Essentials to Bring
The exam center will not make exceptions; missing any item means no entry:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Valid Passport | Ottawa and Vancouver only accept passports. Toronto also accepts driver’s license |
| Printed Exam Confirmation Letter | Ottawa explicitly requires a paper convocation; phone screenshots may be rejected |
| Valid ID | Must match the ID used during registration |
Prohibited Items
- Phones, smartwatches, headphones (AirPods) — all must be turned off and stored away
- Paper notes, dictionaries, textbooks
- ID must be placed on the desk during the exam
Allowed Items (varies by center)
- Vancouver: water and snacks allowed (must be silent)
- Other centers: check in advance
Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy
Policies vary by center; confirm with your registration center.
Ottawa Alliance Française
- Cancellation/rescheduling fee: $100 CAD
- Deadline: Before the exam registration deadline (usually 2-3 weeks before exam day)
- After deadline: no refund, no reschedule
- Exceptions: medical/family emergencies with hospital proof may apply
Vancouver Alliance Française
- No refunds, no rescheduling, no transfers — purchase is final
General Rules
- Minimum gap between two exams: 20-30 days (violations lead to disqualification + fee)
- If the center cancels: full refund or reschedule
Advice: Mark the cancellation deadline on your calendar immediately after registering. Miss it and $400 is gone.
Exam Day Procedures
Arrival
- Arrive 30 minutes early
- Late arrivals are not allowed in, counted as no-show, no refund
- Photo ID verification at entry
Exam Order
| Section | Duration | Number of Questions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening (CO) | 35 minutes | 39 questions | Audio played once, no pause |
| Reading (CE) | 60 minutes | 39 questions | Increasing difficulty |
| Writing (EE) | 60 minutes | 3 tasks | 60+120+240 words |
| Speaking (EO) | 12 minutes | 3 tasks | Recorded on computer |
- No leaving your seat during Listening + Reading (about 1 hour 35 minutes)
- No leaving during Writing either
- Some centers have a short break between written and oral parts
- Reserve a full day for the exam
Equipment
- Computer + headphones (provided by center)
- Standard QWERTY keyboard (Montreal Concordia may have French keyboard; get used to it beforehand)
- Microphone for speaking section recording
Mindset and Tips
Night Before
- Sleep normally; don’t cram last minute — your level won’t change overnight
- Prepare all materials in your bag
- Set alarms and allow travel time
Common Mistakes During Exam
- Listening: Trying to catch every word → focus on gist. Audio plays once, miss it and move on
- Reading: Stuck on hard questions → do easy ones first, then return. B1-B2 questions carry most points
- Writing: Word count too low or way over → stick strictly to requirements
- Speaking: Long silences → better to speak imperfectly than not at all; recording time is fixed
Time Management
- Listening: pace controlled by audio, read questions ahead
- Reading: about 1.5 minutes per question, quick on easy ones, save time for hard ones
- Writing: Task 1 ~10 minutes, Task 2 ~20 minutes, Task 3 ~30 minutes
After the Exam
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Result Release Time | 2-4 weeks (computer exams usually 2 weeks, paper exams 4 weeks) |
| How to Get Results | Email notification to download attestation, or mailed by center |
| Validity Period | 2 years (from result date) |
| Note | Only one certificate issued; keep a digital copy yourself |
Reminder for Immigration Applicants
- Express Entry and PR applications require scores valid within 2 years
- Express Entry profile valid 12 months — ensure your score doesn’t expire during this period
- Use the "Equivalence ancien score" column when entering scores, not "Score / 699"
- Select "TCF Canada" (not other TCF versions)
Last Week Before Exam: Study Recommendations
- Listening & Reading: Do one full mock test daily using 144 Listening + 140 Reading sets
- Review Mistakes: Focus on your mistake log, avoid random new questions
- Speaking: Practice daily with AI conversation drills
- Writing: Complete at least one mock writing exam
- Vocabulary: Use dictation mode to reinforce high-frequency words
Good luck on your exam!