The TCF Canada writing exam — Expression Écrite — requires you to complete three tasks in 60 minutes, each with a strict minimum word count. Missing the minimum on any task costs you points regardless of how well-written your French is. Here is exactly what each task demands.

TCF Canada Writing Tasks at a Glance

The Expression Écrite section is divided into three tasks of increasing difficulty. Each tests a different type of writing — informal message, formal letter, and structured argument — with its own word-count range and time allocation.

These are minimums, not targets. Examiners deduct marks for going significantly under. Going slightly over is fine, but do not sacrifice clarity for length.

Task 1: How Long Should Your Short Message Be?

Task 1 asks you to write a short informal message — typically an email, text, or note to a friend or colleague. The minimum is 60 words, with most candidates aiming for 70–80 words. You have approximately 10 minutes.

The scenario is always simple: invite someone to an event, thank a contact for help, or explain a change of plan. You do not need complex vocabulary or elaborate structure — you need to respond to the prompt directly and hit your word count.

Task 2: How Long Should Your Formal Letter Be?

Task 2 requires a formal letter or structured note — typically a complaint, a request, or a professional inquiry. The word-count range is 120–150 words, and you have approximately 15 minutes.

This task rewards candidates who know standard French letter conventions. A formal opening (Madame, Monsieur,) and a closing formula (Veuillez agréer, Madame, Monsieur, l'expression de mes salutations distinguées.) are expected — and they add 20–25 words to your total before you write a single sentence of content.

Structure your response in three parts: state why you are writing, develop your point in one or two short paragraphs, and close formally. Staying within 120–150 words forces you to be concise — a skill the exam is explicitly testing.

Task 3: How Long Should Your Argumentative Text Be?

Task 3 is the most heavily weighted part of the Expression Écrite. You are asked to compare two viewpoints or argue a position in 120–180 words. You have approximately 35 minutes — spend the first five planning your structure before you write a single word.

The prompt presents a scenario with two opposing perspectives. Your job is to present both sides and reach a conclusion, or argue clearly for one position. Examiners look for logical structure, appropriate connectors (en revanche, par conséquent, bien que), and grammatical accuracy — especially your use of the conditional and subjunctive.

Many candidates write 120 words and stop. Task 3 rewards development. Aim for 160–170 words: introduction (2–3 sentences), two developed paragraphs, and a short conclusion.

What Counts as a Word in TCF Writing?

A common source of anxiety is not knowing exactly what TCF examiners count. The rule is simple: any sequence of characters separated by spaces is one word. Contractions, hyphenated expressions, and punctuated words each count as one word.

Your greeting line, closing formula, and subject line all count toward the total. This is good news for Task 2 — a complete formal letter structure gives you 20–25 words of your minimum before you begin the body. In Task 1, a greeting and sign-off alone contribute 5–10 words.

Building Your Handwriting Calibration Before the Exam

Three weeks before your exam, run this one-time calibration exercise: write a passage of exactly 80 words in your normal exam handwriting on a piece of paper with similar line width to your exam sheet. Count the number of lines you used. Divide: if 80 words filled 9 lines, you average approximately 9 words per line.

On exam day, use that number constantly. After completing Task 1, count your lines and multiply — if you have 7 lines written, that is approximately 63 words, which is above the 60-word minimum. For Task 2, you need around 14 lines plus your opening and closing formulas. This gives you real-time control without breaking your writing flow to count every word individually.

Candidates who run this calibration even once before their exam consistently report less anxiety about word counts on the day — because they know their writing, and they trust their estimate.

How to Track Your Word Count Before the Exam

In the real TCF exam, you count words manually on paper. The risk: if you have never practised this, your estimates will be off — and most candidates undercount by 10–15%. The fix is to develop a natural sense of what 80 words and 150 words look like in your own handwriting before exam day.

Use the French Word Counter during your practice sessions. Paste your draft and get an instant count, then compare it to your manual estimate. After five or six practice runs, you will know your average sentence length and how many lines equal 60, 120, or 180 words — knowledge you carry into the exam room.

The Word Counter also includes one-click TCF exam presets: set the 60-word target for Task 1 or the 120-word target for Task 2 and watch the progress bar fill as you write. Candidates who practise with accurate word tracking consistently outperform those who guess.