100+ Free SLE Reading Practice Questions
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Key Facts: SLE Reading Exam
60 questions
Supervised reading test has 60 MCQs, of which 50 count toward the score
Public Service Commission of Canada — Test of reading comprehension
10 pilot
Ten unscored pilot questions are mixed into the test
Public Service Commission of Canada — Test of reading comprehension
90 minutes
Maximum time to complete the reading test
Public Service Commission of Canada — Test of reading comprehension
Levels A/B/C
Results: A (18–27), B (28–37), C (38–44); X below A, E for 45–50
Public Service Commission of Canada — supervised reading test results
2 question types
Cloze (best word for a blank) and answering a question about the text
Public Service Commission of Canada — Test of reading comprehension
30 days
Waiting period before a candidate can retake the reading test
Public Service Commission of Canada — retest waiting period
Valid 5 years
Reading results are valid for 5 years; a limited April 1, 1993 grandfathering rule allows indefinite validity in the same position under conditions
Public Service Commission of Canada — validity of test results
No penalty
No penalty for wrong answers, so answer every question
Public Service Commission of Canada — test-taking advice
The SLE Test of Reading Comprehension is the Public Service Commission of Canada's standardized reading test for bilingual federal positions. It has 60 multiple-choice questions (50 scored and 10 unscored pilot questions) in up to 90 minutes, with two question types: choose the best word or group of words for a blank, and answer a question about a text. Results are level A (18–27), B (28–37), or C (38–44), with X below level A and exemption E for 45–50; there is no penalty for wrong answers and a 30-day retest wait applies. This 100-question bank provides original French second-language cloze and comprehension practice in public-service workplace contexts.
Sample SLE Reading Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your SLE Reading exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Choisissez le mot qui convient : « Veuillez ______ le formulaire et le retourner avant la date limite. »
2Choisissez la forme correcte : « Nous vous ______ de confirmer votre présence à la réunion. »
3Complétez : « Le bureau sera fermé ______ 25 décembre pour le congé des Fêtes. »
4Complétez : « La gestionnaire ______ envoyé le rapport à toute l'équipe hier. »
5Complétez : « Merci de ______ ce courriel à vos collègues concernés. »
6Complétez : « Les documents ______ sur le lecteur partagé sont accessibles à tous. »
7Complétez : « La réunion ______ à 9 h précises dans la salle 204. »
8Complétez : « Je vous écris ______ vous informer d'un changement d'horaire. »
9Complétez la formule : « Veuillez trouver ______ le document demandé. »
10Complétez : « Ce dossier est ______ important; traitez-le en priorité. »
About the SLE Reading Exam
The Second Language Evaluation (SLE) Test of Reading Comprehension is a standardized test used by the Public Service Commission of Canada to assess a candidate's ability to understand texts written in their second official language for bilingual positions in the federal public service. The supervised, in-person online test has 60 multiple-choice questions (50 scored and 10 unscored pilot questions) completed in up to 90 minutes. It uses two question types: choosing the best word or group of words for a blank, and answering a question about a text such as an email, note or memo, letter, information bulletin, report excerpt, or research paper. Results are level A (18–27), B (28–37), or C (38–44), with X below level A and exemption E for 45–50. A 30-day retest waiting period applies, and results are valid for 5 years.
Assessment
A single supervised, in-person online test of 60 multiple-choice questions (50 scored, 10 unscored pilot questions) with two question types: choosing the best word or group of words for a blank, and answering a question about a text. Texts can include emails, notes or memos, letters, information bulletins, excerpts from reports, and research papers.
Time Limit
Maximum of 90 minutes, plus 20 to 30 minutes for administrative procedures. The PSC notes that questions vary in length and complexity, with the opening questions shortest and simplest; there is no penalty for wrong answers, so candidates should answer every question.
Passing Score
No single pass mark. Results are levels A (score 18–27), B (28–37) or C (38–44); an X is given for 0–17 (below level A), and a score of 45–50 grants an exemption (E) from further reading testing. The required level depends on the position's linguistic profile.
Exam Fee
Candidates cannot pay to be tested. The requesting organization arranges the assessment through the Public Service Commission. (Public Service Commission of Canada, using the Candidate Assessment Tool)
SLE Reading Exam Content Outline
Cloze — best word or group of words for a blank
Selecting the word, expression, connector, verb form, or agreement that best completes a sentence taken from a workplace text.
Reading comprehension — questions about the text
Reading emails, memos, letters, bulletins, and report excerpts to find the main idea, specific details, and meaning, with inference at higher levels.
Vocabulary and expressions in context
Workplace vocabulary, administrative expressions, and false friends common in federal public-service documents.
Test format, levels, and scoring
Structure (60 questions, 50 scored), 90-minute timing, levels A/B/C, the X and E results, the 30-day retest rule, and five-year validity.
How to Pass the SLE Reading Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: No single pass mark. Results are levels A (score 18–27), B (28–37) or C (38–44); an X is given for 0–17 (below level A), and a score of 45–50 grants an exemption (E) from further reading testing. The required level depends on the position's linguistic profile.
- Assessment: A single supervised, in-person online test of 60 multiple-choice questions (50 scored, 10 unscored pilot questions) with two question types: choosing the best word or group of words for a blank, and answering a question about a text. Texts can include emails, notes or memos, letters, information bulletins, excerpts from reports, and research papers.
- Time limit: Maximum of 90 minutes, plus 20 to 30 minutes for administrative procedures. The PSC notes that questions vary in length and complexity, with the opening questions shortest and simplest; there is no penalty for wrong answers, so candidates should answer every question.
- Exam fee: Candidates cannot pay to be tested. The requesting organization arranges the assessment through the Public Service Commission.
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
SLE Reading Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the SLE reading comprehension test?
The supervised test has 60 multiple-choice questions, but only 50 count toward your score. The other 10 are unscored pilot questions mixed in and not identified, so you should answer them all.
How long is the SLE reading test and are there penalties for guessing?
You have a maximum of 90 minutes, plus about 20 to 30 minutes for administrative procedures. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so the Public Service Commission advises answering every question and guessing when unsure.
What are the two question types on the reading test?
There are two types: (1) choose the best word or group of words to insert in a blank, and (2) answer a question about the text. Texts include emails, notes/memos, letters, information bulletins, and excerpts from reports.
How are SLE reading results scored?
Results are reported as level A (score 18–27), B (28–37) or C (38–44). A score of 0–17 gives an X (below level A), and a score of 45–50 grants an exemption (E) from further reading testing. There is no single universal pass mark; the required level depends on the position.
How soon can I retake the test and how long are results valid?
There is a 30-day waiting period before retaking the reading test; retaking earlier invalidates the result and restarts the wait. Results are valid for 5 years. Results that were valid on April 1, 1993 can remain valid indefinitely if the person remains in the same position and its linguistic profile is not raised above their level.
Are these official Public Service Commission test questions?
No. Official SLE test content is copyrighted and protected and cannot be reproduced. These are original OpenExamPrep practice questions modelled on the publicly described format, question types, and workplace text styles.