TL;DR
On the TCF, a speaking or writing task is marked « A1 non atteint » (below A1) if the word count is not respected, if the text is off topic, if the task is not done, if sentences are copied from the prompt or if the text was learned by heart. It is the lowest level, however good your French is.
What « A1 non atteint » means
Each writing and speaking task gets a level, from « A1 non atteint » to C2, given by two examiners who mark independently. For speaking, the first is the examiner, who records the interview; the second marks the recording without knowing the first mark. « A1 non atteint » is the lowest level. The candidate handbook lists the situations that lead to it, whatever your real level.
Since September 1, 2026, re-marking of writing and speaking has been suspended: a task marked this way can no longer be reviewed. These mistakes are therefore the ones to avoid at all costs.
The 5 cases, with an example for each
| Case | Example |
|---|---|
| 1. Word count not respected | On the TCF Canada, a Task 1 of 130 words when the limit is 120 words. |
| 2. Off topic | The instructions ask you to describe your neighbourhood; you describe your job. |
| 3. Task not done | You are asked for your opinion on a project, and you only tell the story of an outing, without giving any opinion. |
| 4. Sentences copied from the prompt | You copy the question from the prompt word for word as your first sentence, then other sentences from the instructions. |
| 5. Text learned by heart | You recite a prepared text on « les avantages de la ville » (the advantages of city life) that you could fit to any topic. |
How never to fall into it
- Read the instructions twice and sum them up in one sentence before writing: who is writing, to whom, and why?
- Tick off each thing you are asked to do (describe, explain, suggest…): one missing element can be enough to make the task incomplete.
- Use the ideas of the prompt in your own words, never its sentences.
- Prepare structures (introduction, linking words, conclusion), not whole texts.
- Check your word count at the end of each task, keeping a margin from the limits.
What you will see on your score report
On the TCF Canada and the TCF Québec, each speaking and writing mark out of 20 is shown as a CEFR level, from « niveau A1 non atteint » to C2.
Any problem during the test must be reported to the centre on the same day, as soon as the test ends.
What about speaking?
The same principles apply to speaking: answering beside the question or reciting a prepared speech carries the same risk. The examiner asks follow-up questions, and a recited text is easy to spot.
Preparing for a test in France? This article also exists in French.
Frequently asked questions
Is good French enough to avoid « A1 non atteint »?+−
Can I reuse a few words from the prompt?+−
Is a text that is too long really penalized?+−
Can I ask for re-marking?+−
What should I do if something goes wrong during the test?+−
What score would you get in writing?
Write a TCF task and get an estimated level based on the official criteria. With the 14-day free trial. How we check the correction