Contents
The TEF Canada format
| Paper | Content | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 40 multiple-choice questions | 40 min |
| Reading | 40 multiple-choice questions | 60 min |
| Writing | Section A: continue a news article (80 words minimum). Section B: defend an opinion (200 words minimum). | 60 min |
| Speaking | Section A: obtain information in an exchange. Section B: persuade the other person. | 15 min |
Compared with the TCF Canada, the TEF has fewer tasks, but longer ones. We compared the two in detail in TCF or TEF Canada: which is easier?.
40
questions per comprehension paper
2
sections in writing and speaking
2 years
validity for IRCC
The official TEF Canada to CLB conversion table
| CLB | Reading | Listening | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 and above | 263–300 | 316–360 | 393–450 | 393–450 |
| 9 | 248–262 | 298–315 | 371–392 | 371–392 |
| 8 | 233–247 | 280–297 | 349–370 | 349–370 |
| 7 | 207–232 | 249–279 | 310–348 | 310–348 |
| 6 | 181–206 | 217–248 | 271–309 | 271–309 |
| 5 | 151–180 | 181–216 | 226–270 | 226–270 |
| 4 | 121–150 | 145–180 | 181–225 | 181–225 |
Writing: passing both sections
Section A — continue the article
You read the opening of a news story and write what follows, in a journalist's style. Markers expect a narrative consistent with the opening, in past tenses, with detail and an ending.
A typical opening: "The café that takes smiles as payment"
Trois-Rivières — In this new kind of café, the bill can be settled with something other than money…
An effective continuation: who had the idea and why → how it works in practice → how customers reacted (one quotation) → early results and plans. Around 100 to 130 well-built words beat 80 poor ones.
Section B — defend an opinion
You respond to a statement (for example: "Social media does more harm than good") in a letter or article of at least 200 words, with at least three developed arguments. The argument structure of TCF task 3 works perfectly here, at greater length.
Speaking: first obtain, then persuade
- Section A (≈ 5 min): from a document (an advert, a poster), you phone to obtain information. Prepare a dozen varied, polite questions.
- Section B (≈ 10 min): you must convince a friend that an activity or idea is worthwhile. The examiner pushes back: answer the objection instead of repeating your argument.
- ExaminerFranchement, un abonnement à 60 $ par mois, c’est trop cher pour moi.
- YouJe comprends, le prix compte beaucoup en ce moment. Mais si tu y vas deux fois par semaine, ça revient à sept dollars la séance — moins qu’un café et un dessert.
- ExaminerOui, mais je n’aurai jamais le temps d’y aller deux fois par semaine.
- YouC’est justement pour ça que je te propose le créneau du samedi matin : on y va ensemble, et tu gardes ta semaine libre.
“Persuading is not repeating yourself more loudly. It is answering the objection.”
Price, sessions, validity: the practical facts
- Price: set by each approved centre; in Canada it sits in a range comparable to the TCF Canada. Check the centre's website.
- Sitting: in an approved centre; comprehension papers are usually taken on a computer.
- Validity: 2 years for IRCC, at profile creation and at application.
- TEF Canada or TEFAQ? The TEFAQ is for Québec (MIFI) and lets you take only some papers. For Express Entry, only the TEF Canada is accepted.
Practise in the TEF Canada format
Series in TEF format (40 questions, two production sections), with a CLB estimate from the IRCC table.
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Frequently asked questions
What TEF Canada score do I need for CLB 7?
Using the "equivalent former score" column that IRCC requires: 249 in listening, 207 in reading, 310 in speaking and 310 in writing.
How long is the TEF Canada?
Listening 40 min, reading 60 min, writing 60 min and speaking 15 min — a little under three hours of testing.
Is the TEF Canada accepted in Québec?
Yes. MIFI accepts the TEF Canada, as well as the TEFAQ, which is designed specifically for Québec programmes.
Which column of the TEF certificate should I use for Express Entry?
IRCC asks for the "equivalent former score" column, not the "score out of 699" column.
Official sources
About the author
Felix Flaubert
TCF Canada coach — francophone immigration
Guides Felix Academy candidates through francophone immigration: choosing a test, NCLC scores and Express Entry strategy.
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