TCF Canada exam format
TCF Canada has four sections: listening (39 questions, 35 min), reading (39 questions, 60 min), writing (3 tasks, 60 min) and speaking (3 tasks, about 12 min). Listening and reading are scored out of 699, writing and speaking out of 20. For NCLC 7 you need 458, 453, 10 and 10.
Free to print and share with credit to French Exam Alert (licence). 2400×3540px.
In the TEF / TCF Canada exam
In speaking Task 2 you ask the questions. In Task 3, take a side, give reasons and an example, and keep talking.
TCF Canada exam format: the full chart as text
The four sections
| Section | What you do | Time | Scored out of | NCLC 7 minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 39 multiple-choice questions | 35 min | 699 | 458 |
| Reading | 39 multiple-choice questions | 60 min | 699 | 453 |
| Writing | 3 writing tasks | 60 min | 20 | 10 |
| Speaking | 3 tasks with an examiner | ~12 min | 20 | 10 |
| Total | Before check-in and breaks | ~2h50 |
Your centre decides how the day is split and when speaking happens. Check your convocation.
Writing: 3 tasks, 60 minutes
| Task | What you write | Words |
|---|---|---|
| Task 1 | Short message | 60–120 |
| Task 2 | Article or blog | 120–150 |
| Task 3 | Compare 2 views | 120–180 |
One shared clock: you choose the time split. Task 3 compares two documents, then gives your opinion.
Speaking: 3 tasks, about 12 minutes
| Task | What you do | Time | Prep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Task 1 | Guided interview | 2 min | None |
| Task 2 | Role-play: you ask | 5 min 30 | 2 min, incl. |
| Task 3 | Point of view | 4 min 30 | None |
Only Task 2 has preparation time, inside its 5 min 30.
- 10/20
- NCLC 7writing and speaking
- 9/20
- NCLC 6one point short
Section names on your results
- compréhension oralelistening
- compréhension écritereading
- expression écritewriting
- expression oralespeaking
Go deeper
Preparing for TEF or TCF Canada?
Seats at many centres sell out within minutes. Pick your cities and we alert you by email or WhatsApp the moment one opens.
Questions
About 2 hours 50 minutes of testing: listening 35 min, reading 60 min, writing 60 min and speaking about 12 min. Check-in and breaks add extra time.
Task 1 is a short message of 60–120 words, Task 2 an article or blog-style account of 120–150 words, and Task 3 compares two documents and gives your opinion in 120–180 words.
Only Task 2, the role-play: 2 minutes of preparation inside its 5 min 30. Task 1 (2 min) and Task 3 (4 min 30) have none.
