Cheat sheet
TEF Canada Cheat Sheet
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