TEF

Created in 1998 by the Paris Ile-de-France CCI, the Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF) is an international benchmark test that measures your level of knowledge and skills in French.


TEF Canada

For immigration and citizenship application procedures, the Federal Government of Canada requests proof of the applicants’ linguistic knowledge of French.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has recognized the TEF for these purposes since 2002. The TEF format that applies to these procedures is TEF Canada.

You must take the following tests for a Canadian immigration application:

  • Oral comprehension: 40 min – 40 questions
  • Written comprehension: 60 min – 40 questions
  • Oral expression: 15 min – 2 topics to cover
  • Written expression: 60 min – 2 topics to cover

You must take the following examinations for a Canadian citizenship application:

  • Oral comprehension: 40 min – 60 questions
  • Oral expression: 15 min – 2 topics to cover

Please note! All tests must be completed on the same day for your certificate to be recognized by Canadian authorities.

TEF Intégration, Résidence, Nationalité

The TEF Intégration, Résidence, Nationalité is recognised by the French Ministry for the Interior and is indispensable for anyone applying to the French State for a resident card or a naturalisation.

It is designed to measure the level of oral/written comprehension and oral/written expression in French.

The TEF IRN consists of four mandatory examinations: Written comprehension, Oral comprehension, Written expression, Oral expression.

There are 4 compulsory parts:
WRITTEN COMPREHENSION
Computer-based
13 multiple choice questions (30 minutes).

ORAL COMPREHENSION   
Computer-based
17 multiple choice questions (10 minutes).

WRITTEN EXPRESSION   
Computer-based
2 topics to be covered in 30 minutes.

ORAL EXPRESSION   
Face to face with an examiner
2 topics to be covered in 5 minutes each, 10 minutes in total.

Total test duration: 1 hr20 mins

TEF Québec (TEFAQ)

In the framework of immigration procedures in Quebec, the Quebec Ministry for Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) requests proof of the applicants’ linguistic knowledge of French. For these procedures, it recognizes the TEF Québec (TEFAQ) examination.

The TEFAQ is also recognized by IRCC to apply for Canadian citizenship  citizenship (more information on this page).

The TEF Québec (TEFAQ) examination consists of four tests:

Oral comprehension: 40 min – 40 questions
Oral expression: 15 min – 2 topics
Written comprehension: 60 min – 40 questions
Written expression: 60 min – 2 topics

As principal applicant, your knowledge of French must be at minimum level 7 (advanced intermediate) of the Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétence en français des personnes immigrantes adultes (in French) or equivalent (level 2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) to obtain points.

Depending of the immigration program you are applying, your spouse’s oral knowledge of French may be assessed. In this case, his/her knowledge of French must be at minimum level 4.

TEF

The TEF is a modular test. Depending on your objective and the steps you take, you should register for the TEF version that includes the tests you need.

Reading comprehension: 60 min – 40 questions

Oral comprehension: 40 min – 40 questions
Written expression: 60 min – 2 subjects to be covered
Vocabulary and syntax: 30 min – 40 questions
Oral expression: 15 min – 2 subjects to be covered

Rates for 2024

TEF Général Rates

5 optional parts

RM315

TEFAQ

4 optional parts

RM315

TEF IRN

4 compulsory parts 

RM860

TEF Canada

4 compulsory parts

RM1070

Calendar of TEF Exam Sessions 2024

TESTS

EXAM DATES

REGISTRATION DEADLINES

TEF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TEF IRN

9 January 2024

15 December 2023

TEF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TEF IRN

5 February 2024 15 January 2024

TEF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TEF IRN

4 March 2024 12 February 2024

TEF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TEF IRN

13 May 2024

22 April 2024

TEF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TEF IRN

1 July 2024 10 June 2024

TEF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TEF IRN

9 September 2024 19 August 2024

TEF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TEF IRN

11 November 2024 22 October 2024

TEF, TEFAQ, TEF Canada, TEF IRN

2 December 2024 11 November 2024
Note:
Sessions out of the listed dates can be arranged upon request (subject to availability), for more information kindly contact our Exam Coordinator . 


A few simple steps to register to a TEF exam.

In order to proceed with your registration, we will need you to provide:

  1. Identify an available exam session from the table above.
  2. Fill in the e-application form below - a copy of your passport is required.
  3. The full payment is required to confirm your registration.

. REGISTER ONLINE REGISTER ONLINE

You can register in person, with all the necessary documents, in our Lorong Gurney centre. We recommend you to contact us first (03 2694 7880) to check that our office will be open when you come.  You can pay by cash, cheque and credit or debit card (kindly note that AMEX & DINERS are not accepted).

Get ready for the TEF exam


Use the tutorials to familiarise yourself with the oral comprehension and expression sections of the TEF (in French).


Familiarise yourself with the test format using the sample papers available in this section.


Register for training online in collaboration with PrepMyTEF.


Train yourself for the various Tests for Evaluating French (TEFs) using the Français 3.0 mobile application

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Got questions? Find it here.

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