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Preparing for TCFPreparing for TEF

TEF or TCF Canada: which should you choose, and what is the difference?

Alena Kopalina

What is the difference between TEF and TCF Canada? ⠀  Regular readers of my blog know that I’ve already explained what each exam involves. Even so, choosing between the two is not easy.  Therefore, in this article I will try to compare tests, and you yourself decide what you like best. It’s difficult for me to judge, although, of course, I have preferences. But I'll tell you about them at the end. ⠀  

So what's the difference?

⠀

Listening

  • in TCF – lasts 35 minutes, you have 39 questions
  • in TEF – this is 40 minutes and 60 questions ⠀

Reading

  • in TCF: 60 minutes, 39 questions
  • in TEF: 60 minutes, 50 questions ⠀

There are noticeably more questions in TEF, since many audio and texts require several questions at once. But don't let the quantity scare you. In a sense, it’s even easier - read/listen to one text - he will answer. You switch less.

Speaking

  • TCF lasts 12 minutes, you complete 3 tasks - talk about yourself; ask questions; defend your point of view with arguments
  • in TEF you have 15 minutes and 2 tasks for everything - ask questions and convincingly convince your interlocutor ⠀

Letter

  • in TCF you have 60 minutes for 3 tasks - write a letter or short message; article or story; text presentation of two points of view on the topic under discussion
  • in TEF: 60 minutes, 2 tasks – continue the story in the spirit of ‘faits divers’ and write a letter in defense of your point of view ⠀

The restrictions in TCF are very strict - there is a minimum and a maximum of words. In TEF - only the minimum.

You can retake both tests after 30 days. Certificates are valid for 2 years.

Appeal

  • in TCF it is quite possible in writing and speaking. You have 30 days after receiving the certificate, but no one guarantees that the score will naturally increase. It will cost 20-80 dollars.
  • in TEF your answers will not be checked again, even if the exam conditions were violated. They will simply cancel the results and you will take the exam again. ⠀

And even despite this, I am for TEF because:

  1. Personally, I think it’s more structured in all parts
  2. takes place regularly
  3. the exam is a hundred years old at lunch and a lot of materials for preparation ⠀

 

But I am not able to impose. This is so, thoughts out loud. ⠀

Read other useful articles: 

What does TEF Canada include?

What does TCF Canada include?

Requesting a TEF Canada score review

Oral part TEF Canada: Section A. What topics should I prepare for?