TEF Canada writing format: two tasks, 60 minutes

FrenchExaminer · Published 2026-11-01 · 5 min read · AI-drafted, reviewed by a second AI pass, not yet reviewed by a human

TEF Canada written expression has two tasks to complete in 60 minutes and is scored on a 0-450 scale. A score of 310 corresponds to NCLC 7 in writing, the level the French-language category of Express Entry asks for in every ability. TCF Canada writing, by contrast, has three tasks.

How many tasks and minutes does TEF Canada writing have?

According to the TEF Canada information used for this guide, the written expression test has 2 tasks and lasts 60 minutes. It is one of four tests: listening (40 questions, 40 minutes), reading (40 questions, 60 minutes), written expression, and oral expression (2 tasks, 15 minutes).

The written test is scored on a 0-450 scale, and results are valid for two years. Check the official TEF Canada pages and your exam centre for the exact wording of the instructions and any rules on materials, because those details are not covered here.

If you are still deciding between the two exams, our guide on how to choose between TCF Canada and TEF Canada compares them side by side. For a page dedicated to the exam as a whole, see TEF Canada.

How is writing scored on the 0-450 scale?

Written expression is reported as a single score between 0 and 450. That score is then converted to a Canadian Language Benchmark level, called NCLC in French, using the equivalence table published by IRCC.

The same 0-450 scale applies to oral expression, while listening is scored out of 360 and reading out of 300. For writing, the practical point is that you are not aiming for a percentage: you are aiming for the score band that matches the NCLC level your application needs.

The table below shows the writing bands according to the IRCC equivalence. Use it to pick a target band, not to predict a result.

NCLC level	TEF Canada writing score (0-450)
NCLC 4	181-225
NCLC 5	226-270
NCLC 6	271-309
NCLC 7	310-348
NCLC 8	349-370
NCLC 9	371-392
NCLC 10	393-450

To see how a practice text is judged criterion by criterion, read how we score. Estimates from practice are never official results.

What score gives NCLC 7 in writing?

According to the IRCC equivalence table, a TEF Canada written expression score of 310 to 348 corresponds to NCLC 7. The threshold you need to reach is therefore 310.

This matters because the French-language proficiency category of Express Entry requires NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities. A strong writing score does not compensate for a weaker ability elsewhere: writing is one of four numbers that must each reach the level.

NCLC 7 also matters for CRS points. The IRCC grid gives additional points for French when you reach NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities. Our NCLC calculator converts your four scores to NCLC levels, and the page on CRS points for French explains how the levels feed into your profile. Draw dates, sizes and cut-offs change, so read them on the official IRCC rounds page rather than relying on a figure quoted elsewhere.

How does it differ from TCF Canada writing?

Both exams last 60 minutes for written expression, but the structure differs. TEF Canada has 2 tasks scored on a 0-450 scale. TCF Canada has 3 tasks scored 0-20, which is then converted to NCLC.

TCF Canada tasks and word ranges, as published by France Éducation international: task 1 is a message to a friend or relative (60-120 words); task 2 is an article, letter or note reporting an experience (120-150 words); task 3 asks you to compare two documents and defend an opinion (120-180 words).

The table below sets the two writing tests side by side, including the score that corresponds to NCLC 7 in each.

	TEF Canada	TCF Canada
Writing tasks	2	3
Writing duration	60 minutes	60 minutes
Writing scale	0-450	0-20
NCLC 7 in writing	310-348	10-11

If you prepare for TCF Canada instead, start from the TCF Canada page or try the sample on TCF Canada writing task 1.

How should I divide my time between the tasks?

The sources give the total (60 minutes) and the number of tasks (2) but do not publish an official time split, so any division is a personal plan, not a rule. Read each task's instructions on exam day and adjust.

A sensible way to build a plan is to practise with a fixed budget and note where you lose time. Here is a method to test in your own practice sessions:

Give each task a fixed block of time and write it down before you start, leaving a few minutes at the end for rereading.
Spend the first minutes of each block on a short plan: purpose, two or three points, a closing line.
Write in complete, simple sentences you control rather than ambitious ones you may get wrong.
Reread for agreement, verb endings and accents, which are quick, high-value fixes.
Stop on time even if a text feels unfinished, so the second task gets its full block.

After two or three timed sessions, compare how long each task really took and move the blocks accordingly. For a longer rhythm of study, see our weekly practice routine.

How can I practise with original prompts?

Practise with prompts that are original and generic in form, never with questions copied from official papers. Two kinds of task are worth rehearsing: a short, informal message to someone you know, and a more argued text where you give and justify an opinion.

Here are two original prompts to try under the 60-minute limit (write both in sequence):

Prompt A: Un ami veut s'installer dans votre ville. Écrivez-lui un message pour lui expliquer les avantages et les inconvénients de ce choix.
Prompt B: Certains pensent que le télétravail améliore la vie des employés. Rédigez un texte pour donner et justifier votre opinion.

Then check your texts: is the purpose clear, is each idea supported, are linking words varied, are the verb forms correct? You can get correction by criterion on the writing correction page, or run the free instant level test to get a quick estimate of where you stand. For more material, use the free TEF Canada practice test.

Questions candidates ask

How many tasks are there in TEF Canada writing?

TEF Canada written expression has two tasks, completed within a single 60-minute session. This differs from TCF Canada, whose written expression has three tasks in the same duration. Read each task's instructions carefully on exam day, as they are not reproduced here.

What is a good TEF Canada writing score for Express Entry?

Express Entry's French-language category requires NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities. For TEF Canada writing, the IRCC equivalence table places NCLC 7 at 310 to 348 out of 450. Reaching 310 is therefore the minimum target for that requirement.

How long is the TEF Canada speaking test?

TEF Canada oral expression has two tasks and lasts 15 minutes, scored on a 0-450 scale like writing. This is separate from the written test, which runs for 60 minutes. Check official TEF Canada information for the exact format of each oral task.

What is the TCF Canada writing format by task?

TCF Canada written expression has three tasks in 60 minutes. Task 1 is a message to a friend or relative (60-120 words), task 2 reports an experience (120-150 words), and task 3 compares two documents and defends an opinion (120-180 words), as published by France Éducation international.

What is the TCF Canada listening format and duration?

TCF Canada listening comprehension has 39 questions and lasts 35 minutes, according to France Éducation international. TEF Canada listening differs: it has 40 questions in 40 minutes and is scored out of 360. Always confirm the current format on the official pages before your exam.

How is TEF Canada writing converted to NCLC levels?

IRCC publishes an equivalence table that maps the 0-450 writing score to NCLC levels: 181-225 is NCLC 4, 271-309 is NCLC 6, 310-348 is NCLC 7, and 393-450 is NCLC 10. You can enter your scores in our NCLC calculator to see the level.

How long are TEF Canada results valid for?

TEF Canada results are valid for two years, as are TCF Canada results. Plan your exam date so that your scores remain valid when you submit your application, and check the current validity rules on the official IRCC and test provider pages.