Take the Test

The main objective of the Second Language Proficiency Test (TPLS) is to determine your level of proficiency in French. You will obtain a result from 1 to 10 corresponding to the levels of the Scale of Second Language Proficiency Levels. For more details, see the proficiency levels descriptions.

The test takes 60 to 90 minutes to complete. It is divided into two main sections: oral comprehension and written comprehension. The test cannot be stopped in the middle of a section. You may take a break after completing the questions on oral comprehension. Your answers will be automatically saved. To return to the questionnaire, go back to tpls.ca, click Continue Test, and enter your username and password. The test will resume at the beginning of the section on written comprehension.

 You can access the questionnaire from any computer connected to the Internet. The test is optimized for Internet Explorer (version 9.0 or later) and Firefox (version 8.0 or later). Make sure your browser version is adequate.

Read the Test Introduction Page

Read the first page of the test carefully. Also refer to other TPLS help topics as needed. You will not have access to them while you answer questions.

When you are ready, click the Continue button.

Answer the Questions

The test items are very varied; familiarize yourself in advance with the types of questions you will be asked. Before answering a question, always read the instructions at the top of the page and the answer choices provided. Some questions may seem more difficult than others; answer them as best you can, even if you are not quite sure of your choice.

Test questions are grouped into two categories: oral comprehension and written comprehension.

ORAL COMPREHENSION (Listening)listening

For each oral comprehension question, you will need to listen to a conversation, a news report or some other type of spoken message.

  • First read the question and answer choices.
  • Then click the Play button to listen to the audio file. Pay attention: you may only listen to it once.

 

WRITTEN COMPREHENSION (Reading)reading

Written comprehension questions all relate to a short text (a recipe, an invoice, a blog article, etc.).

Read this text and look at the images before answering the question.

 

TIMER

All questions are timed. You can see the timer near the question.

  •  If you answer a question before the end of the allotted time, click the Continue button to go to the next question.
  • If you do not respond in time, a new question will be automatically presented.

Answer all the questions, even if you are unsure of some of your answers.

Note: In the oral comprehension section, the timer only starts when the audio file has finished playing. In the written comprehension section, the timer starts as soon as the question is displayed.


Finish the Test

Your answers are analyzed as you progress through the test. A message will appear once you proficiency level has been determined; the test is then complete.