Do you need to take the TCF Canada in Montreal?
ELC College is an official test center recognized by France Éducation International for the organization and supervision of TCF exams in Montreal. We offer frequent test sessions under optimal examination conditions, combining modern facilities, quiet and spacious test rooms, strict security measures, and supervision in full compliance with official standards.
The TCF Canada is intended for candidates who need to certify their level of French as part of an economic immigration application or an application for Canadian citizenship, and whose file must be submitted to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Take the TCF Canada in Montreal in an optimal, calm, secure testing environment designed to maximize your chances of success.
Test overview
ELC College offers the TCF exclusively in computer-based format (TCF SO).
The TCF Canada consists of four mandatory tests assessing general French language skills:
Listening Comprehension : Group test: 39 multiple-choice questions (4 answer options, only one correct). Duration: 35 minutes.
Reading Comprehension : Group test: 39 multiple-choice questions (4 answer options, only one correct). Duration: 60 minutes.
Writing : Group test: 3 tasks. Duration: 60 minutes.
Speaking : Individual face-to-face test with an examiner: 3 tasks. Duration: 12 minutes (including 2 minutes of preparation).
Total duration of the TCF Canada: 2 hours and 47 minutes.
What do the different tests assess?
These questions assess the ability to understand spoken French, for example:
Familiar words and common expressions used in everyday communication situations (dialogues, interviews, phone conversations, etc.).
The main idea of simple and clear messages and announcements.
Information about people, facts, or events in radio or television programs related to current affairs or personal/professional topics.
Presentations on concrete or abstract topics.
Any type of speech delivered at a normal speaking pace.
This test consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQ). For each question, there are four answer choices (A, B, C, D), but only one is correct.
The tests follow a principle of progressive difficulty.
Each audio recording is played only once. The question is asked after listening to the audio document.
These questions assess the ability to understand written French, for example:
Familiar names, words, and very simple sentences used in communication situations (messages and personal or administrative letters).
Information contained in everyday documents (classified ads, brochures, menus, schedules, etc.).
Information about people, facts, or events (personal letters).
Texts written in standard language related to daily life or work.
Articles and reports in which authors express opinions on concrete or abstract topics.
Long and complex factual or literary texts, as well as specialized articles.
Abstract or complex texts taken from books or specialized publications.
This test consists of multiple-choice questions (MCQ) with only one correct answer.
The tests follow a principle of progressive difficulty.
This test assesses the ability to express oneself orally in French and consists of three tasks:
Task 1 – Guided interview without preparation (2 minutes): the candidate demonstrates their ability to interact with someone they do not know (the examiner).
Task 2 – Interactive exercise with preparation (5 minutes 30 seconds, including 2 minutes of preparation): the candidate demonstrates their ability to obtain information in an everyday situation. The roles of the candidate and the interlocutor are specified in the instructions.
Task 3 – Expressing a point of view without preparation (4 minutes 30 seconds): the candidate demonstrates their ability to speak spontaneously, continuously, and convincingly in response to a question chosen by the examiner.
In this test, the candidate is assessed on their ability to:
Talk about themselves and their personal and professional environment.
Ask questions appropriate to the communication situation.
Give an opinion and explain advantages and disadvantages, express agreement and disagreement.
Present a clear and structured argument adapted to the context.
Present complex topics in a detailed and structured manner, develop them, and conclude.
This test assesses the ability to express oneself in written French and consists of three tasks:
Task 1 : writing a message to describe, narrate, and/or explain, addressed to one or more recipients whose status is specified in the instructions. Expected length: minimum 60 words / maximum 120 words.
Task 2 : writing an article, letter, memo, etc., addressed to several recipients, to report on an experience or event. Reports and narratives must include comments, opinions, or arguments depending on the objective (e.g., making a claim, reconciling, etc.). Expected length: minimum 120 words / maximum 150 words.
Task 3 : writing a text (for a newspaper, website, colleague, supervisor, etc.) comparing two viewpoints on a social issue expressed in two documents. The candidate gives their opinion on the topic addressed in both documents. Expected length: minimum 120 words / maximum 180 words.
In this test, the candidate is assessed on their ability to:
Communicate a message clearly.
Provide the required information.
Describe, narrate, and explain.
Justify a choice, position, or decision.
Link ideas and demonstrate coherence in their writing.
Compare two viewpoints.
Express and support an opinion.
Use vocabulary and structures appropriate to the task.
Reformulate ideas.
The writing test may be graded as “A1 not achieved” if:
The writing is illegible (in the case of a paper-based test).
The required word count is not respected.
The production is off-topic.
One or more tasks are not completed.
Results
Results are sent within 15 business days from the test date.
You will receive your statement of results by email.
Your certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of issue. This validity date will be indicated on your certificate.
For more information about results, please click here.
Test accommodations
As an official TCF test center, ELC College is committed to fighting all forms of discrimination and guaranteeing equal treatment for all candidates. We offer various accommodations to make the Test de connaissance du français (TCF) accessible to candidates with disabilities or digital literacy difficulties.
To benefit from accommodations, the candidate must submit a recent medical certificate to our test center at least two months before the test session date.
To learn more about TCF test accommodations, please click here.
Anti-fraud measures
At Collège ELC, the integrity and security of assessments are among our top priorities.
We are actively committed to preventing fraud and any attempt to circumvent testing rules.
To ensure fair testing conditions that comply with international standards, we have implemented strict control measures, including:
A video surveillance system throughout the testing laboratory.
The use of a metal detector before entering the test room.
Enhanced identity checks carried out at several points during the session.
- Additional internal security protocols designed to protect the integrity of the tests.
Thanks to these strict practices, we provide a secure, reliable, and transparent environment for candidates and certifying organizations.
For more information about sanctions in cases of fraud, please click here.
Understand every step of your exam journey !
Make sure to choose the correct test when registering (TCF Canada, TCF Québec or TCF Tout Public) and to use a personal and unique email address (two candidates cannot use the same email address). Once your registration is completed, you will automatically receive your confirmation notice as well as your invoice. This email will contain all the information required to prepare for and take your test.
No later than two days before your exam date, you will receive a final communication prior to the test, indicating the arrival times for each of your test components. Please note that it is essential to reserve the entire day for the test.
During your registration, you will be required to accept our policies outlining the registration conditions. Please read them carefully.
For any request to modify or cancel your registration, please refer to the section dedicated to our policies.
We strongly encourage you to begin your preparation as soon as possible in order to optimize your time and maximize your chances of achieving the desired results.
No late arrivals are accepted: any candidate arriving after the indicated time will be denied access to the test.
Candidates must be able to prove their identity and must present a valid, official photo ID on the day of the test. Accepted forms of identification include: passport, national identity card, driver’s licence.
If you fail to present valid identification, you will be denied access to the exam and no refund of the registration fees will be issued. After verifying your identity and your confirmation notice (sent by email following your registration), the test supervisor will ask you to sign an identification document on a tablet. Please carefully verify your personal information at that time to ensure that your results certificate matches your identification document.
In the event of an error or an unreported modification on the day of the test, no correction will be possible once the results certificate has been issued.
Before entering the lab, you will be scanned using a metal detector. Please inform us if you are pregnant, if you wear a medical device that may interfere with the metal detector, or if you have any other condition that may prevent this screening.
The supervisor will then indicate where you should be seated in order to begin your test components.
Please also note that the laboratory is fully equipped with surveillance cameras to ensure the proper conduct of the test.
Rules to be respected during the test components:
- You must place your personal belongings in a secure area provided for this purpose. Please ensure that all electronic devices are turned off before handing them over to staff.
- You may not use a dictionary or any reference materials.
- No personal items may remain visible or on the desk during the test, except for your identification document.
- You must not communicate with other candidates.
- Please note that no breaks or exits are permitted during the entire duration of the computer-based test components.
- We use QWERTY keyboards configured in French (Canada) for all candidates. A virtual keyboard will be available for special characters during the written expression test.
- We do not offer childcare services; please do not leave children unattended during your test session.
The listening comprehension and written expression tests are conducted on a computer.
The supervisor provides each candidate with a username and password. The candidate then accesses the testing platform and follows the instructions for each test component.
In the event of any issue during your test (technical problems, sound issues, etc.), please inform your supervisor immediately.
Once the test is completed, you may collect your personal belongings and leave the premises. Your results will be sent to you by email within a maximum of 15 business days (approximately 3 weeks) from the test date. Your results certificate is valid for 2 years from its date of issue.
If you wish to submit a request for re-marking, please contact tcf@elccollege.ca. For more details, please consult: TCF Candidate Handbook
If you are required to retake the exam, a minimum waiting period of 20 days is required between two consecutive sittings of the same test components, regardless of the type of TCF test.
