Cheat sheet

TEF Canada Cheat Sheet

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Reading Comprehension

  • Not published of exam
  • 40 Questions 60 Minutes MCQ Navigation Evidence

Listening Comprehension

  • Not published of exam
  • 40 Questions 40 Minutes MCQ One Playback Pacing

Written Expression

  • Not published of exam
  • Two Sections 80 Words 200 Words Point of View

Oral Expression

  • Not published of exam
  • Two Sections Information Persuasion Examiner

Quick Facts

  • Test TEF Canada
  • Recognized by IRCC since 2002
  • Immigration Four same-day tests
  • Citizenship Listening plus speaking
  • Reading 40 questions, 60 minutes
  • Listening 40 questions, 40 minutes
  • Writing Two sections, 60 minutes
  • Speaking Two sections, 15 minutes
  • Validity Two years

Immigration Four CO

  • Read, listen, write, speak: all four.
  • Reading Listening Writing Speaking

Immigration vs Citizenship CO

Immigration

  • Four required tests
  • All same day
  • Reading through speaking

Citizenship

  • Two required tests
  • Listening and speaking
  • NCLC requirement applies
  • Choose the correct application route.

Immigration Test Format CO

  • Reading 40 MCQ, 60 minutes
  • Listening 40 MCQ, 40 minutes
  • Writing Two sections, 60 minutes
  • Speaking Two sections, 15 minutes
  • Immigration session All four same day
  • Citizenship Listening and speaking only
  • Lexique structure Not TEF Canada

TEF Canada vs Études CO

TEF Canada

  • Canadian immigration purpose
  • Four specified tests
  • No grammar standalone

TEF Études

  • Study admission purpose
  • Different required set
  • Lexique structure included
  • Purpose selects the TEF version.

Reading Rules CO

  • Format Four-option MCQ
  • Correct response One point
  • Wrong response Zero points
  • Blank response Zero points
  • Navigation Move within questionnaire
  • Objective Understand written documents
  • Time budget Ninety seconds each

Reading vs Listening CO

Reading

  • 60 minutes
  • Free questionnaire navigation
  • Written documents

Listening

  • 40 minutes
  • No backward return
  • Audio once only
  • Listening pacing is irreversible.

Comprehension Response Path CO

  • Question appears → Read prompt first
  • Audio begins → Listen for purpose
  • Detail is named → Match exact evidence
  • Main idea asked → Choose overall message
  • Choice conflicts → Eliminate contradiction
  • Listening answer chosen → Commit and continue
  • Reading answer uncertain → Flag and revisit
  • Time remains → Answer every reading item

Listening Rules CO

  • Format Four-option MCQ
  • Correct response One point
  • Wrong response Zero points
  • Audio Played one time
  • Navigation No backward return
  • Read ahead Use pre-audio seconds
  • Objective Understand spoken documents

Results and Rules CO

  • NCLC Canadian language benchmark
  • CEFR European proficiency framework
  • Skill result Reported separately
  • Calibrated score Accounts for difficulty
  • No single pass Programme sets threshold
  • Oral materials No notes allowed
  • Computer materials No exit during tests

Writing B EX

  • Position, reasons, examples, conclusion.
  • Position Reasons Examples Conclusion

Writing A vs B EX

Section A

  • Continue an article
  • 25 minutes
  • 80-word minimum

Section B

  • Justify viewpoint
  • 35 minutes
  • 200-word minimum
  • Meet both distinct minimums.

Production Response Path EX

  • Task starts → Identify purpose
  • Reader is clear → Set suitable register
  • Writing section A → Continue the article
  • Writing section B → State and justify view
  • Speaking section A → Ask useful questions
  • Speaking section B → Persuade with reasons
  • Arguments need force → Add examples
  • Time ends soon → Close clearly

Writing Format EX

  • Section A Continue an article
  • Section A time 25 minutes
  • Section A minimum 80 words
  • Section B Justify viewpoint
  • Section B time 35 minutes
  • Section B minimum 200 words
  • Total time 60 minutes

Writing Control EX

  • Register Match purpose and reader
  • Structure Opening, development, close
  • Position State viewpoint clearly
  • Support Give reasons and examples
  • Cohesion Link ideas logically
  • Lexicon Choose precise vocabulary
  • Proofread Check agreement and accents

Speaking B EX

  • Claim, reason, example, response, close.
  • Claim Reason Example Response Close

Speaking A vs B EX

Section A

  • Obtain information
  • Five minutes
  • Ask targeted questions

Section B

  • Argue to convince
  • Ten minutes
  • Give persuasive reasons
  • Question first, persuade second.

Speaking Format EX

  • Format Examiner interaction
  • Section A Obtain information
  • Section A time Five minutes
  • Section B Argue to convince
  • Section B time Ten minutes
  • Total time 15 minutes
  • Objective Communicate with interlocutor

Speaking Control EX

  • Opening State purpose promptly
  • Questions Seek missing details
  • Clarification Ask when uncertain
  • Argument Claim with reasons
  • Example Make reason concrete
  • Concession Recognize opposing point
  • Closing Restate requested action

Common Traps

Wrong TEF version

  • Canada serves IRCC routes ≠ Études serves academic admission

Grammar test assumption

  • TEF has five modules ≠ Canada has no Lexique test

Listening navigation

  • Audio plays one time ≠ Return navigation is unavailable

Writing minimums

  • Section A needs 80 ≠ Section B needs 200

Score misconception

  • No universal pass mark ≠ Programme selects NCLC threshold

Last Minute

  • 1. Immigration requires all four tests
  • 2. Take immigration tests same day
  • 3. Reading: 40 questions, 60 minutes
  • 4. Listening: 40 questions, 40 minutes
  • 5. Listening audio plays once
  • 6. Reading permits questionnaire navigation
  • 7. Writing A: 80 words minimum
  • 8. Writing B: 200 words minimum
  • 9. Speaking A: obtain information
  • 10. Speaking B: argue to convince
  • 11. No standalone grammar test
  • 12. Programme determines required NCLC

TEF Canada — French Test for Canadian Immigration (IRCC)

  • Practice Questions 118 questions Study Guide 32 topics Cheat Sheet 56 facts Flashcards 50 cards