On the TCF Canada, graders evaluate your register before your grammar
You have been drilling subjunctive conjugations and past participle agreements for weeks. That helps. But it is not where most candidates lose their CLB in written expression. The number one factor in point loss: language register.
The invisible mistake
Using informal language in a formal email or a flat tone in an argumentative task drops your score by 1 to 2 CLB levels.
Graders assess context-appropriateness before grammatical accuracy.
Key points
- A formal email without a proper salutation or closing formula = CLB capped at 6, even with zero errors.
- Mixing tu and vous in the same task signals poor register control.
- The fix: practise with real prompts that correct register, not just grammar.
Why this mistake is so common
Prep materials focus on grammar and vocabulary. Candidates arrive with solid French but no register instinct. Result: they write a complaint letter like a text to a friend. Graders catch it instantly.
How to lock in the right reflex in 2 weeks
You need to practise with prompts that require a specific register and get feedback on that criterion. Our free written expression exercises analyse your register, structure, and formulas. Not just your spelling mistakes.
Ready to reach CLB 7?
Paris session on May 19. Three weeks to build the right register habits. One free test is enough to know where you stand.
Assess your level for free and practice in the official TCF Canada format.