The TEF exam (Test d'Évaluation de Français) is a standardised French language test that measures how well you read, listen, write and speak French. It is run by Le français des affaires, part of the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and it is one of the two French tests IRCC accepts for Canadian immigration. Indian students and professionals also take it for Quebec, for study plans and for French residence or nationality. This guide explains the TEF exam pattern, TEF syllabus, TEF score, TEF exam fee, registration and TEF preparation in plain language, so you can pick the right version and plan your test date.

What Is the TEF Exam?

TEF stands for Test d'Évaluation de Français, or French Assessment Test. It was created in 1998 and grades candidates on a scale that lines up with the six CEFR levels, from A1 for beginners to C2 for near-native users, and with the Canadian NCLC benchmarks. It is a modular test, which means you register for the version and the modules that match your goal, not for one fixed exam.

There is no pass or fail in the TEF exam. You get a score for each skill, and the authority you are applying to decides what number counts as enough. For Canada, that authority is IRCC, and it looks at each skill separately. A strong reading score cannot cover a weak speaking score, so balanced preparation matters more than being brilliant at one skill.

Which TEF Version Do You Need?

This is where many applicants lose money. The TEF exam comes in several versions, and booking the wrong one means sitting the test again. Check the requirement of the authority or institution first, then book the matching version.

The rest of this guide focuses on TEF Canada, since that is the version most Indian candidates book.

Who Needs to Take the TEF Exam?

Most people booking the TEF exam are planning a move to Canada. For Express Entry, French can work as your first official language or as a second official language that adds points to your profile. The minimum French levels below come from IRCC.

If you are still choosing a country, our Canada destination page explains study and immigration routes, and our course and university selection guide helps you match a French-speaking programme to your profile. Rules change often, so treat the table as a starting point and confirm the current requirement on the IRCC website before you book.

TEF Exam Pattern

Here is the TEF exam pattern for TEF Canada. For immigration, you take all four modules. Reading and listening are computer-based multiple choice, writing is typed, and speaking is a live conversation with an examiner.

Each correct multiple choice answer earns one point, and a wrong or blank answer earns zero, so there is no negative marking. Guessing is better than leaving a question empty. Writing and speaking are marked by trained assessors rather than by a machine.

TEF Syllabus: What Each Module Tests

The TEF syllabus is not a list of chapters. It tests how you use French in real situations, so the best TEF preparation is regular practice with real material. Here is what to expect in each module.

• Reading: you read everyday documents and press-style texts, then answer questions on meaning, details and the writer's intention. The difficulty rises as you move through the paper.
• Listening: the recordings include conversations, public announcements, street interviews, radio pieces and longer interviews. The audio usually plays once at natural speed, and the questions come from daily life.
• Written expression: in Section A you continue a short news story in a logical way. In Section B you state a point of view on a topic and defend it with reasons and examples.
• Oral expression: in Section A you ask an examiner questions to get details, usually about an advertisement or a service. In Section B you play a role and try to persuade the other person of your view.

Grammar and vocabulary are not tested as separate sections in TEF Canada. They show up inside every module, which is why weak verb tenses or a small vocabulary hurt your writing and speaking scores first.

How Is the TEF Score Calculated?

TEF Canada gives you a separate score for each skill. On the scale IRCC still uses, reading is out of 300, listening out of 360, and writing and speaking are each out of 450. IRCC converts every skill on its own into an NCLC level, and your lowest skill decides which programmes you can use.

In the Federal Skilled Worker grid, NCLC 7 earns 4 points per ability, NCLC 8 earns 5 and NCLC 9 or higher earns 6. If French is your second official language, meeting NCLC 5 in all four abilities adds 4 points. Your results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your profile and again when you submit your permanent residence application.

Results reach you as an electronic certificate. At one Alliance Française centre in India, candidates receive an email with a link to a digital safe within 10 to 15 business days, and no paper certificate is issued. Build that time into your plan.

TEF Exam Fee, Dates and Registration

The TEF exam fee for TEF Canada in India is commonly quoted at around ₹26,000 including GST for all four modules, and single modules cost less. Fees are set by each approved centre and can change, so confirm the exact amount with your centre before you pay. Sessions run through the year at approved centres, including Alliance Française branches, and one listed session is 27 November 2026 at Alliance Française Ahmedabad. Seats are limited, so book early.

1. Confirm the version you need. Check whether your programme asks for TEF Canada, TEFAQ, TEF IRN or another version, and which modules.
2. Find an approved centre. Use the official Le français des affaires centre finder and compare dates in your city or a nearby one.
3. Register with the centre. Many centres use a short form first and then email a payment link. The minimum age is 16.
4. Pay to confirm your seat. A seat is usually confirmed only after payment, and most centres do not refund fees, so double check the date.
5. Prepare your documents. Carry your original passport or the ID your centre asks for, and arrive early on test day.
6. Plan for the oral test. The speaking test is held the same day at a time fixed for each candidate, so keep the whole day free.

If you want help lining up your test date with your application timeline, our services team can map it out with you.

How to Prepare for the TEF Exam

The main question in TEF preparation is your starting level. To reach NCLC 7 you need roughly B2 French, and that takes time if you are starting from scratch. A learner already at B1 can often prepare in a few months with focused classes, while a beginner should plan for a much longer runway. These are rough guides, and everyone moves at a different pace.

• Reading: read French news, short articles and notices every day. Practise scanning for the answer instead of translating every word, because you have 60 minutes for 40 questions.
• Listening: use radio, podcasts and interviews at natural speed. Audio plays once in the real test, so practise noting numbers, dates and names on the first listen.
• Writing: practise Section A as a short story continuation and Section B as a structured argument. Aim for a clear opening, two or three reasons with examples, and a closing line. Keep an eye on the word minimums.
• Speaking: rehearse asking polite, specific questions for Section A and giving reasons for Section B. Record yourself and listen for hesitations, wrong tenses and repeated words.
• Timing: do at least two full timed mock tests before the real date, and review every mistake by type.

If you are building your French from the ground up, our French language course covers levels from beginner to advanced with a focus on exam skills, and our exam preparation page shows how we support test students with mock papers and feedback.

TEF vs TCF Canada vs DELF vs IELTS

Candidates often ask which French test is better. For Canadian immigration, IRCC accepts both TEF Canada and TCF Canada, and both convert to the same NCLC levels. The right choice comes down to format and comfort. DELF is a diploma, and IELTS is an English test, so they serve different needs.

A simple way to choose is to try one practice set of each and see which format feels natural. Some candidates prefer the two longer writing and speaking tasks in TEF, while others feel more comfortable with the three shorter tasks in TCF.

Common Mistakes in the TEF Exam

• Booking a TEF version that does not match the programme, then having to retake the test.
• Entering the scores out of 699 in the Express Entry profile instead of the "Équivalence ancien score" column.
• Working on only one strong skill, when IRCC checks all four separately.
• Skipping multiple choice questions, even though there is no negative marking.
• Ignoring the word minimums in the writing sections and running out of time on Section B.
• Waiting until the last month to book, then missing the results window or letting the 2-year validity run out before applying.

Frequently Asked Questions