French

This is a complete, free study companion for French — built around what the exam actually asks. The topics examiners repeat most are Compréhension écrite: réponses en français sur un passage, Conjugaison contextuelle: présent, passé composé et imparfait, and Verbes: conjugaison correcte des formes régulières et irrégulières. The syllabus runs to 30 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
Programme: CL10
Exam: Indian Certificate of Secondary Education
Conducted by: Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)

Most frequently examined topics

#	Topic	Times asked
1	Compréhension écrite: réponses en français sur un passage	6
2	Conjugaison contextuelle: présent, passé composé et imparfait	6
3	Verbes: conjugaison correcte des formes régulières et irrégulières	6
4	Pronoms compléments: COD, COI, ordre des pronoms	6
5	Articles définis, indéfinis, partitifs et contractés	6
6	Synonymes, antonymes et vocabulaire dans le texte	5
7	Vrai/Faux avec justification dans la compréhension	5
8	Pronoms relatifs qui, que, où, dont	5
9	Pronoms y et en	5
10	Négation: ne...pas, jamais, rien, personne, plus	5
11	Interrogation: poser la question correspondant à une réponse	5
12	Environnement: pollution, protection, gestes écologiques	5

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 en français
Chapter 2: Rédaction de courriel
Chapter 3: Documents simples de la vie quotidienne
Chapter 4: Questions de compréhension en français
Chapter 5: Articles définis, indéfinis, partitifs et contractés
Chapter 6: Verbes réguliers, irréguliers, pronominaux, transitifs et intransitifs
Chapter 7: Temps verbaux: présent, passé composé, imparfait, plus-que-parfait, futur proche, futur simple, passé récent et présent progressif
Chapter 8: Modes et formes verbales: impératif, conditionnel, discours rapporté, subjonctif de base, voix active/passive, gérondif et participe présent
Chapter 9: Pronoms personnels, interrogatifs, relatifs, démonstratifs, compléments, possessifs, y et en
Chapter 10: Adjectifs, adverbes, négation, interrogation, indicateurs de temps, nominalisation, prépositions, comparatifs, superlatifs, tournures impersonnelles et connecteurs
Chapter 11: Identité personnelle et relations
Chapter 12: Événements importants
Chapter 13: Temps libre et loisirs
Chapter 14: Culture et traditions
Chapter 15: Voyage et transports
Chapter 16: Tourisme et activités
Chapter 17: Logement et directions
Chapter 18: Shopping
Chapter 19: Cuisine
Chapter 20: Vie à la maison
Chapter 21: Forme physique et bien-être
Chapter 22: Médias et technologies
Chapter 23: Études et projets d’avenir
Chapter 24: Maison et localité
Chapter 25: Environnement
Chapter 26: Divertissement
Chapter 27: Services
Chapter 28: Compréhension orale
Chapter 29: Expression orale
Chapter 30: Écriture créative

Official textbook

French — official textbook / study material — Free download from the official source.

How to study French and score well

Start with the highest-frequency topics — In French, Compréhension écrite: réponses en français sur un passage, Conjugaison contextuelle: présent, passé composé et imparfait, Verbes: conjugaison correcte des formes régulières et irrégulières, and Pronoms compléments: COD, COI, ordre des pronoms 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 30 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 Compréhension écrite: réponses en français sur un passage, Conjugaison contextuelle: présent, passé composé et imparfait, Verbes: conjugaison correcte des formes régulières et irrégulières. 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.