How to prepare for TEF Canada Compréhension écrite (reading)
Published 6/24/2026 · 5 min read
The reading section gives you 40 questions in 60 minutes — about 90 seconds per question. That sounds comfortable, but the texts range from short notices and adverts to longer articles, and the answer options are designed to look similar. Speed and precision both matter.
Read the question first
For most items, skim the question and options before you read the document. You'll know exactly what to look for, which stops you re-reading the whole passage. For 'which statement is true' questions, check each option against the text one by one and eliminate.
Watch for distractors
- •Options that repeat a word from the text but change the meaning.
- •Absolute words like 'toujours' or 'jamais' that overstate what the text says.
- •Numbers, dates, and prices that are close but not exact.
Build a review habit
After every practice test, review not just what you got wrong but why. Keep a short list of vocabulary and connectors you missed. Over a few weeks this list becomes your personalised study guide, and your accuracy climbs without adding study hours.
Practise this under the clock
Reading, listening, writing, and speaking — the first timed test in every module is free, with model answers and an estimated CLB level.