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, November 15, 2024
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, November 5, 2024
Exam Date: Friday, January 31, 2025
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Exam Date: Friday, February 28, 2025
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, February 18, 2025
Exam Date: Friday, March 28, 2025
Registration Deadline: Monday, March 17, 2025
Exam Date: Friday, April 25, 2025
Registration Deadline: Monday, April 14, 2025
Exam Date: Friday, June 27, 2025
Registration Deadline: Monday, June 16, 2025
Exam Date: Friday, July 25, 2025
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 14, 2025
Exam Date: Friday, August 8, 2025
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 28, 2025
Exam Date: Friday, August 29, 2025
Registration Deadline: Monday, August 18, 2025
Exam Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
Registration Deadline: Monday, September 15, 2025
Exam Date: Friday, October 31, 2025
Registration Deadline: Monday, October 20, 2025
Exam Date: Friday, November 21, 2025
Registration Deadline: Monday, November 10, 2025
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 complete the online TEF Registration Form. If the online form does not work, please complete the paper registration form and return it to L’Alliance in person or by email. Once your form is received and you have made payment, you will receive a confirmation email. You will receive another email with your official notification including precise exam times 7 days before the exam.
L’Alliance New York
22 East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022
Email: languagecenter@lallianceny.org
Test Fees:
Full test with all 4 sections
$350 L’Alliance Member / $385 Non-Member
Test with 2 sections (for Citizenship)
$265 L’Alliance Member / $280 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). You may pay over the phone at 646-388-6691.
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.
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