Navigating the TEF Reading Paper Format | TEF Reading

The TEF Compréhension écrite paper is a single timed sitting that moves through several distinct section types, from very short everyday documents to longer press articles. Candidates who know what to expect from each section use their time much more efficiently than those who read every text the same way. This lesson maps the paper so you can move through it with a clear plan.

What you’ll learn

Name the main section types in TEF Compréhension écrite and the text length for each.
Apply a different reading strategy (scanning, skimming, close reading) depending on the section.
Allocate time sensibly across sections so longer texts do not eat into time for shorter items.
Recognise the question types used in each section to set up the right mental frame.

Overview of the TEF reading paper

The TEF Compréhension écrite paper contains multiple sections, labelled A through G (the exact sections present can vary by TEF version). They progress roughly from shorter, simpler texts at the beginning to longer, more complex texts at the end. Each section has a distinct text type and a specific reading task.

Section A: short authentic documents (signs, notices, messages). Task: locate one specific piece of information.
Section B: isolated gap sentences. Task: choose the correct missing word.
Section C: connected cloze text. Task: choose the correct word for each gap in a paragraph.
Section D: four short texts on the same theme. Task: match each question to the right text.
Section E: graph or chart with short comment sentences. Task: match the comment to the correct graph.
Section F: administrative or professional document. Task: answer comprehension questions about the document.
Section G: press article. Task: answer questions about main idea, details, and implied meaning.

Order of difficulty

Sections A to D are A1 to A2 level: short texts, mostly explicit information.
Sections E to F are B1 level: longer texts, formal or structured language.
Section G is B2 level: a press article requiring inference and understanding of argument.

Matching strategy to section

Reading every text completely from start to finish is the most common time management mistake in TEF reading. Different sections require different levels of engagement with the text.

Section A: pure scanning. Read the question, scan the document for the keyword, choose. No need to read the full text.
Section B: read the full sentence for each gap. Not the text before or after; there is no connected text.
Section C: two-pass reading. First pass for global meaning, second pass for each individual gap.
Section D: question-led scanning. Extract the key detail from each question, then scan all four texts for it.
Section E: question-led scanning with numbers and labels. Identify the quantitative or trend claim in the question and find it in the graph description.
Section F: structure-led navigation. Use the letter's layout (subject line, paragraphs, dates) to locate answers fast.
Section G: skim for main idea first, then read carefully only the paragraph relevant to each question.

Time allocation

The TEF reading paper is typically 60 minutes. The number of questions across all sections means you have roughly one to two minutes per question on average. The time pressure is real but manageable if you resist the urge to read every word.

1Before starting: spend 30 seconds scanning all section headings to see what is ahead.
2Sections A and B: aim for no more than 40 seconds per item. These are the fastest.
3Section C: allow about 3 minutes for the full cloze text.
4Section D: allow about 4 to 5 minutes for the set of four texts and their questions.
5Section E: allow about 3 to 4 minutes for the graph matching section.
6Section F: allow 5 to 7 minutes for the administrative document and its questions.
7Section G: allow 8 to 10 minutes for the press article section.
8Reserve 2 to 3 minutes at the end to check any skipped or uncertain answers.

Do not let Section G eat your time

Section G is at the end and feels hardest, so candidates often spend too long on it.
If you have spent 12 minutes on Section G and still have unanswered questions, move on and come back.
An unanswered question in Section A is just as costly as one in Section G.

Moving through the paper efficiently

On the day, the answer sheet or on-screen interface will show you which section you are on. Use that signal to switch strategies as you move from one section to the next.

Section transition in practice:

Section A, Question 3: "De quoi s'agit-il dans cette annonce?" puis Section B, Question 14: "Elle a ______ son rendez-vous médicale."
Section A Q3 asks about a notice: use scanning. Section B Q14 is a gap sentence: switch to sentence-level reading. These require different modes and you should shift consciously between them.

Mark any question you skip so you can return to it quickly.
If you finish a section early, move on rather than second-guessing correct answers.
In Section D, check all four texts before committing to an answer: the right one might be in the text you read last.

How to practise this

Paper navigation is a skill that only improves through timed full-paper practice. Doing individual section exercises helps with each skill, but you also need to practice the transitions and the pacing.

Practice routine

Complete at least two full mock reading papers under timed conditions before your exam.
After each mock paper, note which sections took longest and which you found easiest.
Adjust your time plan based on your results: if Section G consistently overruns, cap it at 10 minutes.
Practice switching between scanning and close reading in a single session to build the habit of changing modes.

Key takeaways

Each TEF reading section has a specific text type and requires a different strategy.
Short early sections (A, B, D) should be answered quickly using scanning and sentence-level reading.
Longer later sections (F, G) reward structured navigation over full reading from start to finish.
Allocate time by section before starting so you do not over-invest in one text type.
Full timed mock papers are essential preparation for managing the paper as a whole.