The writing test (expression écrite, or EE) has three tasks to complete in 60 minutes. Each task has a minimum and a maximum number of words, and each asks for a different kind of text. The test is marked out of 20.
The three tasks
| Task | Words | What you write |
|---|---|---|
| Task 1 | 60–120 | A message to one or more people: describe, recount or explain something |
| Task 2 | 120–150 | An article, letter or note for several readers: recount an experience or an event, with comments, opinions or arguments |
| Task 3 | 120–180 | A text comparing two points of view on a social issue, taken from two short documents, followed by your own position |
Task 3 has two parts: a summary of the two viewpoints (40 to 60 words), then your own opinion on the question (80 to 120 words). Keep them clearly separate.
Dividing the 60 minutes
The three tasks are not equal. Task 3 is the longest and the hardest, and it is the one that shows the higher levels, so protect its time.
| Task | Suggested time |
|---|---|
| Task 1 | About 10 minutes |
| Task 2 | About 20 minutes |
| Task 3 | About 30 minutes |
Leave two or three minutes at the end of each task to re-read. Agreement, verb endings and accents are the errors that are quickest to fix.
How it is marked
Your writing is assessed by trained examiners at France Éducation international, and each paper is marked twice. The result is a single score out of 20 and a CEFR level. Examiners look at three things:
- Language — range and accuracy of vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and how complex your sentences are.
- Organization — whether the text is coherent, the ideas are developed, and the parts are linked.
- Appropriateness — whether the text suits the situation: the right register, the right form for a message, a letter or an article.
| Target | Writing score |
|---|---|
| NCLC 5 | 6 |
| NCLC 7 | 10–11 |
| NCLC 9 | 14–15 |
| NCLC 10+ | 16–20 |
Mistakes that cost marks
- Ignoring the word limits. Writing too little, or far too much, counts against you. Know roughly what 60, 120 and 180 words look like in your own writing.
- Not doing what the task asks. If the task says to explain why, a description is not enough. Re-read the instructions after planning and before writing.
- Leaving a task unfinished. An incomplete or missing task limits your result more than a few language errors would.
- Copying from the documents in Task 3. Summarize the two viewpoints in your own words.
- Mixing the summary and your opinion in Task 3. Present the two viewpoints first, neutrally; give your position afterwards.
- Using the wrong register. A message to a friend and a letter to a manager do not sound the same.
How to prepare
- Learn a structure for each task. For example, Task 2: context, what happened, your reaction, conclusion. A plan you already know saves minutes in the exam.
- Prepare connectors and opinion phrases. D'abord, ensuite, en revanche, par conséquent, à mon avis, il me semble que — used accurately, they organize a text and show range.
- Write under exam conditions. Do all three tasks in 60 minutes, with a word count, at least once a week.
- Get feedback and rewrite. Correcting a text and writing it again does more for your accuracy than starting a new one.
- Read model texts on common themes. Work, education, the environment, technology and city life come up often; knowing the vocabulary lets you concentrate on the argument.
Frequently asked questions
How many words do I need to write in each task?
Task 1: 60 to 120 words. Task 2: 120 to 150 words. Task 3: 120 to 180 words, split into a 40–60 word summary of two viewpoints and 80–120 words giving your own position.
What writing score do I need for NCLC 7?
10 or 11 out of 20. NCLC 9 requires 14 or 15, and NCLC 10 and above requires 16 to 20.
Who marks the writing test?
Trained examiners at France Éducation international. Each paper is marked twice, and the result is a score out of 20.
How should I divide my time?
A common split is about 10 minutes for Task 1, 20 for Task 2 and 30 for Task 3, keeping a few minutes in each to re-read.
Official sources
Score tables and program rules on this page were checked against the official pages below. Immigration rules change — always confirm on the official site before you apply.