FSW WORLDWIDE

[armitabbsn]

some sections in TCF might be harder but the good point in TCF is u only Need B2 in all sections to be given 50 extra points
While in TEF u need b2 plus for all sections

 

[SatNight]

some sections in TCF might be harder but the good point in TCF is u only Need B2 in all sections to be given 50 extra points
While in TEF u need b2 plus for all sections

My wife's answer: Listening is a bit more difficult in TCF, imo, but reading and writing in TEF are much more difficult than in TCF. Speaking is about the same. Just my opinion.

 

[armitabbsn]

My wife's reply (she's the one who took French): It is not. They are about the same difficulty, but reading and writing on TEF are much harder than TCF. The only section of TCF that might be a bit harder than TEF is listening, because you can hear the audio clip only once.

As for TCF speaking, it depends on your strengths. To me, roleplaying and convincing the examinateur was difficult, especially since you need to reply to their arguments and follow what they say. Both TEF speaking tasks are roleplaying, while only one on TCF. TCF has three speaking tasks, but the first one is always the same - present yourself. You can practice for that one. The second question (roleplay) is similar to the first TEF question. The third question is to talk about a topic without interruption, and perhaps this is the one people are scared of, but second TEF roleplay is also scary for some people (it was for me). So it's about the same. If you are going for B2, you don't need to be perfect. I made some errors and hesitated in the third question and didn't do great, but I still got B2 (and maximum points for B2, so level 8 and not 7).

My advice for everyone is to try TCF. It is simply an easier test, and it doesn't have the unpredictable writing task 1 (fait divers) which can mess up your whole score. Of course, there are people who don't have issues with TEF. It's not impossible to score well. But the fact that TCF doesn't have B2 inferior, and that at least two components of the test are much easier than TEF, made me decide to focus solely on TCF. It might also be the best course of action for someone else. (I never attempted TEF because I passed TCF on first try, but I don't regret my decision to go for TCF).

I may consider TCF as well
There are many different opinions abt these two
The thing is I only have Limit time to get ready and I wanna tale the exam in Nobember. And Im not sure for which TCF or TEF exam I can be better prepared

 

[SatNight]

I may consider TCF as well
There are many different opinions abt these two
The thing is I only have Limit time to get ready and I wanna tale the exam in Nobember. And Im not sure for which TCF or TEF exam I can be better prepared

Yes, if you have such a short time, you should focus on one test. Take some time to decide and then go for that one. The key to success is to prepare for the test. General knowledge of French is needed, yes, but if you prepare for the test you can score above your level. (You can be B1 and score B2).

 

[ashu2111]

He did say that, yes. Which can mean different things, as evidenced by recent OINP draws. One meaning (which we all prefer): "the only requirement is to have French skills". Another meaning (which happened at the latest OINP French draw) is: "NOC specific, but for people who also speak French". Which basically meant a glorified NOC specific draw, where your French skills helped you get selected with a lower score in your NOC, but that's all.

So yeah, it's not making me really enthusiastic for category draws, even though we have French. I sure hope that at least some French draws will be "French only" as a requirement. But if they can combine criteria (NOC+language) or any other criteria (NOC+ years of experience+ language+ blood type) then having French skills doesn't mean much.

Well if they make it that complicated then I doubt they'll meet their immigration quotas. But I agree that you're right. IRCC is not really reliable at all and that's an understatement. The current EE system with the CRS ranking is much better than NOC specific draws. It encourages people to work hard to improve their scores! Although it's entirely possible that from next year, they'll spit on the faces of candidates with 500+ crs to pick up NOC D occupations. It's scary. I wish they kept the current infrastructure in place or only did a limited number of NOC specific draw. Rehauling the entire system makes no sense.

 

[ashu2111]

I have heard the Speaking section in TCF is harder than TEF

I scored very high in DELF B2 but TEF Canada is a nightmare, even for those who are decent in French. Especially the reading part is so bad;they give you such limited amount of time. I completely messed it up. Did TCF Canada after that and scored two B2s and two C1s.

 

[Deleted member 1006777]

everyone keeps telling me a « b2 plus »
in next 4months ,from a2, is hardly achievable

This is false. It is achievable. Don't listen to people who have never done it and would rather talk nonsense about stuff they know nothing about. 7-8 hours a day and 4 months, it's very very likely you'll get a B2 plus in that time.

Also, don't put too much time into deciding which exam is easier or whatever. Pick one at random if you want, and stick with it. The key part is to give at least 2 months of prep time for whatever exam you decide to go with. I don't quite agree with TEF reading being tough, it was the section I least prepared for and was 2 points shorts of a C2 lmao. I barely passed writing though, and the key reason was not understanding the prompt fully.

 

[SatNight]

Well if they make it that complicated then I doubt they'll meet their immigration quotas. But I agree that you're right. IRCC is not really reliable at all and that's an understatement. The current EE system with the CRS ranking is much better than NOC specific draws. It encourages people to work hard to improve their scores! Although it's entirely possible that from next year, they'll spit on the faces of candidates with 500+ crs to pick up NOC D occupations. It's scary. I wish they kept the current infrastructure in place or only did a limited number of NOC specific draw. Rehauling the entire system makes no sense.

I can't believe I am saying this, but according to Sean * ( his unclear hints), it is likely that category draws will be combined with regular ones. I think it was something along the lines of "we will continue to invite high scoring candidates."

What that means in practice is anyone's guess, but I do think they will have at least some no category specified draws. But CRS scores will likely remain extremely high. Now it makes me think that perhaps the whole NOC draw thing is their attempt to correct that issue and give a chance to lower scoring candidates, too. This seems fair, except that I - selfishly, I admit - don't want it to hurt 500+ candidates.

 

[Rach WLT]

My wife's answer: Listening is a bit more difficult in TCF, imo, but reading and writing in TEF are much more difficult than in TCF. Speaking is about the same. Just my opinion.

Hi, any idea how many correct answers out of 29 questions to get B2 level in TCF?

 

[armitabbsn]

I scored very high in DELF B2 but TEF Canada is a nightmare, even for those who are decent in French. Especially the reading part is so bad;they give you such limited amount of time. I completely messed it up. Did TCF Canada after that and scored two B2s and two C1s.

I have heard in TCF speaking section its needed to speak for 5 min abt a subject
ThatS why I was cosidering TEF

 

[armitabbsn]

This is false. It is achievable. Don't listen to people who have never done it and would rather talk nonsense about stuff they know nothing about. 7-8 hours a day and 4 months, it's very very likely you'll get a B2 plus in that time.

Also, don't put too much time into deciding which exam is easier or whatever. Pick one at random if you want, and stick with it. The key part is to give at least 2 months of prep time for whatever exam you decide to go with. I don't quite agree with TEF reading being tough, it was the section I least prepared for and was 2 points shorts of a C2 lmao. I barely passed writing though, and the key reason was not understanding the prompt fully.

Hmm now u guys made me to consider TCF as well… well , the people in french groups and also my french teacher encouraged me towards TEF. Specially abt one of the sections in speaking which I need to talk abt sth for 5 min continously !
but the main good point abt TCF is I need B2( not b2 plus)

 

[Deleted member 1006777]

Hmm now u guys made me to consider TCF as well… well , the people in french groups and also my french teacher encouraged me towards TEF. Specially abt one of the sections in speaking which I need to talk abt sth for 5 min continously !
but the main good point abt TCF is I need B2( not b2 plus)

You're completely misunderstanding the point. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT EXAM YOU TAKE. TCF is not easier than TEF because you need a B2 and not a B2+. Idk where you're getting this bogus information from. The actual designation of A1 to C2 is completely irrelevant. This is not DELF/DALF. What matters is the actual score you get, and the conversion of that score to CLB levels. Whether TEF or TCF calls it B1 or Y17 makes absolutely no difference (to be more precise, there actually is no difference between CEFR levels between exams. Once again, either you're adhering to incorrect information or you're misunderstanding it).

Here's the ircc website for score conversions. The only thing that matters is to get your scores above the CLB7 level.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/language-requirements/test-equivalency-charts.html

^ Scroll all the way to the bottom.

If I have in any way made you "consider TCF as well", then I have wasted your time. Pick an exam an stick to it. Any time spent deciding which exam is easier or better is time wasted. Simple as that.

The way to get your desired score is toL
1. Get your true language ability to at least a low B2.
2. Pick an exam TCF or TEF (the most important factor is availability in your city or country), and prepare specifically for that exam to get a result above your true language ability.

 

[oinkario]

The way to get your desired score is toL
1. Get your true language ability to at least a low B2.
2. Pick an exam TCF or TEF (the most important factor is availability in your city or country), and prepare specifically for that exam to get a result above your true language ability.

Anyone giving advice like this really knows their shit and speaks the truth. No sarcasm.

 

[Deleted member 1006777]

Anyone giving advice like this really knows their shit and speaks the truth. No sarcasm.

lol that sounds extremely sarcastic but I'll take it at face value haha

 

[armitabbsn]

You're completely misunderstanding the point. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT EXAM YOU TAKE. TCF is not easier than TEF because you need a B2 and not a B2+. Idk where you're getting this bogus information from. The actual designation of A1 to C2 is completely irrelevant. This is not DELF/DALF. What matters is the actual score you get, and the conversion of that score to CLB levels. Whether TEF or TCF calls it B1 or Y17 makes absolutely no difference (to be more precise, there actually is no difference between CEFR levels between exams. Once again, either you're adhering to incorrect information or you're misunderstanding it).

Here's the ircc website for score conversions. The only thing that matters is to get your scores above the CLB7 level.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/standard-requirements/language-requirements/test-equivalency-charts.html

^ Scroll all the way to the bottom.

If I have in any way made you "consider TCF as well", then I have wasted your time. Pick an exam an stick to it. Any time spent deciding which exam is easier or better is time wasted. Simple as that.

The way to get your desired score is toL
1. Get your true language ability to at least a low B2.
2. Pick an exam TCF or TEF (the most important factor is availability in your city or country), and prepare specifically for that exam to get a result above your true language ability.

Got it
By saying « u guys made me to consider TCF » I meant u guys made me to consider and search a bit abt both exams.(cuz in my country ppl mainly take Tef) , now it seems both exams have some pros and cons / not much differences in the end

I will focus to get to low b2 level in the earliest
I thought in 4months getting b2 plus might be impossible
But Im more hopeful now

i just need to going back to the routine of studying 7-8hours daily