Understanding the TEF & TCF Exams
Both the TEF Canada and TCF Canada are official French-language proficiency tests accepted for Canadian immigration applications. Fluence Française prepares you to achieve the NCLC level your application requires — with structured, live online coaching across all four tested skills.
Both exams test the same core skills
Whether you sit the TEF Canada or TCF Canada, Canadian authorities require you to complete all four sections on the same day. Each section assesses a distinct communication skill that is scored separately for your NCLC profile.
Oral Comprehension
Listening
Understand spoken French across a range of everyday and formal contexts.
Oral Expression
Speaking
Express yourself clearly on given topics in a timed, structured format.
Written Comprehension
Reading
Interpret written texts from practical to complex subject matter.
Written Expression
Writing
Produce clear, organised written responses on assigned topics.
Test d'Évaluation de Français
All tests must be completed on the same day for your certificate to be recognised by Canadian authorities. The TEF Canada is computer-based and assesses all four language skills with a mix of multiple-choice questions and structured production tasks.
Oral Comprehension
40 minutes
40 Multiple Choice Questions
Oral Expression
15 minutes
2 topics to cover
Written Comprehension
60 minutes
40 Multiple Choice Questions
Written Expression
60 minutes
2 topics to cover
Exam Cost
$390–$450
Depends on centre & additional materials
Validity
2 Years
From date of examination
Exam Mode
Computer
All sections are computer-based
TEF Canada — NCLC Scoring Chart
| NCLC Level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 546–699 | 546–699 | 546–699 | 546–699 |
| 9 | 503–545 | 512–557 | 503–545 | 518–555 |
| 8 | 462–502 | 472–511 | 462–502 | 494–517 |
| 7 | 434–461 | 428–471 | 434–461 | 456–493 |
| 6 | 393–433 | 379–427 | 393–433 | 422–455 |
| 5 | 352–392 | 330–378 | 352–392 | 387–421 |
| 4 | 306–351 | 268–329 | 306–351 | 328–386 |
NCLC 7 (highlighted) is the common minimum threshold for many Canadian immigration categories.
All four sections must be taken on the same day
Canadian immigration authorities only recognise your TEF Canada or TCF Canada certificate if listening, speaking, reading and writing were all completed in a single sitting. Preparation across every skill matters.
Prepare with usValid for 2 years
Results are accepted by IRCC for 2 years from the exam date.
Computer-based
Both TEF Canada and TCF Canada are taken on a computer at an authorised centre.
$390–$450
Costs vary by centre and any additional materials included.
Test de Connaissance du Français
TCF Canada has four mandatory sections: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. The exam comprises 78 items incorporating listening and reading comprehension — all multiple-choice questions where candidates must pick one correct answer from 4 options.
Listening Comprehension
35 minutes
39 Multiple Choice Questions
Written Expression
60 minutes
3 tasks
Reading Comprehension
60 minutes
39 Multiple Choice Questions
Oral Expression
12 minutes
3 tasks
Exam Cost
$390–$450
Depends on centre & additional materials
Validity
2 Years
From date of examination
Exam Mode
Computer
All sections are computer-based
TCF Canada — NCLC Scoring Chart
| NCLC Level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 549–699 | 16–20 |
| 9 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 523–548 | 14–15 |
| 8 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 503–522 | 12–13 |
| 7 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 458–502 | 10–11 |
| 6 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 398–457 | 7–9 |
| 5 | 375–405 | 6 | 369–397 | 6 |
| 4 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 331–368 | 4–5 |
NCLC 7 (highlighted) is the common minimum threshold for many Canadian immigration categories.
Live, structured coaching for every section
At Fluence Française, exam preparation is not a crash course. It is built on a solid language foundation from A1 to B2 — so when you reach exam-level training, every skill is ready to be refined.
Structured levels
We move you through A1, A2, B1 and B2 with real assessments at each stage — not just timed seat time.
Listening practice
Authentic audio texts and exam-style recordings used progressively from your first level onward.
Speaking simulations
Timed speaking tasks and guided oral expression practice that mirrors the TEF and TCF format.
Writing correction
Teacher-reviewed written tasks with structured feedback on grammar, coherence and register.
Reading strategies
Text-based comprehension exercises at increasing complexity to prepare you for exam-length passages.
Mock tests
Full timed practice under exam conditions, with result analysis against the NCLC scoring chart.
Ready to prepare for your TEF / TCF exam?
Join FluenceFrancaise and get expert guidance to achieve your target NCLC level.