Canada · French testWhat is the TCF expression écrite?
Three writing tasks in 60 minutes, scored from 0 to 20 and then converted to an NCLC level. Approved centres list the tasks and timing but not what each one asks: for that, the University of Victoria and the Université de Sherbrooke point you to France Éducation international’s Manuel du candidat and its sample tasks.
At some centres you type: Alliance Française de Calgary uses QWERTY keyboards, with accents entered through France Éducation international’s platform. At others, such as the University of Victoria, it’s on paper.
TEF Canada section A: carry on a news story
You get the start of an article and 25 minutes to continue it, in at least 80 words. CCI marks how relevant and developed your new information is, how well the text holds together, your sentences and vocabulary, and spelling and punctuation.
CCI’s tips: don’t copy the opening, it wastes time and earns nothing. Don’t summarize or reword it either. Add new details from your imagination; the title sometimes gives you clues.
TEF Canada section B: give and defend your opinion
You get 35 minutes and need at least 200 words saying whether you agree or disagree with a statement, with arguments and examples. CCI says the nickname “la lettre” is misleading: it doesn’t have to be a letter, and letter layout earns no points.
Open with one short sentence, such as “Pour ma part, je pense que…”, then spend your time on developed arguments. CCI says long, general introductions and conclusions don’t earn credit.
How writing is marked
For TEF Canada, two trained markers score each piece on their own, using grids for communication, vocabulary, grammar and organization, and they see only your candidate number. Your writing must be your own: CCI bans memorized texts and penalizes plagiarism.
TCF Canada writing is scored out of 20, and IRCC’s chart turns that mark into an NCLC level.
Practise with real tasks
Write timed answers to the official sample tasks, then compare them with what the markers look for.
Sources: Alliance Française de Toronto · Alliance Française de Calgary · University of Victoria and 8 more. Checked October 2026.
- Alliance Française de Toronto: TCF Canada ↗
- Alliance Française de Calgary: TCF Canada ↗
- University of Victoria: TCF Canada ↗
- Université de Sherbrooke: préparation aux épreuves du TCF ↗
- Le français des affaires: TEF Canada, passation ↗
- Le français des affaires: préparer la section A de l’expression écrite du TEF (June 30, 2020) ↗
- Le français des affaires: préparer la section B de l’expression écrite du TEF (June 23, 2020) ↗
- Le français des affaires: TEF Canada, résultats ↗
- Le français des affaires: conditions d’inscription et de passation ↗
- IRCC: Express Entry language testing and equivalency charts ↗
- IRCC: Citizenship, proof of language ability ↗
Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.