What TEF Canada Expression Écrite tests
The productive TEF Canada sections — Expression Écrite and Expression Orale — are the ones IRCC counts for federal Express Entry additional French points. Only candidates who take both productive sections are eligible for the CLB-based CRS boost.
The writing paper is 60 minutes for two tasks. Task A is a short news-article completion (80–100 words); Task B is a longer opinion piece (200 words). Both are marked on a 30-point scale that maps to CLB levels.
Format & the two tasks
| Task | What you do | Word count | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A · Article completion | You are given the opening of a news article and complete it in the same register. | 80–100 words | /30 |
| B · Opinion piece | A prompt sets a debate; you write a letter or forum post arguing a position. | 200 words | /30 |
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How TEF writing scores convert to CLB
| TEF Canada Writing (out of 60) | CLB level | Express Entry additional CRS points |
|---|---|---|
| 52–60 | 10+ | 50 (max) |
| 46–51 | 9 | 50 |
| 41–45 | 8 | 50 |
| 35–40 | 7 | 50 |
| 25–34 | 6 | 25 |
| 17–24 | 5 | 25 |
Templates that reliably hit CLB 7+
For Task A, the article-completion task, the reliable move is to hold the register of the opening. If the opening reads as a news brief with a neutral third-person register, continue in the same register — do not lapse into personal or opinion mode. Add 2–3 factual paragraphs, a short quote or statistic if you can invent one plausibly, and a closing sentence that gestures toward the wider context.
For Task B, the opinion piece, use the same 4-paragraph frame that works at DELF B2: hook + position, first argument with example, second argument + counter-argument, nuanced conclusion. Learn one si + imparfait, conditionnel construction (‘Si les autorités décidaient…, il faudrait…’) and one subjunctive opener (‘Il est essentiel que…’) — both are grid-rewarded at CLB 7+.
Word count discipline is stricter on TEF than DELF. Under 190 words on Task B costs you a CLB level; over 220 wastes time you need to proofread Task A.
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Common mistakes that keep candidates at CLB 6
- Wrong register on Task A. Turning a news article into an opinion piece caps the task at 20/30 no matter the French.
- Under-length on Task B. Under 190 words drops the whole paper by roughly one CLB level.
- No connectors on Task B. Arguments listed without ‘D’abord’, ‘De plus’, ‘Néanmoins’ cap coherence at 3/8.
- Present-tense-only writing. TEF at CLB 7+ expects present + past + conditional + subjunctive across the two tasks.
- Skipping Task A prep. Article completion looks easy but has a specific register bar most self-study routines never train.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is TEF Canada writing scored?
Each task is marked on 30 points; the combined 60-point score maps to CLB 4 through CLB 10+. IRCC uses the CLB level, not the raw score, to award Express Entry additional points.
How much time should I spend on each TEF writing task?
About 20 minutes on Task A (article completion) and 35 minutes on Task B (opinion piece), with 5 minutes to proofread. Task A is shorter but the register discipline takes longer than most candidates expect.
Is TEF Canada writing harder than DELF B2?
Different, not harder. TEF has no source document, so it tests spontaneous production only. Candidates who cleared DELF B2 typically hit CLB 7–8 on TEF writing without much additional prep, provided they train Task A specifically.
How many TEF Canada writing mocks should I take?
At least six full timed mocks over the last 8 weeks — three of each task type. The Task A register is the specific skill most self-study routines miss; without dedicated Task A mocks, most candidates land at CLB 6 no matter how strong Task B is.
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