For 2027 A-Level H2 French 9735, use the official specimen transcript after a listening attempt. The syllabus says each item is heard twice. Give yourself those two listens, record your answers, then use the transcript to find the precise phrase you missed. This preserves the listening challenge while giving you a way to diagnose an error.
SEAB lists the specimen Paper 1 and transcript separately in its school-candidate directory. If you have the corresponding audio through your school, use it with the matching question paper. If all you have is the transcript, use it to study expressions or ask a fluent speaker to read a short extract aloud as a practice exercise.
- Check that the specimen question paper and transcript belong to 9735.
- Use the first listening pass to follow the situation and the second to check details.
- Open the transcript after committing to an answer.
- Practise the same listening skill again with a fresh recording.
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Give the two listens different jobs
The 2027 syllabus describes a listening component of about one hour, with short factual items and longer spoken pieces. A short announcement may ask for a time or place. A longer interview may ask you to follow a speaker’s position and the reason behind it. Read the French instructions so you know what kind of detail to listen for.
On the first pass, establish who is speaking and why. Mark a detail you are uncertain about without getting stuck. On the second pass, listen for a specific cue that resolves the uncertainty. Words such as “finalement”, “pourtant” and “sauf” can signal that the speaker is changing a plan, making a contrast or stating an exception.
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Worked example | The announcement changes a time
In this original practice example, you hear “Le groupe devait partir à neuf heures. Finalement, le groupe partira à neuf heures et demie.” If the question asks for the actual departure time, the answer is 9.30. The first sentence gives the earlier plan. The second gives the updated information.
If you chose 9.00, underline the phrase in the transcript that changed the answer. Listen again for “finalement” and the verb that follows it. Next time, practise with a different announcement about a changed place or date. That lets you see whether you can transfer the skill.
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Turn the transcript into a short error record
Write the answer you first gave, the phrase that supports the correct answer and the reason you missed it. Perhaps you knew the word on paper but did not recognise it in speech. Perhaps you heard both numbers and picked the first. Each reason points to a different practice task.
Read a missed phrase aloud and then listen to it again. A few phrases are enough for one review. On the next attempt, focus on one skill, such as catching the final plan after a change. Keep the transcript closed until you have answered.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the transcript an exam aid?
SEAB provides the transcript with the specimen resources. Use it for review during practice and follow the actual examination instructions.
Where are the official files?
Find French 9735, Paper 1 and its transcript in SEAB’s 2027 A-Level school-candidate syllabus directory. The 2027 H2 French syllabus describes the listening component.