Detailed Contest Eligibility Policies
Levels 01-5
Eligibility Rules
Registration & Placement - General Placement principles
There are always exceptions and borderline cases which the teacher and contest administrator must decide on the basis of good judgment, fairness, and consistency. The level at which the student is registered is irrevocable. Therefore, in case of doubt, be sure to contact the National Chairman for Eligibility before registering the student.
Students take Concours at the level of high school French course (or equivalent) they are completing at the date of Concours, that is, at level
- MS1 (level 01)
- MS2 (level 1)
- Level 1
- Level 2
- Level 3
- Level 4 or
- Level 5.
Ø Students in grades 1 through 6 take Concours-FLES except as indicated below:
ü Sixth-grade students beginning a two-year course sequence equivalent to high school level 1 will take Concours level MS1 (level 01). In 7th grade they will take MS2 (level 1) and in 8th grade they will go to Concours level 2.
ü Sixth-grade students in a three-year course sequence equivalent to high school French 1 will take FLES; in 7th grade they will take MS1 (level 01) and in 8th grade they will take MS2 (level 1).
Ø Seventh graders taking the first half of high school French 1 take MS 1 (level 01)
Ø Eighth graders who are completing the second half of high school French 1 take MS2 (level 1).
Ø Eighth graders who are taking the entire French 1 course in eighth grade will take level 1
Ø Level 5 is for high school students taking French above level 4.
Within each level, divisions, may be assigned: principally A, B and C: B is for students in levels 01 – 2 who have a greater previous instruction in French than that of the regular student; C for all levels of students who have a high level of contact with French. Divisions D and E are reserved for students between two levels or not taking French at the time of Concours. Division AP is for students taking Advanced Placement French.
Division Categories:
- Division A is for the student who has not lived with French-speaking parents, who has not attended a French school and who has not lived in a French-speaking community. Division A is the default division when no other division is designated.
- Division B (levels MS1/level 01, MS2/level 1 and level 2 only) for:
A. students who, after their sixth birthday, attended a school where French was the language of instruction for no more than four semesters (two years); or, students who, after their sixth birthday, have lived in a French-speaking community for less than three years.
B. Students with one French-speaking parent.
C. Students taking, in addition to their regular French course, one course or more conducted predominantly in French.
D. Students who have spent two or more successive summers in a French-speaking area.
E. Students entering Concours at level 1, who, within the previous two years, (1) have had one year or more of FLES or any equivalent French program, or, (2) one semester or more of instruction in French above the sixth-grade level.
3. Division C is for students whose background is more extensive such as:
- Native French-speaking students.
- Foreign exchange students from schools where French is the principal language of instruction.
- Students who, within the last two years, have studied for two years/four semesters, or more, at a school where French is the principal language of instruction
- Students who, within the last two years, have lived in a French-speaking community for three or more years.
- Students who are children of French instructors.
- Students who regularly use French at home.
4. Divisions D & E
A. Division D is for the student who begins a level of French (01 – 4) in the fall semester but, at Contest time, he/she is enrolled at the next level which he/she will not complete at the end of the spring term. This student will register at their fall French level, division D.
B. Division E is for the student who begins French at a given level (01-5) at the beginning of the fall semester and completes that level in December or January. But, at Concours time, they are not enrolled in French. This student will register at their fall French level, division E.
However, if the student meets criteria for Division C, the student must be enrolled in Division C.
5. Division AP. This is for all students who are taking their French course for AP credit.
A. Any high school student up to and including fourth-year French taking AP French will take Concours at level 4, Division AP.
B. Any high school student beyond fourth-year French taking AP French will take Concours at level 5, Division AP.
However, if the student meets criteria for Division C, the student must be enrolled in Division C.
Level Repetition
No student shall take the same level of Concours more than once.
Exceptions:
- A high school obliges all entering ninth graders to take French 1: the student, who has already taken Concours at level 1, will have the choice of:
- taking Contest level 2;
- abstaining for a year; or
- taking level 1 Hors Concours (results unranked and ineligible for National awards).
2. Level 5 and FLES students [except level MS1 (level 01) or MS2 (level 1]) may take the same level more than once.
3. Students will be permitted to take the Concours at the same level two years in a row provided they submit evidence to the Contest Administrator, through their teacher, that they are repeating the same French course because they did not pass it previously.
For French programs on special calendars, or scheduling, or students in intensive programs that do not correspond to regular semester programs: check
(1) to see if the Concours exam content by level helps (both versions linked at top of this page)
(2) ) the descriptions of Divisions AP, D or E. If the student does not match these categories, contact the National Chairman of Eligibility.
Teachers and Contest Administrators will keep registration records to prevent repeat registrations and to simplify record keeping from year to year.
If students are found to be enrolled in the wrong level and/or division, for whatever reason, they will be disqualified from national ranking.