Division Categories:

Students may be entered at Division A,B, C, D, or E as determined by the Contest Administrator.

A. Divisions A and B for levels 01, 1, and 2. These two divisions at the first three levels permit fairer ranking of students of differing French backgrounds.

1. Division A is for the American-born 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.

2. Division B is for:
a. (1) students who, after their sixth birthday, attended a school where French was the language of instruction for a total of more than one semester but fewer than four semesters (two years); or, (2) students who, after their sixth birthday, have lived in a French-speaking community for a total of more than one year but fewer than three years. (Three years or more=Division C.)
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. Ninth grade students taking Level 1 high school French, entering the Concours for the first time and who have previously taken one semester or more of instruction in French above the sixth-grade level.

3. Once registered in a division, the student remains in that division through Level 2.

B. Division C. This division is reserved for students who have a more extensive French background than B students. Examples:

*Native French students
*Foreign exchange students.
*Students who, after their sixth birthday, have studied for two years (four semester) or more at a school where French was the principal language of instruction and/or who have lived in a French-speaking community for three or more years.

C. Divisions D & E. Because the availability of Modular, Block, and Flexible scheduling is rapidly emerging in our nations schools, there may be variations in exposure to French. In each case, we ask the Contest Administrator to make a decision based, generally, on the guideline below. En principe, Division D refers to students still enrolled in French; E is designed for students “in-between” French courses. For clarification, contact the Contest Administrator.