TEF / TCF

TEF (Test d’Evaluation de Français)

It is created in 1998 by the Paris Ile-de-France CCI, the Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF) is an international benchmark test that measures your level of language proficiency of both native and non-native French speakers.

Why TEF Exam?

It is one of the requirements of economic immigration to Canada, as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. The TEF is recognized internationally by employers and universities in France, Canada, Francophone countries, and other parts of the globe. It is an added benefit for anyone who wants to study in France.

Components of TEF Exam:

TEF exam has 5 components to evaluate students on different segments. Here are all the components of the TEF test: 

  • Oral Comprehension (Listening): The Oral Comprehension (CO) test assesses your ability to understand spoken French from audio recordings.
  • Written Comprehension (Reading): The Written Comprehension (CE) exam evaluates your ability to read and comprehend written content.
  • Oral Expression (Speaking): The Oral Expression (EO) test examines your capacity to communicate with others orally. 
  • Written Expression (Writing): Written Expression (EE) is an exam that assesses your ability to communicate in written French. 
  • Vocabulary and Syntax: The Vocabulary and Syntax (LS) test evaluates your ability to correctly and appropriately use French vocabulary and grammatical structures. 

Exam Details:

The TEF Canada consists of 4 modules and Vocabulary & syntax

  • Written comprehension (CE): 60 minutes – 50 questions – 300 points
  • Oral comprehension (CO): 40 minutes – 60 questions – 360 points
  • Written expression (EE): 60 minutes – 2 topics – 450 points
  • Oral expression (EO): 15 minutes – 2 topics – 450 points
  • Vocabulary & syntax: 40 questions in 40 minutes

TEF Format:

The goal of TEF is to evaluate the French skills of the candidate using a scale of 7 levels.
A certificate of results, which is valid for two years, is issued an official certificate will be delivered to the candidate from 4 to 8 weeks after the test for the applicant and shows the scores on each section of the test.
A candidate may take the test as many times as he/she wants, however, a two-month waiting period is required between two successive tests.

The format and sections vary depending on the version of TEF:

TEF for Studies in France or in Canada or for Work (TEF) TEF for French Nationality / Residency Card (TEF IRN) TEF for Canada Immigration/Nationality (TEF Canada) TEF for Québec Immigration (TEFAQ)

Compulsory Section
Listening Comprehension;
Reading Comprehension;
Vocabulary & Structures;
Written Expression;

Compulsory Section
Reading Comprehension;
Listening Comprehension;
Written Expression;
Oral Expression

Compulsory Section for Canadian Immigration
Reading Comprehension;
Listening Comprehension;
Written Expression;
Oral Expression;

Compulsory Section
Listening Comprehension;
Oral Expression;

Compulsory Section for Canadian Nationality
Listening Comprehension;
Oral Expression;

Optional Section (main applicant)
Reading Comprehension;
Written Expression;

How to register:

Candidates must be at least 16 years of age. To register for TEF visit your nearby Alliance Française or check their website online. Exam is taken Offline and Online.

Duration:

B1 + B2 + TEF
3 Months
1h 30 minutes per class

Only TEF Preparation:
1 Month
1h 30 minutes per class

TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français)

TCF stands for Test de Connaissance du français and is designed to check the level of French proficiency amongst non-native speakers. The TCF exam is specially designed by FEI (French Education International) and is accredited by the French Ministry of Education.


The TCF levels correspond to the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for languages) levels.


It ranks candidates on a scale of A1, A2, B1, B2, C1 to C2. A1 is the easiest level to C2 is the highest level of proficiency. After passing TCF Canada each exam level, the candidates are awarded a certificate that can be used in recognized institutions for studying, working, visa applications, and immigration Quebec, Canada, and France. 

TCF Exam Format:

TCF is a multiple-choice test with 76 questions that students need to complete in 1 hour and 25 mins. The test covers compulsory sections like reading comprehension, command of grammatical structures, and listening comprehension. There are optional tests for written and oral expressions tests. 

TCF Canada Test: Compulsory Tests

The duration of the compulsory test is 1hr and 25 mins in total and here is the division of questions and time allocation for each section:

Tests Questions Time
Listening Comprehension
29 questions
25 mins
Command of lexical and grammatical structures
18 questions
15 mins
Reading Comprehension
29 questions
45 mins

TCF Canada Test: Optional Test

Optional tests are for written and oral expressions and the duration of each test is 1hr and 12 mins respectively:

Test Duration
Written Expression
1 hour
Oral Expression
12 mins

The Oral Expression Test is a one-to-one interview with an examiner while the Written Expression Test is an hour test that contains six exercises.

TCF Exam Scores:

TCF Exam Scores:
Elementary (A1)
100-199 points
Lower Intermediate (A2) 
200-299 points
Intermediate (B1) 
300-399 points
Upper-Intermediate (B2) 
400-499 points
Advanced (C1) 
500-599 points
Superior (C2) 
600-699 points

Other Specialized TCF exams:

Duration:

B1 + B2 + TEF :
3 Months
1h 30 minutes per class

Only TEF Preparation:
1 Month
1h 30 minutes per class

TEF vs TCF: Exam Pattern

Sections TEF TCF

Speaking
2 topics for 450 points
–

Listening 
60 questions for 360 points
29 questions in 25 minutes

Writing 
2 topics for possible 450 points
18 questions in 15 minutes

Reading
50 questions for 300 points
29 questions in 45 minutes

TCF Optional Test

TCF Optional Test

Speaking
Written Expression (1 hr)

Writing
Oral Expression (12 min)

TEF vs TCF: Application Process

TEF  TCF

Contact the centre with the help of the following link for more details about session dates, prices or for any related doubts about the sessions available near you.

Go to the official website for TCF, and after you click on your desired test centre, follow the information provided.
Check thoroughly examination date, time and the type of TCF (compulsory/optional).

TEF vs TCF: Validity 

TEF TCF
The validity of the TEF exam is 2 years starting from the date when you took the exam. Further, you can make a number of attempts with a 30 days gap between 2 attempts in any desired location. 
The validity period of the TCF exam is 2 years from the date of taking the exam. 

CONTACT FORM