TCF Canada · Expression écrite
TCF Canada Expression Écrite: the complete Tâche 1, 2 & 3 guide
The TCF Canada writing section (expression écrite) is three tasks in 60 minutes, each scored out of 20. This guide breaks down the format, word counts, and a proven structure for every task — plus how your /20 score maps to an NCLC level for Express Entry.
How the writing section works
You complete three separate tasks in 60 minutes. Two examiners trained by France Éducation International grade each text on six official criteria, and your result is a single score from 0 to 20. Staying inside each task's word range matters — falling short or overshooting can pull your score down.
- 3 tasks · 60 minutes total
- Scored 0–20 by two examiners
- Suggested split: 15 / 20 / 25 min
- NCLC 7 ≈ 10–11 / 20 · NCLC 9 ≈ 14–15 / 20
Tâche 1 — Personal message
60–120 words · ~15 min · level A2–B1
A short, functional message to someone you know — an email, a note, an invitation, or a reply. The examiner checks that the message is clear, complete, and in the right register.
- Open with a greeting suited to the reader (tu / vous).
- State your reason for writing in the first sentence.
- Cover every point the prompt asks for.
- Close with a polite sign-off.
Tâche 2 — Article or letter
120–150 words · ~20 min · level B1–B2
A longer text — a blog or forum post, a press-style article, or a formal letter — usually reacting to a situation or short document. You need to describe, explain, and give a clear opinion, organized into paragraphs.
- Start with an engaging title (article) or proper heading (letter).
- Introduce the topic in one or two sentences.
- Develop one or two body paragraphs with concrete examples.
- Finish with a conclusion that lands your point.
Tâche 3 — Argumentative text
120–180 words · ~25 min · level B2–C1
You get two short documents (about 90 words each) that argue opposing views on a social topic. First summarize both viewpoints, then take and defend your own position. This is the highest-level task and the one that most affects a B2+ result.
- Part 1 (40–60 words): summarize both documents' viewpoints neutrally.
- Part 2 (80–120 words): state and defend your own position.
- Support it with at least one argument and one concrete example.
- Link ideas with connectors (d'une part, en revanche, par conséquent).
Timing and method on test day
Read every prompt fully before writing. Spend the first minute or two outlining, keep an eye on the word count, and leave two minutes at the end to reread for agreement, tenses, and spelling. A clean, well-structured text at the right length beats an ambitious one that runs out of time.
What your /20 score means
Your writing score converts to an NCLC level — the scale IRCC uses for Express Entry. Here are the key thresholds:
| NCLC / CLB | Writing /20 |
|---|---|
| NCLC 7 | 10–11 / 20 |
| NCLC 8 | 12–13 / 20 |
| NCLC 9 | 14–15 / 20 |
| NCLC 10+ | 16–20 / 20 |
See the full TCF Canada → NCLC conversion chart
Frequently asked questions
How long is the TCF Canada writing test?
Sixty minutes for all three tasks combined. A common split is 15 minutes for Tâche 1, 20 for Tâche 2, and 25 for Tâche 3.
How is the writing section scored?
Each text is graded by two trained examiners on six official criteria, producing one score from 0 to 20. A third examiner steps in if the two disagree significantly.
What score do I need for NCLC 7?
A writing score of 10 or 11 out of 20 corresponds to NCLC 7, the level most French Express Entry candidates target.
What happens if I write too few or too many words?
Staying inside each task's word range is part of the assessment. Going well under or over can lower your score, so aim comfortably within the limits.
Can I practice the real task format online?
Yes. Écrivance recreates Tâches 1–3 under timed conditions and returns AI feedback with an estimated NCLC level and a C1 rewrite after every session.