My wife had TCF exam recently, and I recommend it for everyone who knows at least a bit French. You will likely need to study a lot in a short time, but it is a good way to boost points.
If anyone has questions about the exam, my wife will answer.
Here are her tips for the exam:
- It is absolutely easier than TEF, in my opinion. It might not be easier to score C1 and C2, but getting B2, which you need for the bonus, is easier with TCF. Like someone else mentioned here, unlike TEF, this exam doesn't have B2 inferior. One of my 4 areas was barely B2, but it doesn't matter because a B2 is B2.
- Make sure to sign up for TCF Canada. That is the only one that counts. Also, when looking the grading scale, make sure to find one for TCF Canada because other versions of TCF have a slightly different scale. (And those pop up easily when you search, so make sure you find the right ones).
- Listening: 39 questions in 35 minutes. You can hear it only once. You have 15 seconds to answer before a new question plays automatically. If you are unsure between two options, remember the question because you will be able to change your answer later, during the reading part. However, you won't be able to listen to the audio clip again, so change your answer only if you remember the clip and if you feel you put a wrong answer the first time. Also, don't spend much time on this (correcting listening answers during reading) because you are taking away your reading time.
- Reading: 39 questions in 60 minutes. It starts very easy but the last ten questions or so are longer and complicated texts, and those bring the most points. Unlike listening, you can go through reading questions out of order, so my advice is to start with the last (most difficult) texts. You want to have enough time for them, and if you have to rush in the end, rush it with super short and easy early questions. Reading is my strong area but I actually did the worst on it because I practiced it the least, and because the texts were longer and more complicated than I expected.
- Writing. One of the main reasons I opted for TCF and not TEF. TCF writing is three short texts in 60 monutes: 1) one really short email (80 to 120 words); could/should be done in about 10 minutes. This is an A1/A2 level question. 2) A bit longer email or a blog post, typically requiring to write about the past (like describing a past event) (120 to 150 words). This one should be done in 15-20 minutes. This is a A2/B1 level question (to see if you reach B1 level, I assume). 3) Summarization of two short texts and giving your opinion on them (150 to 180 words). You want to leave about 30 minutes for this, because you need to read the two texts first. Summarization should be short (40 to 60 words) and your opinion a bit longer (120 to 140 words). It is always two texts adopting different stances on the same topic (social problem typically). This is a B2/C1/C2 level question. I think it would be advisable to use some "bigger" words here. I scored B2 (almost C1) so I suppose I did not use enough complexity here. But if you are only going for B2, it's good to know that you don't need super big words to pass.
- Speaking. I was particularly scared of this one, but it turned out that it was less scary than I feared. The first task is to introduce yourself in about 2 and a half minutes, so make sure to practice that one beforehand. Make sure to speak about future goals and also why you are taking the TCF test. If you don't, they might interrupt you to ask. They can also ask some other basic questions, like about your favourite food, movies, where you live, etc. Those should be easy questions because the first task is A1/A2 level. I didn't have the examinator ask me anything. The second task is a roleplay of an everyday situation where you pose the examinateur questions (for example, you want to join a gym and they work there). You have 2 minutes to prepare and write down questions. It is not too difficult (this is A2/B1 level) but pay attention to the answers the examinateur gives because you might need to adjust your questions (nothing too complex though). Also, pay attention if the setup makes the examinateur a service provider (or another unknown person) or a friend. If they are a friend, make sure to use "tu" and not "vous". The third task (B2/C1/C2 level) is to speak for 4 and a half minutes about a topic and to give your opinion (generally a situation from a society, like "what do you think about large number of cars in the cities?" or something like that). I read that it's best not to jump straight into your opinion ("I think there are too many cars") but to give a bit of introduction about this societal thing (this can be very generic and it can buy you time), and then give your opinion. I was particularly scared of this task but remember that you don't have to be perfect for B2. I caught myself making slight grammar mistakes but I pushed through and I spoke for the whole 4 and a half minutes (try to speak steadily but slowly). I also got B2 here, and also almost C1 but I think I was weaker here than in writing. So my conclusion is that they grade speaking a bit less strict. You also don't need to use big words, especially for B2. Remember, this question goes from B2 to C2 and you don't have to be perfect (I know I wasn't; I stumbled a few times and also made some mistakes). So, just try to relax and try to speak as long as possible. If you run out of ideas, I heard that the examinateur might ask you questions to get you going, but it didn't happen to me. Also, I think your behaviour during the test is important, try to look confident and not scared because it gives a better impression. Not sure how much it matters, but it can't hurt.
- Look for old questions to get a feel of what they ask and what is expected. They also sometimes repeat questions. Do not count on it, but if you practice similar questions you have a chance to do well.
If anyone has questions about the exam, my wife will answer.
Here are her tips for the exam:
- It is absolutely easier than TEF, in my opinion. It might not be easier to score C1 and C2, but getting B2, which you need for the bonus, is easier with TCF. Like someone else mentioned here, unlike TEF, this exam doesn't have B2 inferior. One of my 4 areas was barely B2, but it doesn't matter because a B2 is B2.
- Make sure to sign up for TCF Canada. That is the only one that counts. Also, when looking the grading scale, make sure to find one for TCF Canada because other versions of TCF have a slightly different scale. (And those pop up easily when you search, so make sure you find the right ones).
- Listening: 39 questions in 35 minutes. You can hear it only once. You have 15 seconds to answer before a new question plays automatically. If you are unsure between two options, remember the question because you will be able to change your answer later, during the reading part. However, you won't be able to listen to the audio clip again, so change your answer only if you remember the clip and if you feel you put a wrong answer the first time. Also, don't spend much time on this (correcting listening answers during reading) because you are taking away your reading time.
- Reading: 39 questions in 60 minutes. It starts very easy but the last ten questions or so are longer and complicated texts, and those bring the most points. Unlike listening, you can go through reading questions out of order, so my advice is to start with the last (most difficult) texts. You want to have enough time for them, and if you have to rush in the end, rush it with super short and easy early questions. Reading is my strong area but I actually did the worst on it because I practiced it the least, and because the texts were longer and more complicated than I expected.
- Writing. One of the main reasons I opted for TCF and not TEF. TCF writing is three short texts in 60 monutes: 1) one really short email (80 to 120 words); could/should be done in about 10 minutes. This is an A1/A2 level question. 2) A bit longer email or a blog post, typically requiring to write about the past (like describing a past event) (120 to 150 words). This one should be done in 15-20 minutes. This is a A2/B1 level question (to see if you reach B1 level, I assume). 3) Summarization of two short texts and giving your opinion on them (150 to 180 words). You want to leave about 30 minutes for this, because you need to read the two texts first. Summarization should be short (40 to 60 words) and your opinion a bit longer (120 to 140 words). It is always two texts adopting different stances on the same topic (social problem typically). This is a B2/C1/C2 level question. I think it would be advisable to use some "bigger" words here. I scored B2 (almost C1) so I suppose I did not use enough complexity here. But if you are only going for B2, it's good to know that you don't need super big words to pass.
- Speaking. I was particularly scared of this one, but it turned out that it was less scary than I feared. The first task is to introduce yourself in about 2 and a half minutes, so make sure to practice that one beforehand. Make sure to speak about future goals and also why you are taking the TCF test. If you don't, they might interrupt you to ask. They can also ask some other basic questions, like about your favourite food, movies, where you live, etc. Those should be easy questions because the first task is A1/A2 level. I didn't have the examinator ask me anything. The second task is a roleplay of an everyday situation where you pose the examinateur questions (for example, you want to join a gym and they work there). You have 2 minutes to prepare and write down questions. It is not too difficult (this is A2/B1 level) but pay attention to the answers the examinateur gives because you might need to adjust your questions (nothing too complex though). Also, pay attention if the setup makes the examinateur a service provider (or another unknown person) or a friend. If they are a friend, make sure to use "tu" and not "vous". The third task (B2/C1/C2 level) is to speak for 4 and a half minutes about a topic and to give your opinion (generally a situation from a society, like "what do you think about large number of cars in the cities?" or something like that). I read that it's best not to jump straight into your opinion ("I think there are too many cars") but to give a bit of introduction about this societal thing (this can be very generic and it can buy you time), and then give your opinion. I was particularly scared of this task but remember that you don't have to be perfect for B2. I caught myself making slight grammar mistakes but I pushed through and I spoke for the whole 4 and a half minutes (try to speak steadily but slowly). I also got B2 here, and also almost C1 but I think I was weaker here than in writing. So my conclusion is that they grade speaking a bit less strict. You also don't need to use big words, especially for B2. Remember, this question goes from B2 to C2 and you don't have to be perfect (I know I wasn't; I stumbled a few times and also made some mistakes). So, just try to relax and try to speak as long as possible. If you run out of ideas, I heard that the examinateur might ask you questions to get you going, but it didn't happen to me. Also, I think your behaviour during the test is important, try to look confident and not scared because it gives a better impression. Not sure how much it matters, but it can't hurt.
- Look for old questions to get a feel of what they ask and what is expected. They also sometimes repeat questions. Do not count on it, but if you practice similar questions you have a chance to do well.
