A system that keeps pace
- Note in French or in symbols, never in English.
- Keywords only — nouns, numbers, names.
- Arrows for consequence, plus and minus for pro and contra.
- A line per speaker so positions stay separate.
The signals worth catching
| When you hear | What follows |
|---|---|
| en fait | A correction of what was just said |
| c'est-à-dire | A restatement — a second chance at a missed point |
| en revanche / par contre | A contrast, where questions cluster |
| pour conclure / en résumé | The summary, often the answer |
| d'abord … ensuite … enfin | A list, so expect that many points |
*C'est-à-dire* is the one to listen for hardest: French speakers use it constantly, and it restates in simpler words exactly what you just failed to catch.
Note-taking — FAQs
2 questions
French or symbols. Translating costs the time the next sentence needs.
Keywords. A transcript of the opening and nothing about the conclusion is the usual failure.
More compréhension de l'oral question types
Sources
Written from the test board's own published material and checked on 1 October 2026.