TEF Canada exam format
TEF Canada takes about 2 hours 55 minutes, all on the same day: listening (40 questions, 40 min), reading (40 questions, 60 min), writing (Section A 25 min, Section B 35 min) and speaking (Section A 5 min, Section B 10 min). IRCC uses the ancien score, not the /699 score.
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In the TEF / TCF Canada exam
Speaking Section B is 10 minutes of argument. Prepare three clear reasons and reuse them in new words when the examiner objects.
TEF Canada exam format: the full chart as text
The four modules
| Module | Format | Time | Ancien score max | NCLC 7 minimum |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 40 multiple-choice questions | 40 min | 360 | 249 |
| Reading | 40 multiple-choice questions | 60 min | 300 | 207 |
| Writing | Section A + Section B | 25 + 35 min | 450 | 310 |
| Speaking | Section A + Section B | 5 + 10 min | 450 | 310 |
| Total | All four on the same day | ~2h55 |
Each skill converts to NCLC on its own. There is no averaging.
Writing (expression écrite)
- Section A · 25 min · 80+ words: continue a news article from its opening, with the same tone and facts.
- Section B · 35 min · 200+ words: argue a point of view, often as a letter, with reasons and examples.
Speaking (expression orale)
- Section A · 5 min: obtain information. Ask many short, clear, polite questions about a situation.
- Section B · 10 min: persuade the examiner, who pushes back. Answer the objection and return to your main reason.
- ~2h55
- Total timeall on one day
- 80+ / 200+
- Minimum wordswriting A and B
- ~15 min
- Speakingwith an examiner
Module names on your attestation
- compréhension de l'orallistening
- compréhension de l'écritreading
- expression écritewriting
- expression oralespeaking
- Équivalence ancien scorethe score IRCC uses
Ancien score, not /699
Your attestation shows a /699 score and an ancien score per skill. IRCC uses the ancien score: L /360, R /300, W /450, S /450.
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Questions
About 2 hours 55 minutes, and all four modules are taken on the same day. Listening is 40 min, reading 60 min, writing 60 min and speaking about 15 min.
Section A asks you to continue a news article in at least 80 words in 25 minutes. Section B asks you to argue a point of view, often as a letter, in at least 200 words in 35 minutes.
On the ancien score that IRCC uses, listening is out of 360, reading out of 300, and writing and speaking out of 450 each. Your attestation also shows a /699 score, which IRCC does not use.
