The Test d’Évaluation de Français pour le Canada (TEF Canada) is a test of general French which assesses the level of proficiency in French of francophones and non-francophones alike.

The TEF Canada is recognised as official proof of language proficiency by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) as well as the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés Culturelles du Québec (MICC) for permanent residency applications, certificat de sélection du Québec applications and Canadian citizenship applications.

Level of proficiency

The TEF Canada assesses the candidate’s proficiency in French using a 7 level scale based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) and the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).

Candidate profile

The TEF Canada is directed specifically at candidates wishing to assess their level of proficiency in French for immigration applications to Canada or Quebec, or for Canadian citizenship applications.
The TEF Canada is recognised as official proof of language proficiency by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés Culturelles du Québec (MICC).

Examination

Information for candidates:
The TEF Canada consists of 4 modules: listening, speaking, reading and/or writing. Learn more.

Written comprehension (reading): 60 minutes – 50 questions – 300 points

Oral comprehension (listening): 40 minutes – 60 questions – 360 points

Written expression (writing): 60 minutes – 2 topics – 450 points

Oral expression (speaking): 15 minutes – 2 topics – 450 points

Examination rules and regulations

Candidates must check in with the supervisor of the official TEF centre or the invigilator(s) with their notification of schedule and a picture ID with signature (valid passport / valid driver’s licence / national ID card).
After the identity check, the head of the official TEF centre or the invigilator(s) will take an identification picture of each candidate and direct them to their assigned seats.
Each table will be equipped with: a guide to the answer sheet on which will appear the candidate’s name, date of birth and candidate ID number; an answer sheet.
Draft or spare paper is not permitted.
During the entire multiple choice questions part of the test (approximately 1 hour 40 minutes), no exits will be permitted. During the entire written expression examination (1 hour), no exits will be permitted, unless in case of emergency or health issue previously informed by the candidate and justified with a medical certificate.
During the entirety of the exams, communication amongst candidates will not be permitted.
Candidates arriving late will not be allowed in the examination room once the examination has started.
In the event of fraud or misconduct by a candidate (disturbing the examination procedure, communication or attempt to communicate with other candidates or the outside…), candidates expose themselves to immediate removal from the examination room as well as a ban from taking the test for a period of time that will be determined by the CCI Paris Ile de France.

Results

An official certificate of results will be delivered to each candidate. Each certificate is detailed and personalised. For each module, the certificate will show the score obtained, the level of proficiency reached as well as a commentary of the skills in general French.
The results will be sent 4 to 6 weeks after the exam date by email and postal mail (TEF et eTEF), by email only (TEFAQ et eTEFAQ).

Academic degrees are not required to take the TEF Canada. Candidates may take the test several times, allowing a minimum of 60 days between two exam sessions.