TEF Exam
Created in 1998 by the French Language Centre of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France, the TEF, or Test d’Evaluation de Français is a set of international benchmarks that test a person’s level of knowledge and skills in French.
Officially recognized since 2004 by the French Ministry of National Education, the TEF exam evaluates the French-language skills in writing and speaking of any foreign student applying for undergraduate enrollment in France and in Canada. It can also be used to certify a person’s level of French proficiency for work and during employee recruitment, as well as for internship/training or study abroad programs.
The goal of TEF is to evaluate the French skills of the candidate using a scale of 7 levels that range from 0+ level (basic skills) to level 6 (complete control). The results for the exam are valid for two years. 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 TEF consists of 5 modular tests:
- Listening Comprehension: 40 min – 60 items
- Reading Comprehension: 60 min – 50 items
- Vocabulary & Structures: 30 min – 40 items
- Written Expression: 60 min – 2 topics to complete
- Oral Expression: 15 min – 2 topics to complete
According to the goals and the formalities you need to complete, you can choose to take any or all of the 5 tests listed above.
This test must be completed in a single session.
Please read this additional information:
PrepMyFuture
PrepMyFuture is an e-learning platform that offers autonomous exam preparation for the TEF exam. The PrepMyFuture TEF exam preparation is $39.
This program offers:
- Exam preparation covering all sections in the test
- Lessons available for each type of question
- Over 1,600 adaptive exercises
- Grammar and vocabulary reminders
- Adaptive learning for all concepts
- Mock exams to practice under exam conditions
- Platform access remains valid for one year
Exam Date: Friday, January 30, 2026
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Exam Date: Friday, February 27, 2026
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Exam Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 16, 2026
Exam Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
Registration Deadline: Monday, April 13, 2026
Exam Date: Friday, June 26, 2026
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 15, 2026
Exam Date: Friday, July 24, 2026
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 13, 2026
Exam Date: Friday, August 7, 2026
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 27, 2026
Exam Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
Registration Deadline: Monday, August 17, 2026
Exam Date: Friday, September 25, 2026
Registration Deadline: Monday, September 14, 2026
Exam Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
Registration Deadline: Monday, October 19, 2026
Exam Date: Friday, November 20, 2026
Registration Deadline: Monday, November 9, 2026
Please be available between 9 am-6 pm to take this test.
L’Alliance New York
22 East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022
The tests are evaluated on a scale with 7 levels, from level 0 (most basic competencies) to level 6 (complete fluency). This scale relates to the 6 levels (A1 to C2) of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and to the 12 levels of the Canadian Language Benchmarks.
Getting Your Certificate
You should receive your certificate by email 5 to 6 weeks after the test date. The certificate of results is valid for two years, and a candidate may take the test as often as he/she wants. However, a one-month waiting period is required between two successive tests.
| Section | Fees* |
|---|---|
| All Sections | $450 L’Alliance Member/$499 Non-Member |
| Listening Comprehension | $100 L’Alliance Member/$119 Non-Member |
| Reading Comprehension | $100 L’Alliance Member /$119 Non-Member |
| Vocabulary and Structure | $100 L’Alliance Member/ $119 Non-Member |
| Written Expression only | $100 L’Alliance Member/$119 Non-Member |
| Oral Expression only | $100 L’Alliance Member/$119 Non-Member |
* Fees must be paid in full at the time of registration and are non-refundable. Please note there is a $5 administrative fee in addition to the exam fee. Payment is made by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express).
You can register for all sections of a 2026 TEF exam online:
You will receive an automated receipt confirming your paid registration. You will receive another email with your official notification including precise exam times 7 days before the exam. If you wish to only register for certain sections, please contact languagecenter@lallianceny.org.
Fees must be paid in full at time of registration and are non-refundable.
Please note there is a $5 administrative fee in addition to the exam fee.
Payment is made by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express).
Exam session transfers are subject to a $50 fee and only permitted before the Registration Deadline of your original exam session. Any candidate who submits a transfer request after this Registration Deadline is subject to repay the full exam fee. Participation can only be transferred to the next session (without penalty) in the case of sickness, provided that a doctor’s note is mailed (not via email) within three days of the original Exam Date. If you have registered for an exam and need to transfer to another session, please email languagecenter@lallianceny.org.
L’Alliance New York reserves the right to cancel a session if the number of candidates does not exceed 10 candidates. All registrations will be moved to the next session. L’Alliance New York reserves the right to cancel a session for inclement weather. All registrations will be moved to the next session.
Not sure if the TEF Exam is the right one for you? Check out our comparison of the three TEF exams available at L’Alliance New York.
| 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) |
|---|---|---|
|
Take this exam in order to study in France or in Canada, or to certify your level of French for work |
Take this exam in order to obtain your French or Swiss citizenship, or French resident card |
Take this exam in order to immigrate to Canada or for Canadian citizenship |
|
Compulsory Section Listening Comprehension Reading Comprehension Vocabulary and 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 for Canadian Nationality Listening Comprehension Oral Expression |
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Preparation Tips
The best way to get ready for this exam is to take private French lessons at L’Alliance New York. View information here.
We also have a preparation book and CD available for sale at the Language Center Office.
Additional information is available here.