Education post-16

AQA

GCSE

Examination of the French educational landscape following the end of compulsory schooling at age 16. Analysis focuses on the tripartite structure of the Lycée (Général, Technologique, Professionnel), the cultural and administrative significance of the Baccalauréat, and the dualistic nature of higher education characterized by the schism between open-access Universities and selective Grandes Écoles. Critical evaluation of recent reforms, specifically the 'Réforme Blanquer' and the implementation of Parcoursup, is essential for understanding contemporary tensions regarding social mobility, elitism, and youth unemployment in France.

Objectives

Exam Tips

Pitfalls

Key Terms

Mark Points

What You Need to Demonstrate

Key skills and knowledge for this topic

Award marks for accurate manipulation of future simple (e.g., 'j'irai') versus near future (e.g., 'je vais aller') to distinguish between definite plans and vague intentions.
Credit the use of complex structures such as 'si' clauses (e.g., 'Si j'ai de bonnes notes, j'irai à la fac') and subjunctive triggers (e.g., 'Il faut que je fasse').
Candidates must link opinions on vocational training vs. academic study with justified reasons (e.g., 'parce que je veux gagner de l'argent tout de suite').
Reward specific, high-level vocabulary related to the French education system: 'le baccalauréat', 'la fac', 'les grandes écoles', 'en alternance'.

Example Examiner Feedback

Real feedback patterns examiners use when marking

"You have listed your future plans; now explain *why* you chose this path to secure marks for justification."
"Good use of the near future ('je vais'); try to include the simple future ('je ferai') or conditional ('je ferais') for higher grammatical range."
"Your vocabulary is accurate, but try to use more complex connectives than 'et' and 'mais' to link your ideas."
"Watch out for 'faux amis'—ensure you are using 'actuellement' (currently) and not 'en fait' (actually) when discussing current studies."

Marking Points

Key points examiners look for in your answers

Award marks for accurate manipulation of future simple (e.g., 'j'irai') versus near future (e.g., 'je vais aller') to distinguish between definite plans and vague intentions.
Credit the use of complex structures such as 'si' clauses (e.g., 'Si j'ai de bonnes notes, j'irai à la fac') and subjunctive triggers (e.g., 'Il faut que je fasse').
Candidates must link opinions on vocational training vs. academic study with justified reasons (e.g., 'parce que je veux gagner de l'argent tout de suite').
Reward specific, high-level vocabulary related to the French education system: 'le baccalauréat', 'la fac', 'les grandes écoles', 'en alternance'.

Examiner Tips

Expert advice for maximising your marks

💡In the 150-word writing task, ensure at least two distinct time frames are used, with a heavy emphasis on the future and conditional for this topic.
💡Use 'connecteurs logiques' (e.g., 'cependant', 'par contre', 'en outre') to structure arguments about the benefits of university vs. work.
💡When reading texts about 'l'apprentissage', look for synonyms for work/study balance (e.g., 'mélanger études et travail').
💡Check adjectival agreements carefully when describing ideal jobs or institutions (e.g., 'une université prestigieuse').

Common Mistakes

Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers

Confusing 'passer un examen' (to take an exam) with 'réussir un examen' (to pass an exam).
Overuse of 'je voudrais' without variation; failure to use 'j'ai l'intention de' or 'je compte'.
Incorrect prepositions when discussing future study (e.g., 'aller à l'université' vs 'aller en France').
Lapsing into present tense when the question specifically asks about future plans (post-16).

Key Terminology

Essential terms to know

Likely Command Words

How questions on this topic are typically asked

Décrivez

Expliquez

Mentionnez

Ecrivez

Traduisez

Justifiez

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