WritingTCF Canada7 min read
TCF Canada Writing Task 3: Structure, Word Counts and Examples
How to write TCF Canada task 3: summarise two documents in 40–60 words, argue your view in 80–120. Template, connectors, a corrected model and a word counter.
TCF Canada · Expression écrite
TCF Canada writing practice
Write the three exam tasks under real conditions and get an instant score out of 20, with feedback on task completion, coherence, vocabulary and grammar.
- tasks
- 3
- total
- 60 min
- score
- 0–20
The three tasks
What you’ll write
The prompts below are our own practice examples in the official format, not official test items.
- Tâche 1 · 60–120 words
A message
Write to a friend, neighbour or colleague to describe, invite, explain or ask. Stay friendly and cover every point.
Vous venez d’emménager. Décrivez votre quartier à un ami et invitez-le.
- Tâche 2 · 120–150 words
An article, blog post or letter
Tell a story or share an experience, then give your impressions. Use past tenses accurately.
Racontez un événement sportif auquel vous avez participé.
- Tâche 3 · 120–180 words
Compare two documents
Summarize two opposing views, then give and justify your own opinion. A split of about 40–60 words for the views and 80–120 for your opinion works well (a suggestion, not an official rule).
Thème : le télétravail. Document 1 : pour. Document 2 : contre.
What we look for
What a strong answer shows
| Criterion | What it means | Quick win |
|---|---|---|
| Task completion | You answer every part of the prompt, in the right format and length. | Tick off each instruction before you finish. |
| Coherence | Ideas flow logically with clear paragraphs and connectors. | Use d’abord, ensuite, cependant, en conclusion. |
| Vocabulary | Precise, varied words, not the same five verbs. | Replace « être bien » with « présenter des avantages ». |
| Grammar | Accurate tenses, agreement and sentence variety. | Re-read once just for accents and agreements. |
Strategy
Use your 60 minutes well
Do the tasks in order
The official instructions say to start with task 1, then task 2, then task 3. All three share one 60-minute clock.
Plan about 10 · 15 · 25 minutes
France Éducation international sets no time per task. This split is our suggestion, with a few minutes left to re-read.
Stay inside every word range
A task outside its range can be rated “A1 non atteint” (below A1). A word is anything between two spaces: “un bon sujet” is 3 words.
Never copy the documents
In task 3, reformulate. Sentences copied from the prompt or the documents can also lead to “A1 non atteint”.
Learn to type French characters
On computer, practise with an accent bar so é, è, ç and « » don’t slow you down.
Target
Writing score for NCLC 7
You need 10 out of 20 in writing for NCLC 7, and 12 for NCLC 8. See what your score means in NCLC. Taking the other test? Try TEF Canada writing practice, or see all TCF Canada practice.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Sources
Last verified Oct 5, 2026 against canada.ca and France Éducation international, the TCF Canada test owner. How we check facts
Scores & NCLCTCF Canada7 min read
NCLC 7 in TCF Canada: Exact Scores You Need and How to Get There
NCLC 7 on the TCF Canada means 458 listening, 453 reading, 10 writing and 10 speaking. Why it matters for Express Entry, plus a self-check and 8-week plan.
Your next step
Try a timed writing section
In the TCF Canada format, scored, with an estimated NCLC level at the end. No account needed.