MockoTCF Expression écrite gives you three written tasks, each with a different purpose and a different expected length. Getting a good score is not only about grammar; it is about reading the prompt carefully, covering every required point, and choosing the right register. This lesson walks you through how to approach any TCF writing task from the moment you read the instructions to the moment you write your last sentence.
What you’ll learn
- Identify what each of the three TCF writing tasks requires
- Read a prompt and extract every mandatory point before writing
- Choose the right register (informal, semi-formal, or formal) for each task
- Plan a response in two minutes so every paragraph has a purpose
- Check your own text against the task instructions before moving on
What the three tasks look like
The TCF Expression écrite paper contains three tasks in order of difficulty. You write them all in one sitting, so managing your time across all three is part of the challenge.
- Task 1: a short message (60 to 80 words) in an informal or semi-formal register, responding to a friend, neighbour, or colleague.
- Task 2: a short article or notice (60 to 80 words) addressed to a wider audience, reporting a situation or sharing information.
- Task 3: a longer structured text (120 to 150 words) where you compare two opinions and give your own.
Word count ranges
- Tasks 1 and 2 sit in the 60 to 80 word range.
- Task 3 is longer: aim for 120 to 150 words.
- Being too short loses points. Being slightly over is generally fine.
Reading the prompt: find every required point
The prompt always specifies what you must include. Missing even one required element can drop your score by a full band. Before writing a single word, underline or circle each instruction in the prompt.
- 1Read the whole prompt once to understand the context.
- 2Identify who you are writing to and what your relationship is.
- 3List every piece of information the prompt asks you to give.
- 4Note any format clues: "écris un message", "rédige un article", "exprime ton opinion".
- 5Count the required points. Plan one short paragraph per point.
« Tu écris à un(e) ami(e). Tu lui donnes des nouvelles de ta vie. Tu lui proposes une activité pour le weekend. Tu lui demandes de ses nouvelles. »
"You write to a friend. You give news about your life. You suggest a weekend activity. You ask for their news." Three required points, all personal.
Choosing the right register
Register is one of the easiest ways to lose marks, and one of the easiest to get right if you pay attention to the context. The prompt tells you exactly who you are writing to.
- Writing to a friend or family member: use "tu", informal greetings (Salut, Coucou), and a relaxed closing (Bisous, À bientôt).
- Writing to a neighbour, classmate, or colleague you know: use "tu" or "vous" depending on the scenario, and a semi-formal tone.
- Writing an article or notice for a website or noticeboard: use "vous" or the impersonal "on", a neutral tone, and a heading if the prompt suggests one.
Register trap
- Do not mix registers. If you open with "Salut" and end with "Veuillez agréer mes salutations", that inconsistency costs you.
- Task 3 requires a more formal, structured text. Avoid "je trouve que c'est trop bien". Prefer "il me semble que" or "à mon avis".
A two-minute planning method
Two minutes of planning before you write saves time overall because you stop mid-sentence less often. Keep the plan very short, just enough to know what goes in each paragraph.
- 1Write the required points as a numbered list (e.g. 1. news about me, 2. suggest cinema, 3. ask about her job).
- 2Assign each point to a short paragraph. For Tasks 1 and 2, that usually means two or three paragraphs.
- 3For Task 3, note which source says what, and jot your own position in a word or two.
- 4Write the greeting or title line first. Starting with a fixed phrase removes the blank-page hesitation.
Checking your text before you move on
Leave thirty seconds at the end of each task to re-read what you wrote. You will not catch every error, but you can catch the most obvious ones.
- Did you address every point from the prompt?
- Is the register consistent throughout?
- Are verb endings correct, especially for agreement and tense?
- Is the word count in range?
How to practise this
- Take a past TCF prompt and spend exactly two minutes writing a plan before you type anything.
- Write the response, then compare it against the prompt line by line. Tick each required point.
- Try one task per day, timed. Speed and accuracy improve together with repetition.
Key takeaways
- The three tasks need different lengths: 60 to 80 words for Tasks 1 and 2, 120 to 150 words for Task 3.
- Underline every required point in the prompt before writing.
- Match your register to the recipient: informal for friends, more formal for articles and longer texts.
- Two minutes of planning prevents half-finished paragraphs and missed points.
- Re-read your text against the prompt before moving to the next task.
