paper 2: Listening
ExamOne monologue (8 marks) + one conversation (12 marks) in French. Answers given in English. No dictionary permitted. Context differs from QP1 Reading.
Assignment — Writing
Coursework120–200 words in French on one of three contexts: society, learning, or culture. Candidates have time for drafting and feedback before final submission. Submitted to Qualifications Scotland for external marking.
Performance — Talking
PerformanceConducted in French in a conversation with the teacher. Covers at least two of the four contexts. Internally assessed and quality assured by Qualifications Scotland.
Grade Boundaries
| Grade | Percentage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| A | 70% or above | Excellent |
| B | 60–69% | Very good |
| C (Pass) | 50–59% | Pass — required for entry to Higher |
| D | 40–49% | Award (does not count as a pass for Higher progression) |
| No Award | Below 40% | Not awarded |
Grade thresholds are the published Qualifications Scotland standard. Actual cut scores are set by post-marking standardisation and are not published.
What You Study
National 5 French is organised into 4 course areas.
Society
- Family and relationships
- Lifestyle and health
- Media and technology
- Global languages
Learning
- Learning in context (school life, subjects)
- Education systems in Scotland and France
Employability
- Work and employment
- Future career plans
- Work experience and job applications
Culture
- Scottish and francophone culture
- Celebrations and traditions
- Literature, film, and the arts
Important Assessment Notes
Talking / Speaking Performance
National 5 French includes an internally assessed talking or speaking performance. This component is conducted with your teacher and contributes to your overall grade. Preparation and regular practice with your teacher is essential.
Listening Paper
National 5 French includes a separate listening paper, which is sat under exam conditions. Audio passages are played and you answer questions in English. No dictionary is permitted in the listening paper.
Assignment Note
The most balanced N5 assessment: roughly 50% from exam papers and 50% from the Assignment–Writing and Talking performance combined. The Talking assessment is scaled to 30 marks — it carries significant weight.
After National 5 French
Most pupils who achieve a grade C or above in National 5 French progress to Higher French in S5. Higher Modern Languages French.
Editor’s note
French has the most balanced split — approximately 50% exam, 50% coursework/performance. The Talking assessment is worth 30 scaled marks (25% of total) and is internally assessed, meaning preparation and practice with your teacher is key. Many pupils underestimate how much it counts.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions about National 5 French
How is National 5 French assessed?
National 5 French is assessed through the following components: Question Paper 1: Reading and Writing (30 (reading, unscaled) + 20 raw marks scaled to 15 (writing), 1 hour 30 minutes (combined)); Question Paper 2: Listening (20 raw marks (scaled to 30), Approximately 30 minutes); Assignment — Writing (20 raw marks (scaled to 15), Internally managed (drafting and feedback allowed)); Performance — Talking (15 raw marks (scaled to 30), Approximately 6–8 minutes). The total is 120 marks, with 50% coming from coursework.
How long is the National 5 French exam?
The National 5 French exam is Approximately 2 hours (QP1: 1hr 30min + QP2: ~30min). There is also a coursework component worth 50% of the total grade.
What grade do you need to pass National 5 French?
You need a grade C or above (50% or more) to pass National 5 French. Grade C is the minimum required for progression to Higher French in S5. Grade A requires 70%+, grade B requires 60–69%, and grade C requires 50–59%.
Does National 5 French have coursework?
Yes — coursework makes up 50% of the total grade in National 5 French. The most balanced N5 assessment: roughly 50% from exam papers and 50% from the Assignment–Writing and Talking performance combined. The Talking assessment is scaled to 30 marks — it carries significant weight.
What do you study in National 5 French?
National 5 French covers the following course areas: Society, Learning, Employability, Culture. Together these give a broad foundation at SCQF Level 5, leading to Higher French in S5.
What comes after National 5 French?
After National 5 French, most pupils progress to Higher Modern Languages French in S5. Check with your school for the full range of Higher options available.
Course data sourced from Qualifications Scotland course specifications. Assessment details correct for the 3.0 (September 2024) specification.
Full course documentation available at qualifications.scot.