What the TEF really wants to check
The examiner wants to see if you can:
- communicate a clear message
- follow specific instructions
- use the correct register (formal / semi-formal)
- organize your ideas logically
- use functional grammar (not perfect, but effective)
- convince, request, explain, propose, complain…
This is a communication skill, not a literary exercise.
Structure of the test
There are 2 compulsory tasks.
Task A — Functional message (≈ 60–80 words)
You must write a practical message:
- note
- announcement
- message to a service
- request for information
- complaint
- reservation
- invitation
Goal: to transmit information clearly
Task B — Opinion text (≈ 120–150 words)
You must respond to a situation:
- article
- forum message
- social debate
- neighborhood problem
- public situation
Goal: to give your opinion + justify it + propose solutions
The winning method (very important)
Many candidates fail because they write “like in school.”
The TEF requires a method.
Step 1 — Read the instructions like a detective
You must identify:
- Who is writing?
- To whom?
- Why?
- What you must absolutely include
Every word in the instructions is a mandatory requirement.
Step 2 — Make a mini plan (30 seconds)
Task A
Always follow this model:
- Greeting
- Why you are writing
- Important information
- Request / expected action
- Polite closing
Task B
Always follow this model:
- Introduction (react to the situation)
- Clear opinion
- Argument 1 + example
- Argument 2 + example
- Proposal / solution
- Conclusion
Step 3 — Use the TEF “magic phrases”
Examiners love to see:
- Je me permets de vous écrire… (I am writing to you…)
- Suite à votre message… (Following your message…)
- Je souhaite obtenir des informations… (I would like to obtain information…)
- En ce qui concerne… (Regarding…)
- À mon avis… (In my opinion…)
- Il est important de… (It is important to…)
- Il serait préférable de… (It would be preferable to…)
- Pour conclure… (To conclude…)
These expressions show a B2/C1 level, even with simple grammar.
Step 4 — Respect the word count
- Too few = penalty
- Too many = penalty
- Aim to stay within the required range
What causes loss of marks
- Going off topic
- Forgetting part of the instructions
- No structure
- No connectors
- Incorrect register (too informal)
- No conclusion in Task B
What earns high marks
- Very well-organized text
- Logical connectors
- Formal expressions
- Clear ideas
- Full respect of the situation
Golden rule
Do not write what you think. Write what the instructions require.