What happens on TCF Canada exam day, from check-in to speaking?
Checked November 1, 2026
Arrive at the time and place on your notice to attend (convocation) with valid photo ID. You are photographed, you sign in, and only your ID, the notice and a blue or black pen stay on the desk. The written tests are taken as a group, speaking alone with an examiner. If you are late, you are not let in.
Before you go in
- The notice to attend gives the dates, times and place of the tests. The centre sets them, including the time of the speaking test. The handbook gives no arrival time and no break length.
- Lateness is not forgiven. A late candidate is not admitted and not refunded, except for documented force majeure (cancel or reschedule). Nobody is let in after the test material is handed out, or after listening starts.
- Photo ID must be valid, for example a passport, residence permit or national ID card. Without it you cannot sit the test. A second ID may be asked for if the photo is a poor match. If your ID is not on this list, ask the centre before the day.
- The photo is taken on site, face uncovered and recognisable. No photo, no results certificate.
In the room
- You sign the attendance sheet.
- You switch off your phone and leave your belongings where you are told.
- The invigilator explains the format, instructions, duration, penalties for fraud and the results date.
- Check your personal details and report any error. They go on the certificate.
No books, dictionaries, notes, calculators or devices are allowed. Being caught with one leads to a formal report.
The tests
| Test | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | As a group. Each recording plays once. Nobody leaves during the test | 35 min |
| Reading | As a group | 60 min |
| Writing | As a group. On paper only the booklet is marked, the draft sheet is destroyed | 60 min |
| Speaking | Alone, facing an examiner, recorded | 12 min |
On paper, the answer sheet for listening and reading has two lines of boxes per question. You tick your answer in the square box on the first line. If you make a mistake, you tick the right answer in the round box on the second line, and you can only correct once. On computer, you sit at a workstation labelled with your candidate code. To step out you need the invigilator’s permission, and lost time is not given back.
After the tests
Report any incident to the centre the same day, right after the tests (noise, faulty sound, late start). A complaint must be made before results are published. You keep no question paper or draft.
The full format is in tests and timing. Before the day, a timed writing task puts you in exam conditions, and NCLC Prep marks it for free.