Frequently Asked Questions

Q: [How does a teacher enter students ]
A: [Contact your chapter's Contest Administrator. A listing appears in our newsletter, Le Grand Concours, and on this web site.]

Q: [What's on the test? How does one prepare students ]
A: [The 2013 Specifications for levels 01-5 and for FLES are available on this web site. Reviewing these specifications and practicing with previous contests will help both teachers and students prepare for the coming event.  Print out and use the Order Form on this site to order review materials. ]

Q: [At what level must a student enter ]
A: [Students take the test for the level at which they are currently receiving school credit (or equivalent). See FLES or 01-5 enrollment guidelines for complete details.]

Q: [What is the difference among Divisions ]
A: [Since students have varying background and experience, we have designated the following Divisions:]

For complete details see the 01-5 enrollment guidelines.

Q: [What are the dates for Contest administration ]
A: [A range of dates is provided to compensate for local school activities and holidays. Chapters are requested, however, when administratively possible, to select a single date for all participants within the Chapter. For 2013 the FLES Contest dates are February 15-28; the Secondary Contest dates are February 24 - March 23. ]

Q: [Where may the contest be held ]
A: [FLES may be administered in the classroom. Levels 01-5 are administered in Area Centers or in the classroom. ]

Q: [What are the fees ]
A: [The following fees represent the National expenses, for basic test and tape development, duplication, and distribution; administrative costs; computer scoring; mailing fees; stationery; publicity; and prizes. Chapters normally add a charge to these fees to support local Contest expenses. ]

Q: [What Prizes are awarded and to whom ]
A: [There are two categories of awards: Chapter and National. Chapters offer prizes to those students who are among the top scorers at the Chapter level for each level and division. National prizes are subsidized out of the fees paid by each entrant. National Prizes include: medals and certificates.  National winners are students who earn the top ten scores.]

Q: [How many students may enter Le Grand Concours ]
A: [The Executive Council of the AATF recommends that teachers enter all of their students. The purpose goes far beyond "winning" or receiving national recognition. It provides a solid class activity; it also provides a national "guide" to help teachers determine how their students perform, item by item, based upon major grammatical concepts, reading comprehension, aural comprehension, and cultural topics. Individual student scores are never published by the National Office]

Q: [Is the Contest available on-line ]
A: [Not at this time.  Since some schools do not have access to sufficient computer facilities to test all of the students who wish to participate, we have kept the paper and pencil format to ensure that everyone who wishes to participate will have the opportunity to participate.]

Q: [Who scores the test ]
A: [We do! All tests will be computer-scored by AATF. Results will be sent in a timely fashion. 

Q: [Any final tips ]
A: [Join AATF! Help us work to encourage the study of French. Enter all of your students in Le Grand Concours. Since all prizes at the National level are partially subsidized out of participants' fees, the greater the number of participants, the greater the number and quality of prizes. Send suggestions for improving our efforts to the appropriate member of the Grand Concours National Committee. If in doubt, send comments to the National Director.]