Prêt·e

Votre guide TEF · TCF

French exam prep.
Prêt·e for what’s next.

Formats, timings, scoring, key topics, a dictionary and realistic practice — in one place, with links straight to the official sources.

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French-learning fox mascot

🦊 Salut ! Je m’appelle Fifi.

I’m a fox, I wear a beret, and I once walked into a “librairie” to borrow a book for free. They made me pay. (It’s a bookshop. Faux amis, quoi !) I’m here so you don’t make the same mistakes — I’ll help you crush the TEF and TCF, one croissant-sized step at a time. Allons-y ! 🥐

What is French all about?

French is spoken by over 320 million people across five continents and is an official language of Canada, France, Belgium, Switzerland and 25+ other countries. It is a Romance language derived from Latin, with gendered nouns (le/la), rich verb conjugations and precise pronunciation rules (liaisons, nasal vowels, silent letters).

Exams measure your level on the CEFR scale — A1, A2 (beginner), B1, B2 (independent), C1, C2 (proficient). For Canadian immigration, scores convert to NCLC levels; most Express Entry bonus points start at NCLC 7 (≈ B2) in all four skills.

TEF vs TCF at a glance

TEF CanadaTCF Canada
OrganiserLe français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France)France Éducation international
Used forCanadian immigration (IRCC), Québec, citizenshipCanadian immigration (IRCC), Québec, citizenship
Sections4 compulsory4 compulsory
Total time≈ 2h55≈ 2h47
ScoringPoints per skill, converted to CEFR & NCLCCO/CE: 0–699 · EE/EO: 0–20, converted to NCLC
Validity2 years2 years
Results≈ 4–6 weeks≈ 2–4 weeks

TEF Canada — section by section

Compréhension orale (Listening)

40 min · 40 multiple-choice questions

Announcements, radio clips, conversations, interviews. Audio is played once.

Compréhension écrite (Reading)

60 min · 40 multiple-choice questions

Ads, emails, notices, press articles, opinion texts — ordered from easy to hard.

Expression écrite (Writing)

60 min · 2 tasks

A: continue a news story (at least 80 words). B: defend a point of view (at least 200 words).

Expression orale (Speaking)

15 min · 2 tasks

A: phone call to get information (5 min). B: convince a friend about an offer/ad (10 min).

TCF Canada — section by section

Compréhension orale (Listening)

35 min · 39 multiple-choice questions

Everyday dialogues to abstract discussions, graded A1 → C2.

Compréhension écrite (Reading)

60 min · 39 multiple-choice questions

Short messages through to complex argumentative texts.

Expression écrite (Writing)

60 min · 3 tasks

1: short message (60–120 words). 2: article/blog (120–150). 3: compare two opinions (120–180).

Expression orale (Speaking)

≈12 min · 3 tasks

1: guided interview. 2: role-play where you ask questions. 3: give & defend your opinion.

How to take the exam — step by step

  1. 01

    Choose your test

    Check which test your goal accepts (IRCC accepts both TEF Canada and TCF Canada).

  2. 02

    Find a centre

    Book through an approved centre (Alliance Française, universities). Seats fill fast — book 1–3 months early.

  3. 03

    Pay & bring ID

    Fees vary by centre (≈ CAD 390–490). Bring your valid passport on exam day.

  4. 04

    Prepare 8–12 weeks

    Practise each skill under timed conditions; record yourself speaking.

  5. 05

    Exam day

    Arrive 30 min early. Listening is played once; no dictionaries allowed.

  6. 06

    Get results

    Your attestation is valid 2 years — upload it to your application.

Verified official links

Fees, dates and formats can change — confirm here before you book.

Le saviez-vous ? 🤓

Fun facts from Fifi

In France, 80 is “quatre-vingts” — literally four twenties. Math class, but make it romantic. Belgians and Swiss just say “nonante” for 90 and skip the drama!

Roughly a third of English words come from French. So congrats — you already speak a bit of French! 🎉

France has 12 time zones thanks to its overseas territories — more than any other country. Always bonjour o’clock somewhere!