TEF Canada
Created in 1998 by the French Language Centre of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France, the TEF Canada, or Test d’Évaluation de Français adapté au Canada is an international benchmark test that measures a person’s level of knowledge and skills in French.
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 Canada is a mandatory test in the context of economic immigration programs that require proof of language skills, at the request of Canadian Citizenship and Immigration to Canada.
The TEF Canada is also an essential proof of French language proficiency level to obtain Canadian citizenship.
For immigration to Canada, a candidate must take all of the 4 sections (2 hours 55 minutes):
- Reading Comprehension (60 minutes) – 50 questions – 300 points
- Listening Comprehension (40 minutes) – 60 questions – 360 points
- Written Expression (60 minutes) – 2 topics – 450 points
- Oral Expression (15 minutes per candidate) – 2 topics – 450 points
Results for the 4 skills listed above are expected by the Immigration Canada (CIC- Canadian Federal Government). The minimum level required is level 7 (level B2 of the Common European Framework for Languages).
For Canadian citizenship, a candidate must take the below 2 sections (55 minutes):
- Listening Comprehension (40 minutes) – 60 questions – 360 points
- Oral Expression (15 minutes per candidate) – 2 topics – 450 points
Please read this additional information:
- TEF Canada Information
- Conditions d’inscription et de passation du Test d’évaluation de français (pdf)
How TEF Canada is Scored
The test evaluates the French skills of the candidate using a scale of 7 levels that range from 0+ level (basic skills) to level 6 (complete control).
This scale corresponds to:
- 6 skill levels A1 to C2 of the Common European Framework for Languages (CEFR) of the Council of Europe
- 12 Canadian Language Benchmarks (NCLC – Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens).
| Correspondance Niveaux TEF/CECR/NCLC | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TEF | 0+ | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | ||||||
| CECR | A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 | |||||||
| NCLC | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
Additional information is available here.
The best way to get ready for this exam is to take L’Alliance New York’s French language classes. We also have a preparation book and CD available for sale at the Language Center Office.
Additional information is available here.
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 9am and 6pm to take this test.
Venue
L’Alliance New York
22 East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022
Please allow 5-6 weeks from the test date to receive your certificate. It will be mailed to you directly from Le Français des affaires, our partner. The certificate of results is valid for two years. A candidate may take the test as many times as he/she wants, however, a one-month waiting period is required between two successive tests.
Please register for your 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.
Test Fees:
Full test with all 4 sections
$350 L’Alliance Member / $399 Non-Member
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.
Not sure if the TEF IRN 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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