TEF compréhension écrite practice test: format, scores, example

A TEF compréhension écrite practice test is best built on the real TEF Canada reading section, called compréhension écrite by the exam body: 40 multiple-choice questions on written French in 1 hour [2][3]. This page covers that one section from the official pages: the format, what the texts are, how it is scored, the reading scores IRCC uses for NCLC 5, 7 and 9, and one worked example. For the whole exam, read the TEF Canada guide. For every level in every skill, use the TEF Canada score chart. The other multiple-choice section has its own page: TEF Canada listening. For what to read between exam papers, see French reading practice.

What is the TEF Canada reading section?

The TEF Canada reading section measures, in the exam body’s words, “your ability to read and understand written documents” [2]. It is one of the 4 sections you sit for an immigration application, with listening, writing and speaking [3]. All 4 must be taken on the same day for the certificate to be recognised by the Canadian authorities [2].

You do not sit it for citizenship. The exam body lists only listening and speaking for a citizenship application [3].

What is the TEF Canada reading format?

The reading section is 40 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour, done on a computer [2][3]. The exam body’s examination page sets out the rest [2]:

Sixty minutes for 40 questions is an average of 90 seconds a question. That is our arithmetic, not an exam body figure, and the texts vary in length, so some questions will take longer than others.

What kinds of texts are in TEF reading?

The TEF Canada pages themselves say only “written documents” [2][4]. A preparation article the exam body published on 8 December 2023 gives more detail, for the reading section shared by TEF Canada and TEFAQ [7]. It splits the 40 questions like this [7]:

That breakdown dates from the format change of 11 December 2023. The exam body’s notice of that change says the reading section got fewer questions in the same time, lost its reordering and synonym-sentence tasks, and gained gap sentences, more texts and rapid reading of short texts and graphics [8]. The current TEF Canada pages do not repeat the breakdown, so treat it as the exam body’s 2023 description.

How is TEF Canada reading scored?

Each correct answer earns 1 point, and a wrong or blank answer earns 0 [5]. There is no penalty for guessing. The raw total is not your final score: the exam body converts it into a calibrated score that “takes into account the differences in difficulty of the questions” [5].

Your certificate shows a score from 0 to 699 for the section, a CEFR level from A1 to C2 (or below A1), and a CLB level from 1 to 12 [5]. For Express Entry, IRCC reads a different column. It says your level “will be based on the ‘Équivalence ancien score’ (previous score equivalency)” and that you should not enter the “Score / 699” results in your profile [1].

What TEF Canada reading score is NCLC 5, 7 or 9?

On IRCC’s table, a TEF Canada reading score of 151 to 180 is NCLC 5, 207 to 232 is NCLC 7, and 248 to 262 is NCLC 9 [1]. These are “Équivalence ancien score” figures [1].

The reading ranges are not the same as the other skills’ ranges [1]. A reading score is only ever looked up in the reading column. For levels 4 to 10 in all 4 skills, use the TEF Canada score chart, or IRCC’s full table itself.

A worked example: one notice, one question

It is built like the “everyday documents” part described above [7]: a short notice, one question, 4 options.

Avis aux résidents

Des travaux de plomberie auront lieu le mardi 17 novembre. L’eau sera coupée de 9 h à 15 h dans tous les logements. Pensez à remplir quelques bouteilles la veille. Les ascenseurs fonctionneront normalement toute la journée. Si vous avez besoin d’eau ce jour-là pour une raison médicale, écrivez à la gestion de l’immeuble avant le vendredi 13 novembre. Nous trouverons une solution avec vous. Merci de votre patience.

La gestion de l’immeuble

Question. Une résidente a besoin d’eau le 17 novembre pour un traitement médical. Que doit-elle faire ?

• A. Remplir des bouteilles le matin du 17 novembre.
• B. Écrire à la gestion de l’immeuble avant le 13 novembre.
• C. Attendre 15 h pour utiliser l’eau.
• D. Appeler un plombier le jour des travaux.

Answer: B. The notice gives one instruction for a medical need: “écrivez à la gestion de l’immeuble avant le vendredi 13 novembre”. Each wrong option borrows a word from the text:

• A uses “remplir des bouteilles”, but the notice says to do it “la veille”, the day before, and it is advice for everyone.
• C uses “15 h”, the time the water comes back. Waiting until then does not meet a medical need during the day.
• D echoes “plomberie”, but the notice never asks residents to call anyone on the day.

That is the habit this example trains. In it, the wrong options repeat words from the text, and the right one matches its meaning.

How should you practise TEF compréhension écrite?

Practise in the format you will sit: one question at a time, 4 options, no dictionary and no notes [2]. The exam body’s own advice for this section [7]:

• Read the question and all 4 options before the document, then read the whole document.
• If a text or question stops you, note the screen number, move on and come back if time allows.
• Always answer. A wrong or blank answer costs nothing [5].
• Read widely, on varied subjects, to read faster and build vocabulary. The exam body says the section tests reading, not knowledge of the subject.

Add one habit of your own: time a block of 10 questions at 15 minutes, the same pace as 40 in an hour.

Where are the official TEF compréhension écrite practice papers?

The exam body’s TEF Canada preparation page links a reading sample paper, a reading tutorial and a recorded reading workshop [6]. It also lists a training book and an online platform, without saying whether they cost anything [6]. Our guide to the TEF Canada sample papers walks through every section’s official material.

Common mistakes

• Leaving questions blank. Blank and wrong answers both score 0, so a guess cannot lower your score [5].
• Entering the “Score / 699” number in Express Entry. IRCC wants the “Équivalence ancien score” column [1].
• Looking up a reading score in the speaking or listening column. Each skill has its own ranges [1].
• Practising with old-format material. The reordering and synonym tasks were removed on 11 December 2023 [8].
• Expecting to bring scrap paper or a dictionary. Neither is allowed in this section [2].
• Relying on a guide for exam facts, including this one. The exam body and IRCC update their pages. Compare their dates with the date at the top of this page.

Sources