Canada · French test

TEF Canada and TCF Canada

TEF Canada and TCF Canada are the two French tests IRCC accepts for Express Entry and citizenship. TEF Canada is run by CCI Paris Île-de-France, under its Le français des affaires brand. TCF Canada is run by France Éducation international. You only need one. Neither has a pass mark: your score in each skill is converted to an NCLC level, and your program sets the level you need. There’s a free practice test further down.

  • 4Skills tested for Express Entry: reading, listening, writing and speaking
  • NCLC 7In all four skills for the Federal Skilled Worker Program
  • NCLC 4In listening and speaking, for citizenship (ages 18 to 54)
  • 2 yearsHow long results count for Express Entry

Key facts

At a glance

Tests
TEF Canada or TCF Canada. IRCC accepts either one
Skills
Reading, listening, writing and speaking. TEF Canada also has a listening and speaking version for citizenship
Score
Converted to NCLC levels for each skill. No pass mark
IRCC needs
Express Entry: NCLC 7 in all four skills for skilled workers. Citizenship: NCLC 4 in listening and speaking
Fee
Set by each centre. CAD 390 to 460 for the full test at the centres we checked, as of October 2026
Results
Valid 2 years for Express Entry. Citizenship accepts expired results

How it works

Two accepted tests, four skills, and NCLC levels instead of a pass mark

  1. IRCC accepts two French tests: TEF Canada, run by CCI Paris Île-de-France (Le français des affaires), and TCF Canada, run by France Éducation international. You only need one.
  2. There’s no pass mark. Each skill gets a score, and IRCC converts it to a level on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC). The program you apply for sets the level you need.
  3. TEF Canada for immigration has four tests on the same day: reading (40 questions, 1 hour), listening (40 questions, 40 minutes), writing (2 tasks, 1 hour) and speaking (2 tasks, 15 minutes).
  4. For citizenship, TEF Canada also has a shorter version with just listening and speaking.
  5. TCF Canada has four required tests: listening (39 questions, 35 minutes), reading (39 questions, 60 minutes), writing (3 tasks, 60 minutes) and speaking (3 tasks, 12 minutes including 2 minutes to prepare). That’s 2 hours 47 minutes in all.
  6. Both are taken in person at an approved centre. In TEF Canada, reading, listening and writing are on a computer, and speaking is face to face with an examiner.
  7. Listening audio plays once. In TEF Canada you can’t go back to an earlier question.

Topics

What’s on the test

01

Reading everyday documents

Notices, ads, schedules and signs from daily life. Questions ask what will happen, what’s required, or which time or option fits.

Key points (4)
  • Words like “exigé”, “obligatoire” and “requis” mean required; “un atout” means a bonus.
  • Read the small print under a schedule: a rule like “ferme 15 minutes avant” changes the answer.
  • TEF Canada reading has 40 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour, on a computer at an approved centre.
  • TCF Canada reading has 39 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, each with 4 choices.
02

Understanding emails and messages

Short emails, texts and letters. Most questions ask why someone is writing or what they want.

Key points (4)
  • The reason for a message is usually a question or a request near the end.
  • “Au lieu de” means instead of; “maintenu” means still going ahead.
  • Wrong options often reuse a word from the text but change what it means.
  • In Canadian French, “le dîner” is lunch and “le souper” is dinner.
03

Reading articles and opinions

Longer press-style texts with facts, arguments and a writer’s point of view.

Key points (4)
  • What comes after “pourtant”, “mais” or “or” is usually the writer’s real point.
  • An option with “toujours”, “jamais” or “aucun” is often too strong for the text.
  • Answer from the text only, not from what you already know.
  • For Express Entry’s Federal Skilled Worker Program, you need NCLC 7 in all four skills, reading included.
04

Vocabulary in context

Everyday words for housing, travel and work, worked out from the sentence around them.

Key points (4)
  • “Grâce à” introduces a good cause; “à cause de” is neutral or negative.
  • “Être débordé” means having too much to do.
  • Read the whole sentence, including what comes after the gap, before choosing a word.
  • Neither TEF Canada nor TCF Canada has a separate grammar section: vocabulary and grammar count inside reading and writing.
05

Grammar and linking words

The structures that come up again and again in reading and writing: the subjunctive, relative pronouns, “si” sentences and connectors.

Key points (4)
  • “Il faut que” and “bien que” take the subjunctive; “même si” takes the indicative.
  • Use “dont” when the verb takes “de”: le livre dont j’ai besoin.
  • Si + imparfait goes with the conditional: si j’avais le temps, je suivrais un cours.
  • TEF Canada writing is 1 hour for two tasks, with minimums of 80 and 200 words.

Free practice test

Try 20 TEF and TCF-style reading and grammar questions

These are 20 questions in TEF Canada and TCF Canada reading styles: notices, emails, short articles, plus vocabulary and grammar in context. The French texts and answers are in French, and the explanations are in English. They’re our own questions, not official items. The real reading tests have 40 questions (TEF Canada) or 39 (TCF Canada), and neither has a pass mark, so we use 70% as a practice target: 14 right hits it. That’s a goal for practice, not a prediction of your NCLC level. After each answer you can ask the tutor to explain it another way, and anything you miss comes back at the end.

Question 1 of 20

AVIS AUX RÉSIDENTS En raison de travaux de réparation, l’eau chaude sera coupée le mardi 14 novembre, de 9 h à 15 h. Nous vous recommandons de prévoir vos besoins à l’avance. Les ascenseurs fonctionneront normalement. La gestion de l’immeuble Que se passera-t-il le 14 novembre ?

Sample of the test: same format, 20 questions.

Test day

What to bring on test day

  • Your convocation, the notice the centre sends once your registration is confirmed
  • Valid photo ID. For TEF Canada it must be the same ID you registered with and will use in your IRCC application
  • Nothing else on the desk: phones and smartwatches must be off, and dictionaries and notes aren’t allowed

Before you go

  1. Check the level your program needs on canada.ca before you book. Express Entry and citizenship ask for very different levels.
  2. Book early. Many Canadian centres sell out weeks ahead, and each centre sets its own dates and price.
  3. Read the centre’s rules on cancellations. Fees are usually non-refundable.
  4. Make sure the name and ID on your registration match your passport and your IRCC file.
  5. Do the free official sample tests so the question types and timing don’t surprise you.
  6. Arrive at the time on your convocation. Late arrivals aren’t let in once the test has started.
  7. Plan around results: allow a few weeks, and remember Express Entry needs results less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply.
CCI Paris Île-de-France: Trouver un centre agréé (TEF Canada)You register directly with an approved centre, which sets the price and dates. For TCF Canada, book with a centre approved by France Éducation international, such as a university language centre or an Alliance Française.

Study options

Where to study

Start with the free official sample tests: CCI Paris Île-de-France publishes TEF Canada samples for all four skills, and France Éducation international publishes TCF samples. If you’re a permanent resident, free government-funded French classes (CLIC) are worth a look too. Want more? We’ve compared the apps, websites and courses people use, with prices checked in October 2026.

OptionPriceFree to useLinks
Official and free
TEF Canada sample testsOfficial · PDF and audioFrom CCI Paris Île-de-France, which runs TEF Canada. There’s a PDF for reading, listening, writing and speaking, and a ZIP of the listening audio. This is the closest thing to the real test you can get for free.
FreeSamples for all four skills, with listening audio
TEF Canada training tutorialsOfficial · webShort click-through tutorials from CCI that show how each test works on screen. Good for getting used to the format before test day.
FreeAn interactive tutorial for each of the four tests
TCF sample testsOfficial · webFrom France Éducation international, which runs TCF Canada. Approved centres such as the Université de Sherbrooke and Memorial University send candidates here first. We couldn’t open France Éducation international’s site when we checked, so the link may need a second try.
FreeSample questions and tasks
TV5MONDE TCF practiceWebsiteTV5MONDE is a French-language public broadcaster. The Université de Sherbrooke lists its TCF section as practice for the required tests.
FreePractice for the TCF’s required tests
RFI Le français facileWebsiteRadio France Internationale’s learning site. The Université de Sherbrooke suggests it for TCF listening practice.
FreeListening practice
IRCC language requirementsOfficial · webNot a study tool, but the place to check the level you need. The Express Entry page has the TEF and TCF to NCLC charts. The citizenship page shows the NCLC 4 rule for listening and speaking.
FreeEverything
Video
TEF Canada preparation workshopsOfficial · YouTubeRecorded workshops from CCI Paris Île-de-France on reading, listening, writing and speaking. They explain what examiners look for, which helps most with writing and speaking.
FreeFour workshop videos, one per skill
Apps and websites
PrepMyTEFOnline courseMade by PrepMyFuture, which says it’s an official partner of CCI Paris Île-de-France. Three mock exams and more than 2,200 corrected exercises, covering TEF Canada and other TEF versions. It showed as sold out when we checked.
€99 once, for 12 months of accessNothing; there’s a 7-day refund if you’ve answered fewer than 100 questions
Réussir TCF CanadaWebsiteLarge banks of TCF Canada-style reading and listening practice (about 40 tests each) and a test simulator. Not connected with France Éducation international. Memorial University links to it.
Test access about $14 for 5 days to $49 for 2 months; coaching $99 to $199A free trial and free model answers for current speaking topics
TCF Canada Practice & TestsiPhone appRated 4.1 from 74 ratings on the Canadian App Store. AI scoring for speaking and writing. Some explanations in English are paid.
Free; Premium CA$12.99 a week, CA$24.99 a month or CA$69.99 for 3 monthsThousands of practice questions with model answers
TCF Exam HeroiPhone appRated 4.0 from 8 ratings on the Canadian App Store. Covers all four TCF Canada skills, with AI feedback on speaking and writing. Not connected with France Éducation international.
Free; CA$9.99 a week, CA$14.99 a month or CA$29.99 for 3 monthsFree to download; the listing doesn’t say which parts are free
TEF livre d’entraînement (Hachette FLE)BookThe training book CCI Paris Île-de-France links to on its preparation page. It covers the TEF in general, with practice for each skill.
Paid; price depends on the retailerNothing
In person
CLIC: free French classes for newcomersGovernment-funded classesCours de langue pour les immigrants au Canada, the French side of LINC. Free for permanent residents and protected persons. You need a language assessment first, through an organization that helps newcomers. These are general French classes, not test prep.
FreeEverything, if you’re eligible
Preparation courses at approved test centresClassesCCI Paris Île-de-France says some approved TEF centres run preparation courses, and many Alliances Françaises and university language centres offer TEF or TCF prep. Ask the centre where you plan to sit the test.
Set by each centreVaries

Prices and ratings checked October 2026.

FAQ

Common questions

What score is CLB 7 in TEF Canada and TCF Canada?

For French, IRCC uses NCLC, the French name for CLB. As of October 2026, NCLC 7 on TEF Canada is 310 in speaking and writing, 249 in listening and 207 in reading. On TCF Canada it’s 10 out of 20 in speaking and writing, 458 in listening and 453 in reading. For TEF Canada, IRCC uses the “Équivalence ancien score” on your results, not the score out of 699.

TEF or TCF: which one should I take?

IRCC treats them the same, so pick the one you can book soonest at a centre near you. They’re built a little differently. TEF Canada has 40 reading and 40 listening questions and two writing and two speaking tasks. TCF Canada has 39 reading and 39 listening questions and three writing and three speaking tasks. Try the free samples for both and see which format suits you.

How much does TEF Canada or TCF Canada cost?

Each centre sets its own price. As of October 2026, the full TEF Canada was CAD 390 at the Alliance Française centres in Edmonton and Calgary. TCF Canada was CAD 415 at the Université de Sherbrooke and CAD 460 at Memorial University. The shorter TEF listening and speaking test was CAD 195 in Edmonton and CAD 240 in Calgary. Fees are usually non-refundable.

How do I book TEF Canada or TCF Canada?

You book directly with an approved test centre, not with IRCC. For TEF Canada, find a centre through Le français des affaires. For TCF Canada, centres approved by France Éducation international include universities and Alliances Françaises. Book early: many Canadian centres sell out weeks ahead.

Can I take TEF Canada or TCF Canada online?

No. Both are taken in person at an approved centre. In TEF Canada, three parts are on a computer, but you still sit them at the centre, and speaking is face to face with an examiner. You can practise online, though, with the free official samples.

What French level do I need for Canadian citizenship?

If you’re 18 to 54, you need CLB or NCLC 4 in listening and speaking. Reading and writing don’t count. IRCC accepts TEF Canada at B1 or higher in listening and speaking, and TCF Canada at B1 or higher. TEF Canada has a cheaper version with just those two skills. IRCC says you can send results even if they’ve expired.

All 20 practice questions with answersA printable list of the practice test above
  1. AVIS AUX RÉSIDENTS En raison de travaux de réparation, l’eau chaude sera coupée le mardi 14 novembre, de 9 h à 15 h. Nous vous recommandons de prévoir vos besoins à l’avance. Les ascenseurs fonctionneront normalement. La gestion de l’immeuble Que se passera-t-il le 14 novembre ?

    Il n’y aura pas d’eau chaude pendant une partie de la journée. The notice says the hot water (“l’eau chaude”) will be cut off from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. That’s part of the day, not all of it. It also says the elevators will work normally.

  2. OFFRE D’EMPLOI - Commis de bureau (temps partiel) Cabinet comptable à Gatineau. 20 heures par semaine, du lundi au jeudi. Bilinguisme français-anglais exigé. Expérience avec un logiciel de comptabilité : un atout. Envoyez votre CV avant le 30 novembre à emplois@exemple.ca. Quelle condition est obligatoire pour ce poste ?

    Parler français et anglais “Exigé” means required, and it goes with “bilinguisme français-anglais”. So speaking French and English is the must-have. Accounting software experience is only “un atout”, a bonus.

  3. Bibliothèque municipale - Horaire d’hiver Lundi au vendredi : 10 h à 20 h Samedi : 10 h à 17 h Dimanche : fermé Le comptoir de prêt ferme 15 minutes avant la fermeture de la bibliothèque. Vous voulez emprunter un livre samedi. Quelle est l’heure limite ?

    16 h 45 On Saturday the library closes at 17 h (5 p.m.). The loan desk (“comptoir de prêt”) closes 15 minutes earlier, so the last time to borrow is 16 h 45 (4:45 p.m.).

  4. Société de transport - Information À compter du 2 janvier, la ligne 45 ne s’arrêtera plus à la station Sainte-Anne. Les usagers sont invités à utiliser la ligne 12, qui dessert cette station toutes les 10 minutes aux heures de pointe. Selon cet avis, que doivent faire les usagers qui vont à la station Sainte-Anne ?

    Prendre la ligne 12 Route 45 will stop serving Sainte-Anne station, and riders are told to use route 12 instead. “Dessert cette station” means it serves this station.

  5. Bonjour Madame Roy, Je vous écris au sujet de mon rendez-vous du jeudi 9 octobre à 14 h. Un imprévu au travail m’empêche de m’y présenter. Serait-il possible de le déplacer au vendredi matin ou à la semaine suivante ? Je suis disponible à toute heure. Merci de votre compréhension, Karim Haddad Pourquoi Karim écrit-il ?

    Pour changer la date de son rendez-vous Karim can’t come on Thursday because of something at work, and he asks “Serait-il possible de le déplacer…?”, meaning could it be moved. He wants a new date, not to cancel.

  6. Salut Julie, La réunion d’équipe de demain est maintenue, mais elle aura lieu dans la salle 204 au lieu de la salle habituelle. N’oublie pas d’apporter le rapport mensuel imprimé : le projecteur est en panne. Marc Qu’est-ce qui change pour la réunion ?

    Le lieu The meeting is “maintenue” (still on), but it will be in room 204 “au lieu de” (instead of) the usual room. So the place changes.

  7. Madame, Monsieur, J’ai acheté un aspirateur dans votre magasin le 3 mars. Depuis une semaine, il s’arrête après quelques minutes. Comme il est encore sous garantie, je souhaiterais qu’il soit réparé ou remplacé. Je ne demande pas de remboursement. Vous trouverez ci-joint une copie de ma facture. Sophie Lavoie Que demande Sophie ?

    La réparation ou le remplacement de l’appareil Sophie writes “je souhaiterais qu’il soit réparé ou remplacé”: she’d like the vacuum repaired or replaced. She even says she isn’t asking for a refund.

  8. Chers parents, La sortie scolaire au musée des sciences aura lieu le vendredi 17 mai. Les élèves doivent apporter un dîner froid et une bouteille d’eau. Le formulaire d’autorisation signé doit être remis à l’enseignant au plus tard le lundi 13 mai. Sans ce formulaire, l’enfant restera à l’école. La direction Que se passe-t-il si les parents ne remettent pas le formulaire à temps ?

    L’enfant ne pourra pas participer à la sortie. The last sentence says “Sans ce formulaire, l’enfant restera à l’école”: without the form, the child stays at school. So that child misses the trip.

  9. De plus en plus de villes canadiennes installent des pistes cyclables protégées. Selon leurs défenseurs, elles rendent le vélo plus sûr et encouragent les gens à laisser leur voiture à la maison. Certains commerçants craignent toutefois de perdre des places de stationnement, et donc des clients. Or, plusieurs études récentes montrent que les cyclistes, s’ils dépensent moins à chaque visite, reviennent plus souvent dans les commerces de leur quartier. Selon le texte, que montrent les études récentes ?

    Les cyclistes fréquentent plus souvent les commerces locaux. The studies show that cyclists “reviennent plus souvent”, come back more often, to local shops. The same sentence says they spend less each visit, which rules out the first option.

  10. Le télétravail a été présenté comme une solution miracle. Il est vrai qu’il fait gagner du temps de transport et qu’il offre plus de souplesse aux familles. Pourtant, à mon avis, on parle trop peu de ses effets sur les jeunes employés : sans contact quotidien avec des collègues plus expérimentés, ils apprennent moins vite et se sentent souvent isolés. Quelle est l’opinion de l’auteur ?

    Le télétravail a des avantages, mais il peut nuire aux jeunes employés. The author first admits real benefits (“Il est vrai que…”: saved travel time, flexibility). Then “Pourtant” (however) brings in the main point: young employees learn more slowly and feel isolated. That’s a balanced view with a warning.

  11. Au Canada, une grande partie du gaspillage alimentaire se produit à la maison. Pour le réduire, les spécialistes conseillent de planifier les repas de la semaine, de dresser une liste avant de faire l’épicerie et de bien comprendre la mention « meilleur avant » : un aliment dont la date « meilleur avant » est passée n’est pas forcément dangereux. D’après le texte, que signifie la mention « meilleur avant » ?

    Après cette date, l’aliment n’est pas forcément dangereux. The text says that once the “meilleur avant” (best before) date has passed, the food “n’est pas forcément dangereux”, isn’t necessarily unsafe. That’s why understanding the label helps reduce waste.

  12. Apprendre une deuxième langue à l’âge adulte est plus difficile qu’enfant, mais ce n’est pas impossible. Les chercheurs observent que les adultes progressent souvent plus vite au début, car ils savent organiser leur apprentissage. Ce qui compte le plus, selon eux, n’est pas l’âge, mais la régularité : vingt minutes par jour valent mieux que trois heures une fois par semaine. Quel est le message principal du texte ?

    Une pratique régulière compte plus que l’âge. The key sentence is “Ce qui compte le plus… n’est pas l’âge, mais la régularité”: what matters most isn’t age but regular practice. The example of 20 minutes a day backs it up.

  13. Le propriétaire a décidé d’augmenter le loyer de 3 % à partir du mois de juillet. Dans cette phrase, le mot « loyer » désigne :

    la somme payée chaque mois pour louer un logement “Le loyer” is rent: the money you pay, usually each month, to rent a home. The clue is “le propriétaire”, the landlord, who is the one raising it.

  14. Choisissez le mot qui complète la phrase : « Le vol a été ______ à cause de la tempête de neige ; les passagers partiront demain matin. »

    annulé “Annulé” means cancelled. A snowstorm is a reason to cancel a flight, and the passengers leaving tomorrow morning confirms it didn’t go today.

  15. « Elle a obtenu une promotion grâce à son travail acharné. » Dans cette phrase, l’expression « grâce à » indique :

    une cause positive “Grâce à” means “thanks to”. It introduces a cause with a good result: her hard work led to the promotion.

  16. « Je ne peux pas t’aider cette semaine, je suis complètement débordé au travail. » Que signifie « être débordé » dans cette phrase ?

    Avoir trop de travail “Être débordé” means having too much to do, being swamped. It explains why the person can’t help this week.

  17. Complétez la phrase : « Il faut que tu ______ ce formulaire avant vendredi. »

    remplisses “Il faut que” is always followed by the subjunctive. The subjunctive of “remplir” for “tu” is “remplisses”.

  18. Complétez la phrase : « Les documents ______ je vous ai parlé sont sur votre bureau. »

    dont The verb is “parler de” (to talk about). When the verb takes “de”, the relative pronoun is “dont”: les documents dont je vous ai parlé, the documents I told you about.

  19. Complétez la phrase : « Si j’avais plus de temps, je ______ un cours de français le soir. »

    suivrais “Si” + imperfect (“si j’avais”) is followed by the conditional. The conditional of “suivre” for “je” is “suivrais”: I would take an evening French course.

  20. Complétez la phrase : « ______ il pleuvait, nous sommes sortis faire une promenade. »

    Même s’ The rain and the walk go against each other, so the sentence needs a word meaning “even though”. “Même s’il pleuvait” is correct, and “même si” is followed by the indicative, so “pleuvait” works.