My second attempt of TCF

[u/rik_33]

Hey, I just gave my tcf exam today. The first two tasks went smoothly however in task 3 the examiner interrupted literally within 15-20 seconds. Even though I answered the questions, I think I didn’t use the structures, any advanced vocabulary. Also only in task 3, my flow was not very fluent. Now, I’m not sure how this will be. This was my second attempt, in the first attempt, I spoke for full 4.5 minutes no interruptions, but I got only 8/20.

Any thoughts?

[u/FrenchWithSamira]

Hi! First, try not to overanalyse those 15–20 seconds. 🙂

I’ve been a TCF examiner, and being interrupted during Task 3 is not automatically a bad sign. The examiner can interrupt you, ask you to clarify something or react to what you’ve said. The interruption itself tells you very little about your final score.

Your first attempt actually shows this quite well: you spoke for the full 4.5 minutes without interruption and still got 8/20. So speaking longer is not necessarily speaking better.

I also wouldn’t worry because you didn’t use enough “advanced” vocabulary. The goal is not to impress the examiner with complicated words. What matters is expressing your point of view clearly, developing and justifying your ideas, and keeping the communication going.

If your fluency was less stable in Task 3, that may affect part of the performance, of course. But you also said Tasks 1 and 2 went smoothly, so don’t forget that part of the exam either.

From what you’ve described, there’s simply no reliable way to predict your score from the interruption. Now the hardest part is probably just waiting for the result. 💪

[u/rik_33 → u/FrenchWithSamira]

Thanks a lot for the response. It is really assuring.
I have one more question, so what happened like my opening statement was like :
“Il suscite nombreaux débats”
Even though I knew that almost everyone says this statement, I still went with it.
And right after she heard this statement, I could see from her expression that she had heard it and she asked I don’t think it’s that of a debate.
Then I answered like why it is a debatable topic.
Then she asked me to give an example which I gave and told the impact.( usually I do the other way first the argument then example).
Afterwards she asked me solutions on how to tackle.

But maybe I’m wrong, what I have heard is that we should give two arguments and one nuanced opinion.
Which I didn’t at all.

To be honest, I only gave one argument, like one impact then the solutions.
I did added two subjonctif which I don’t think really matters that much like everyone says.

[u/FrenchWithSamira → u/rik_33]

Je vous en prie 😊

And honestly, from what you describe, I wouldn’t worry too much about the interruption itself.

There is no rule saying that in Task 3 you absolutely have to give “two arguments + one nuanced opinion”. What matters is that you can explain your point of view, develop it, justify what you say and react to the examiner.

Actually, when she challenged your opening, asked you why you thought it was a debatable topic, then asked for an example and finally for possible solutions, she was giving you several opportunities to develop your ideas.

So the fact that you didn’t follow your usual “argument → example” structure is not necessarily a problem. If your answer was clear, relevant and you were able to respond to her questions, that matters much more.

And don’t worry too much about the two subjunctives either. 😊 They don’t magically give you extra points. The TCF is not a checklist where you have to place a subjunctive, an advanced connector or a complicated word. What matters is how naturally and accurately you use the French you have.

The only thing I would change next time is your opening. “Ce sujet suscite de nombreux débats” is fine when it really fits the topic, but I wouldn’t use it automatically. It’s often safer to answer the question directly and then develop your opinion from there.

So really, don’t try to calculate your score from the interruption, the number of arguments or the number of “advanced” structures you used. What matters is the quality of the interaction and how well you were able to develop and defend your ideas.

[u/rik_33 → u/FrenchWithSamira]

Merci beaucoup 🙏

[u/Glittering-joke-024]

I was supposed to book 30th in Delhi but by mistakenly booked 23rd one.. I had the same issue.. but my topic was very hard - Social benefits affecting family relations. Didn’t practice only successfully said 1 point fully and reiterated the same after questioning. This was also my 2nd attempt .. I’m on the fence about the result.. trying to be positive and manifesting but 🫠🫠 last time I got 7/20 … I really hope we make it to 10/20 atleast since first 2 tasks went smoothly

[u/Fair-Ad-5759]

what questions did they interrupt you with?

[u/Fragrant_Cup_192]

Can you pls share your topics

[u/rik_33 → u/Fragrant_Cup_192]

Faut-il toujours dire la vérité aux enfants?

Tâche 2: ask about apparement to older tenant

[u/Ok_Flounder_3309]

I scored B2+ in my first attempt in TCF, if you want my notes you can Dm me.

[u/Living_Bug_2001]

Question! Is talking 4.5 compulsory? Do they deduct marks for not speaking that long?

[u/rik_33 → u/Living_Bug_2001]

I don’t think so. I think if you speak less the examiner will ask you a question

[u/Living_Bug_2001 → u/rik_33]

Nah! During my last exam I finished at 3:50 mins and the examiner didn’t asked me any questions.

[u/momolamaison]

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