The TEF Canada writing test lasts one hour and contains two sections. Section A lasts 25 minutes and requires at least 80 words. Section B lasts 35 minutes and requires at least 200 words. Both are completed on a computer.
The two tasks are not simply a short essay and a long essay. They test different kinds of writing. Section A asks you to continue an article naturally. Section B asks you to express and justify a point of view. Treating them as the same task is one of the easiest ways to lose clarity.
TEF Canada Writing Test at a Glance
| Section | Time | Minimum | Task |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 25 minutes | 80 words | Continue an article |
| B | 35 minutes | 200 words | Express and justify a viewpoint |
Section A: Continue an Article
You receive the beginning of a short article or news story and write what happens next. Your continuation should connect to the information already provided. It needs a believable sequence, clear references to people or events, and an ending that feels complete enough for the format.
You are not being asked to explain your personal opinion. If the prompt introduces a missing object, an unusual incident, or a local event, continue that story. Changing the topic into a general discussion about society does not complete the task.
A Practical Section A Structure
- Connect immediately to the final detail in the prompt.
- Develop the event with two or three clear actions or discoveries.
- Use time markers so the sequence is easy to follow.
- Include relevant detail without adding too many new characters.
- Finish with an outcome, reaction, or next development.
The minimum is 80 words, not a target that guarantees a strong response. Aim to complete the story clearly, but do not spend so long expanding Section A that Section B becomes rushed.
Section B: Express and Justify a Point of View
Section B gives you a statement or issue and asks you to defend a position. A clear answer normally states the viewpoint, develops several reasons, supports them with examples, and addresses the issue directly.
Listing opinions without explanation produces a thin argument even if the grammar is correct.
A Workable Section B Plan
- Opening: Identify the issue and state your position.
- Argument 1: Explain one reason and give a concrete example.
- Argument 2: Develop a different reason, not a repetition.
- Nuance or response: Recognize a limitation or opposing view when useful.
- Conclusion: Restate the position and propose a practical idea or final observation.
What Makes a Response Effective?
Good writing is easy to follow. The reader should understand how one sentence leads to the next and why each paragraph exists.
Variety helps, but forcing rare vocabulary into an unnatural sentence can create more problems than using a familiar word correctly.
Accuracy matters, but so do range and task completion. Review verb forms, agreements, connectors, and punctuation while keeping enough time to check whether you answered the actual prompt.
A polished response to a different question is still off task.
Common Writing Mistakes
- Using the same memorized introduction for every Section B topic.
- Writing fewer than the required minimum words.
- Turning Section A into an opinion essay.
- Repeating one reason instead of developing distinct arguments.
- Using long sentences that lose grammatical control.
- Leaving no time to review names, verb endings, and missing words.
How to Divide the Hour
The platform assigns 25 minutes to Section A and 35 minutes to Section B.
Within each period, reserve a small amount of time to plan and review. A two-minute outline can prevent ten minutes of rewriting.
In Section B, decide your position and arguments before drafting the opening paragraph.
Typing in French on the Exam Computer
The writing test is computer-based. If the physical keyboard does not display French characters such as é, è, ê, ç, or à, the official platform provides access to special characters.
Practise typing complete French texts before the exam so that keyboard use does not consume unnecessary attention.
How to Practise
Write under the official limits, then review the result in two stages.
1. Check the Content
Ask yourself:
- Did I complete the task?
- Did I develop my ideas?
- Did I respect the required format?
- Did I answer the actual prompt?
2. Check the Language
Then review:
- Grammar and verb forms
- Agreements
- Connectors
- Vocabulary
- Punctuation
- Sentence structure
Correcting only spelling will not fix an unclear argument.
Use official sample materials and vary the prompts. Rewriting the same comfortable topic can create confidence without flexibility. The real test requires you to respond to the document you receive.
Take the TEF Canada Writing Test in Toronto
CSA Toronto administers official computer-based TEF Canada and TEFAQ writing tests at its Brampton centre.
