interro

Interro is a colloquial shortening of the French word interrogation and is commonly used to refer to a short classroom assessment, such as a quiz or a brief test. The term is widely used in French-speaking schools from elementary levels through lycée (high school) and may be delivered orally or in writing. An interro is typically designed to check understanding of a recent lesson and to provide quick feedback, often with limited time to answer.

In contrast with longer examinations such as a contrôle or a devoir surveillé, an interro usually covers a narrower range of material and carries a lighter grade weight. It may be announced in advance or conducted as a surprise, depending on the teacher’s approach and the educational context. Some teachers use interros regularly as part of ongoing assessment, while others reserve them for revision sessions or formative purposes.

The word interro derives from interrogation, itself from Latin interrogatio, and has become a fixed colloquial term in modern French. Related expressions include mini-interro, interro surprise, and interro écrite or interro orale, referring to the format rather than the concept.

See also: devoir surveillé, contrôle, évaluation.