How many words do I need in TEF Canada writing?

At least 80 words in Section A and at least 200 in Section B. There is no official maximum, but writing far more adds risk of mistakes without adding content.

How long is each TEF writing section?

Section A has 25 minutes and Section B has 35 minutes, 60 minutes in total. Each section is timed separately.

Is TEF writing typed or handwritten?

Typed on computer, with a virtual keyboard for French accents. Paper is possible only as an accommodation for candidates who can’t use a computer.

Does Section B have to be a letter?

The prompt asks you to write to the newspaper, but the test owner says the letter form is not compulsory. What is assessed is your argument: a clear view and at least three developed arguments.

Is the AI score accurate?

It’s an estimate based on the task requirements, useful for tracking progress. It’s not an official result.

TEF Canada · Expression écrite

TEF Canada writing practice

Write Section A and Section B under real timers, with a live word count and a French accent bar. Get AI feedback and an estimated NCLC level.

Write a TEF task, get feedback

sections, timed separately: 2
minutes: 25 + 35
minimum words: 80 / 200

The two sections

What you’ll write

The prompts below are our own practice examples in the official format, not official test items.

Section A · 25 min · 80+ words
Finish a news story (<fr>fait divers</fr>)
You get the start of a short newspaper story. Continue it in several paragraphs. Add new facts: what happened next, witnesses, causes, the outcome. Don’t copy or summarise the beginning.
« Mardi matin, les clients d’une boulangerie de Sherbrooke ont eu une drôle de surprise : en entrant, ils ont trouvé un jeune chevreuil endormi derrière le comptoir… » Terminez cet article (80 mots minimum, plusieurs paragraphes).
Section B · 35 min · 200+ words
Give and defend your opinion
React to a statement from a newspaper. Write to the paper, take a clear position and develop at least three arguments. The letter format itself is optional: what counts is the argument.
« Les villes devraient rendre les transports en commun gratuits pour tous. » Écrivez une lettre au journal pour dire ce que vous en pensez (200 mots minimum). Développez au moins 3 arguments.

Section A plan

A news story in four moves

Keep the newspaper voice
Third person, past tenses: passé composé for events, imparfait for background. No “I”.
Paragraph 1: what happened next
Continue the action right where the prompt stops.
Paragraph 2: people and reactions
Add a witness, the police, the owner. A short quote makes it sound like a real article.
Paragraph 3: the outcome
Explain how it ended and what changes now. Aim for 120 to 150 words: comfortably above the minimum, with time to re-read.

Section B plan

An argued letter that hits every requirement

Open formally
Madame, Monsieur, then restate the issue in your own words and give your position in one sentence.
Three arguments, three paragraphs
One idea per paragraph, each with a concrete example. Connect them with d’abord, ensuite, enfin.
Answer the other side
A short concession shows range: certes…, mais…, il est vrai que…, toutefois….
Conclude and sign off
Sum up your view and close politely. Aim for 230 to 280 words so you are safely over 200.

Common mistakes

What costs points in TEF writing

Summarising the prompt in Section A
The test owner advises bringing new information. Retelling the start adds words but no content.
Two arguments, not three
Section B asks for at least three. Number them in your plan before you write.
Planning to borrow time
Each section has its own time limit. Minutes left in Section A don’t carry over to Section B.
Mixing registers
A letter to a newspaper uses vous and neutral vocabulary. Avoid texting style and slang.

Target

Writing score for NCLC 7

For Express Entry, NCLC 7 in writing is an ancien score of 310 out of 450. NCLC 9 starts at 371. Writing is double-marked by two independent markers. Taking the other test? See TCF Canada writing practice, or all TEF Canada practice.

Convert your TEF score to NCLC

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Sources

Last verified Oct 5, 2026 against canada.ca and Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France), the TEF Canada test owner. How we check facts

Keep going

WritingTEF Canada10 min read
TEF Canada Writing: Section A & B Examples
TEF Canada expression écrite: Section A (80+ words, 25 min) and Section B (200+ words, 35 min), with templates and annotated models by NCLC level.
Oct 5, 2026
Scores & NCLCTEF Canada7 min read
NCLC 7 in TEF Canada: Exact Scores You Need
NCLC 7 on TEF Canada for Express Entry: listening 249, reading 207, writing 310, speaking 310 (old-scale). Why it matters and an 8-week plan.
Oct 5, 2026

Your next step

Try a timed writing section

In the TEF Canada format, scored, with an estimated NCLC level at the end. No account needed.

Start the writing section

TEF Canada writing practice

What you’ll write

Finish a news story (<fr>fait divers</fr>)

Give and defend your opinion

A news story in four moves

Keep the newspaper voice

Paragraph 1: what happened next

Paragraph 2: people and reactions

Paragraph 3: the outcome

An argued letter that hits every requirement

Open formally

Three arguments, three paragraphs

Answer the other side

Conclude and sign off

What costs points in TEF writing

Summarising the prompt in Section A

Two arguments, not three

Planning to borrow time

Mixing registers