TCF Canada speaking or writing, what is different and which to prepare first?
Checked November 3, 2026
Both give a mark out of 20 and convert to NCLC the same way (10 out of 20 is NCLC 7). What changes is the format. Writing is 60 minutes for 3 texts with word limits, where every spelling and agreement mistake stays visible. Speaking is 12 minutes face to face with an examiner, where fluency, pronunciation and interaction count. Our advice is to work first on the one that is furthest from your target, and if you don’t know, start with writing, because its task 3 plan also serves in speaking.
What changes
| Point | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 60 minutes | 12 minutes |
| Setting | Group session, paper or computer | One to one with an examiner |
| Tasks | Message, article or letter, opinion on two documents | Interview, role-play, point of view |
| Preparation | You manage the hour yourself | 2 minutes, for task 2 only |
| Limits | 60–120, 120–150 and 120–180 words | 2 min, 3 min 30 (+ 2 min prep), 4 min 30 |
| Who marks | Two markings. On computer, one may be done by the FIDELIA tool, the other is always human | The examiner, then a second marker on the recording |
- Errors. In writing, every agreement and spelling mistake stays on the page, and spelling is part of the criteria (do spelling mistakes cost points). In speaking, pronunciation and fluency are assessed instead, and you can correct yourself as you go.
- Time pressure. Writing is one long hour you plan yourself. Speaking is short and leaves no time to reread, so you have to find words in real time.
- Interaction. In speaking task 2 you lead the conversation and ask the questions, and the examiner may interrupt task 3 to ask for detail. Nothing like that exists in writing.
- Task 3. In writing, task 3 is about a social issue and starts from two short documents to compare. In speaking, task 3 is a question chosen by the examiner, and you answer straight away with no preparation.
- Length rules. Writing has a minimum and a maximum number of words per task. Speaking has a fixed time per task instead.
What stays the same
- The mark and the bands. Each skill gets one mark out of 20, converted with the same table, 10–11 for NCLC 7, 12–13 for NCLC 8 and 14–15 for NCLC 9 (full chart).
- The criteria and the limits of feedback. FEI groups the criteria the same way (linguistic, pragmatic, sociolinguistic), sends back no annotated copy or comments, and has suspended re-marking of both skills for sessions from 1 September 2026 (details). A text recited by heart can be rated “A1 non atteint” in either (memorised templates).
Which one to prepare first
There is no official answer, so this is our advice.
- Start with the one furthest from your target. If you need NCLC 7, a speaking mark of 8 and a writing mark of 11 tell you where the work is. Without a mark, do one timed practice in each and compare.
- If both are close, or you don’t know, start with writing. The plan you build for writing task 3 (position, two arguments, an objection, a conclusion) is the plan you need in speaking task 3, and a text can be checked line by line, a spoken answer much less easily.
- Then speak every day. Speaking needs volume. Record yourself on the three task types against a timer, as in the speaking guide.
The vocabulary and linking words you work on in writing become available when you speak, as long as you also say them out loud.
Writing is the skill you can get an estimated mark for here before the exam. Write one task 3, then reuse its plan out loud.