Sections
Quick answer
Why are TEF Reading Sections F and G hard?
Our TEF reading practice gives Section F 10 administrative or professional document items and Section G 8 press article items. Together, those 18 items sit inside a 40-question, 60-minute reading test, so pacing and text mapping matter.
TEF Canada Reading Sections F and G are the long-text pressure zone in our practice set. Learn timing, skimming, and mistake patterns.
Use the examples below as a practical drill sheet: read the format, copy the structure into one timed attempt, then check whether your answer actually matches the task before you worry about advanced vocabulary.
TCF TEF Prep is independent and is not affiliated with IRCC, Le francais des affaires, CCI Paris Ile-de-France, or France Education international. Use this guide for exam-style preparation, then verify final booking and immigration rules on the official sources linked below.
Key Takeaways
- Sections F and G account for 18 TEF reading practice items.
- Section F favors administrative and professional document logic.
- Section G favors article structure, tone, and argument flow.
- Skim for structure first, then read answer zones closely.
What are TEF Reading Sections F and G?
In our TEF Canada reading practice, Section F contains 10 items on administrative and professional documents, while Section G contains 8 items on press articles. That is 18 of 40 reading questions, so these sections strongly affect pacing.
Section F often rewards locating rules, conditions, exceptions, and procedural details. Section G often rewards understanding article organization, argument, and implied meaning.
Treat them differently. A policy notice and an opinion article do not need the same reading path.
| Section | Practice focus | Best first move |
|---|---|---|
| F | Administrative and professional documents | Scan headings, dates, conditions |
| G | Press articles | Identify thesis, speaker, and paragraph roles |
How should you handle Section F documents?
Section F has 10 practice items, so a 60-minute reading section cannot support slow line-by-line reading from the start. Scan the document structure first, then read only the zones linked to the question stem.
For administrative texts, mark conditions and exceptions. Words such as "sauf", "obligatoire", "avant", "apres", "seulement", and "a condition que" often decide the answer.
If the question asks who can do something, scan for eligibility. If it asks when, scan dates and deadlines. If it asks why, scan reason clauses.
- Read title and headings first.
- Circle condition words and exceptions.
- Match each question to a text zone.
- Avoid rereading the full document after every question.
How should you handle Section G articles?
Section G has 8 practice items and focuses on press articles. Article questions often test main idea, tone, logic, or the role of an example. Read the first and last sentences of each paragraph before hunting details.
The first pass should produce a map: topic, problem, examples, conclusion. Then the questions tell you which paragraph to read closely.
For tone questions, do not rely on one adjective. Look at the whole paragraph role. A critical article may still mention one positive detail.
Unique insight: Candidates often treat Section G like vocabulary matching. It works better as argument mapping: what is the author trying to prove, and how does each paragraph help?
How much time should you spend on Sections F and G?
With 40 reading practice questions in 60 minutes, the average pace is 1.5 minutes per question. Sections F and G are longer, so save time earlier and use a strict return rule for any question that stalls.
Aim to enter Section F with enough time to read carefully but not perfectly. If one question takes more than 2 minutes, mark the best answer and return only if time remains.
Practice should include time pressure. Untimed reading builds comprehension, but it can hide the pacing problem that usually appears on test day.
Use TEF Canada reading practice for timed long-text drills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which TEF reading sections are hardest?
For many candidates, Sections F and G feel hardest because they combine longer documents with detail, condition, tone, and argument questions.
Should I skim before reading TEF long texts?
Yes. Skim title, headings, paragraph starts, and question stems first. Then read the relevant zone closely instead of rereading the full text repeatedly.
How much time should I spend on Section F?
Use the 60-minute, 40-question pace as your guardrail. Section F deserves careful reading, but any one stalled item should be marked and revisited later.
What should you do next?
Choose one task, complete it under the time limit, and review the feedback against the format rule you just learned. Then use the linked owner page to repeat the same skill with fresh prompts, timed practice, and score-focused review.
Sources checked on 2026-05-15
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