IGCSE French - First Language (0501) — real past-paper questions, marked by AI
Reading closely and writing fluently in French is the whole demand of IGCSE French – First Language (0501). Component 1 sets reading comprehension, testing explicit meaning and a writer's effects, while Component 2 carries the directed and extended writing — discursive, descriptive, narrative, articles and speeches — so the command words shift from identify and explain to argue and describe within a single paper.
This hub holds 73 real 0501 questions from 6 papers set between 2023 and 2025. Discursive/argumentative writing and descriptive/narrative writing each lead the topic table with 2 questions, and directed writing for an article appears alongside reading comprehension on explicit meaning and on writers' effects. Write your response in French and the AI examiner marks it instantly against the real Cambridge mark scheme, giving reading answers point-by-point feedback and writing tasks a clear read on task fulfilment, accuracy and range.
It is free to use, with no signup, so you can sweep a single writing genre or sit a full paper against the clock.
Past papers by year
2025
| Paper | Session | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 01 | May–June 2025 | 3 |
| Paper 02 | May–June 2025 | 4 |
2024
| Paper | Session | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 01 | May–June 2024 | 3 |
| Paper 02 | May–June 2024 | 4 |
2023
| Paper | Session | Questions |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 01 | May–June 2023 | 3 |
| Paper 02 | May–June 2023 | 4 |
Practise IGCSE French - First Language by topic
- Writing (7 questions)
Frequently asked questions
Which 0501 papers and years are covered?
Every May–June session from 2023 to 2025 across both components — 6 papers and 73 questions in total.
How does the AI marking work for French writing tasks?
You write your response in French and an AI examiner checks it against the official Cambridge mark scheme, giving feedback on task fulfilment, accuracy and range for writing, and point-by-point precision for reading comprehension.
What do the two components cover in 0501?
Component 1 is reading comprehension, covering explicit meaning and a writer's effects, while Component 2 is directed and extended writing, including discursive, descriptive, narrative and article-based tasks.
Is it really free?
Yes — every question, mark scheme and AI marking run is free, with no signup and no card details.
How should I revise French with past papers?
Practise reading comprehension and writing separately by genre — discursive, descriptive, narrative — then use the instant feedback to tighten accuracy before sitting a full timed paper.
Are these official Cambridge papers?
The questions are transcribed from real Cambridge papers and marked against the real mark schemes, which remain © Cambridge International. Cambridge Papers is an independent study tool, not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge.