TCF Canada
Exam format, scoring and preparation
The TCF Canada (Test de connaissance du français) is an official French-language test for Canadian immigration and citizenship procedures.
It is developed and managed by France Éducation international.
It assesses four language skills: reading comprehension, listening comprehension, written expression and oral expression.
How is the TCF Canada exam organized?
How is the TCF Canada exam organized?
Reading comprehension
39 questions - 60 minutes
Listening comprehension
39 questions - 35 minutes
Written expression
60 minutes - 3 tasks
Oral expression
12 minutes - 3 tasks
Reading comprehension
39 questions - 60 minutes
Listening comprehension
39 questions - 35 minutes
Written expression
60 minutes - 3 tasks
Oral expression
12 minutes - 3 tasks
How does the scoring work?
Each skill is scored separately. Speaking and writing are scored out of 20. These scores correspond to both a CEFR level (A1–C2) and a Canadian NCLC level.
Each skill is scored separately. Speaking and writing are scored out of 20. These scores correspond to both a CEFR level (A1–C2) and a Canadian NCLC level.
TCF Speaking & Writing /20
4-5
6
7-9
10-11
12-13
14-15
16-20
CEFR
A2
A2
B1
B2
B2
C1
C1-C2
NCLC
4
5
6
7
8
9
10+
How is the oral expression assessed?
How is the oral expression assessed?
The oral expression test consists of three tasks of increasing difficulty. It assesses your ability to interact, ask for information and express and defend a point of view clearly.
The oral expression test consists of three tasks of increasing difficulty. It assesses your ability to interact, ask for information and express and defend a point of view clearly.
Task 1 – Introduction and interview
2 minutes — no preparation
Task 2 – Interaction and obtaining information
3 minutes 30 — 2 minutes preparation
Task 3 – Expressing and defending a point of view
4 minutes 30 — no preparation
Task 1 – Introduction and interview
2 minutes — no preparation
Task 2 – Interaction and obtaining information
3 minutes 30 — 2 minutes preparation
Task 3 – Expressing and defending a point of view
4 minutes 30 — no preparation
How is the written expression assessed?
How is the written expression assessed?
The written expression test consists of three tasks of increasing difficulty. It assesses your ability to communicate information, describe experiences and express and justify a point of view clearly.
The written expression test consists of three tasks of increasing difficulty. It assesses your ability to communicate information, describe experiences and express and justify a point of view clearly.
Task 1 – Writing a short message
60–120 words
Task 2 – Writing an article, letter or message
120–150 words
Task 3 – Comparing viewpoints and expressing your opinion
120–180 words
Summarize the main ideas from two short documents presenting different viewpoints on the same topic, then express and justify your own opinion.
Task 1 – Writing a short message
60–120 words
Task 2 – Writing an article, letter or message
120–150 words
Task 3 – Comparing viewpoints and expressing your opinion
120–180 words
Summarize the main ideas from two short documents presenting different viewpoints on the same topic, then express and justify your own opinion.
CEFR
A1
A2
B1
B2
C1
C2
Oral expression
Simple communication
Simple exchanges
Express opinions
Develop and defend ideas
Develop complex arguments fluently
Express ideas pricesely and efforlessly
Written expression
Simple written communication
Simple everyday texts
Develop connected ideas
Develop and justify a point of view
Develop complex arguments clearly
Write precisely, fluently and with nuance
A2
Oral : Simple exchanges
Written : Simple everyday texts
B1
Oral : Express opinions
Written : Develop connected ideas
B2
Oral : Develop and defend ideas
Written : Develop and justify a point of view
C1
Oral : Develop complex arguments fluently
Written : Develop complex arguments clearly
C2
Oral : Express ideas precisely and effortlessly
Written : Write precisely, fluently and with nuance
What does B2 mean for the TCF Canada?
What does B2 mean for the TCF Canada?
B2 is the target level for many TCF Canada candidates. The main objective is simple: express and develop your ideas clearly. You don't need complicated structures or long sentences, quite the opposite. What matters is being clear, organized and convincing.
B2 is the target level for many TCF Canada candidates. The main objective is simple: express and develop your ideas clearly. You don't need complicated structures or long sentences, quite the opposite. What matters is being clear, organized and convincing.
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A1
Oral : Simple communication
Written : oral communication