French

This is a complete, free study companion for French — built around what the exam actually asks. The topics examiners repeat most are Composition courte en français : récit, description, opinion et image, Compréhension d'un passage inconnu avec réponses en français, and Grammaire objective : choix de la bonne réponse. The syllabus runs to 37 chapters. Below you'll find the full topic-frequency ranking, the exam paper pattern, every chapter, a step-by-step study plan, and the official downloads — everything in one place.

Everything here is free. We're an independent student resource, not the official ICSE & ISC body, so always confirm the current syllabus and exam dates on the official ICSE & ISC website before you rely on them.

Key information

Level: Class 10
Exam: Indian Certificate of Secondary Education
Conducted by: Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

Most frequently examined topics

#	Topic	Times asked
1	Composition courte en français : récit, description, opinion et image	15
2	Compréhension d'un passage inconnu avec réponses en français	15
3	Grammaire objective : choix de la bonne réponse	15
4	Lettre informelle ou semi-formelle en 150 mots	6
5	Temps verbaux : présent, passé composé, imparfait, futur simple	6
6	Pronoms COD, COI, en, y et ordre des pronoms	6
7	Traduction du français vers l'anglais	3
8	Traduction de l'anglais vers le français	3
9	Dialogue écrit sur une situation quotidienne	3
10	Pronoms relatifs simples : qui, que, dont, où	3
11	Négation : ne... pas, ne... rien, ne... personne, ne... plus, ne... ni... ni	3
12	Expression personnelle et justification d'une opinion	3

Counted across the official previous-year question papers we have analysed for this subject. It shows what has been asked before — it does not predict what will appear in your exam. Always confirm the current syllabus on the official portal.

What you will study (chapters)

Chapter 1: Composition courte en français
Chapter 2: Lettre formelle et lettre informelle
Chapter 3: Compréhension d'un passage inconnu
Chapter 4: Vocabulaire, syntaxe et idiomes
Chapter 5: Articles définis, indéfinis, contractés et partitifs
Chapter 6: Adjectifs démonstratifs, possessifs, qualificatifs et interrogatifs
Chapter 7: Interrogation et pronoms interrogatifs
Chapter 8: Négation
Chapter 9: Pronoms sujets, démonstratifs, possessifs, COD, COI, quantité, lieu et relatifs simples
Chapter 10: Prépositions et noms géographiques
Chapter 11: Temps verbaux et verbes pronominaux
Chapter 12: Comparatifs et superlatifs
Chapter 13: Exercices de conjugaison et transformation de phrases
Chapter 14: Traduction du français vers l'anglais
Chapter 15: Traduction de l'anglais vers le français
Chapter 16: Dialogue écrit sur des situations de la vie quotidienne
Chapter 17: Self, Family and Friends
Chapter 18: Important Events
Chapter 19: Interests and Hobbies
Chapter 20: Home and Locality
Chapter 21: Daily Routine
Chapter 22: School
Chapter 23: Travel, Transport and Tourism
Chapter 24: Accommodation
Chapter 25: Restaurant
Chapter 26: Directions
Chapter 27: Holiday Activities
Chapter 28: Services
Chapter 29: Home Life
Chapter 30: Everyday Living and Health
Chapter 31: Work Experience
Chapter 32: Leisure
Chapter 33: Shopping
Chapter 34: The Environment
Chapter 35: Listening Skills
Chapter 36: Speaking Skills
Chapter 37: Creative Writing Skills

How to study French and score well

Start with the highest-frequency topics — In French, Composition courte en français : récit, description, opinion et image, Compréhension d'un passage inconnu avec réponses en français, Grammaire objective : choix de la bonne réponse, and Lettre informelle ou semi-formelle en 150 mots appear again and again in past papers. Master these first — they return the most marks for the time you put in.
Practise with previous-year papers — Solve the last 5–10 years of ICSE & ISC French papers under timed, exam-like conditions. Past papers show exactly which topics repeat and how questions are worded.
Revise actively, not passively — Write a one-page summary for each of the 37 chapters — key definitions, formulas and the points examiners reward — then re-test yourself instead of re-reading.
Mark your answers with the official scheme — After each practice paper, score yourself against the official marking scheme. It shows how marks are awarded step-by-step, so you learn to present answers the way examiners expect.

Exam tips: how to score higher in French

Where students lose marks: rushing the high-weightage questions, skipping the steps the marking scheme rewards, and saving easy sections for last. Read the whole paper first, attempt your strongest section early to bank marks, and always show your working.

Manage your time: split your time in proportion to the marks each section carries, keep a few minutes at the end to check, and never leave a question blank — a partial, structured answer still earns partial marks.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most important topics in French?

Based on past papers, the most frequently asked topics include Composition courte en français : récit, description, opinion et image, Compréhension d'un passage inconnu avec réponses en français, Grammaire objective : choix de la bonne réponse. The full ranked list with how often each appears is in the "Most important topics" section above.

Where can I download French previous-year question papers?

Official ICSE & ISC previous-year question papers are available on the official ICSE & ISC website. Open the Question Papers section for the direct link, plus the exam pattern and the topics that repeat most.

How can I prepare for French faster?

Start with the highest-frequency topics, learn the exam pattern so you know how each section is marked, and practise with past papers. A subject-aware study tutor can quiz you on exactly these topics.

A Gyani AI tutor trained on the French syllabus and past papers can quiz you on the most-asked topics and show you exactly what to revise.