IRCC accepts TEF Canada and TCF Canada equally for Express Entry, PR and citizenship, and both convert to the same NCLC levels. Most of our students find TCF Canada slightly easier: its listening and reading questions start easy and get harder gradually, its writing section asks for three short pieces instead of two long ones, and its speaking test is 12 minutes instead of 15. TEF Canada is the better choice if you want more time per listening question, if a long written argument plays to your strengths, or if TEF has more open dates in your city. The target is the same on both: NCLC 7 in all four skills.
Both exams test the same French. What differs is the format, and for many candidates the format decides whether they reach NCLC 7 on exam day. This guide compares the TEF exam and the TCF exam section by section, covering format, difficulty, scores, cost and booking, so you can choose the test that suits you.
Every score, fee and rule on this page was checked against IRCC (canada.ca), France Éducation International and Le Français des affaires on August 18, 2026. Sources are listed at the bottom.
TEF vs TCF at a glance
The table below compares TEF Canada and TCF Canada side by side. Each row is covered in more detail later in the guide.
| TEF Canada | TCF Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | Le Français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France) | France Éducation International |
| Accepted by IRCC | Yes — all programs | Yes — all programs |
| Total testing time | ≈ 2 h 55 | 2 h 47 |
| Listening | 40 questions · 40 min | 39 questions · 35 min |
| Reading | 40 questions · 60 min | 39 questions · 60 min |
| Writing | 2 tasks · 60 min | 3 tasks · 60 min |
| Speaking | 2 tasks · 15 min | 3 tasks · 12 min |
| Scoring | Out of 699 | Out of 699 |
| Results | ~2 weeks | ~2–3 weeks |
| Validity for IRCC | 2 years | 2 years |
| Cost in Canada | ≈ $400+ | ≈ $400+ |
| Retake wait | After 20 days | After 20 days |
Format and durations confirmed against Le Français des affaires and France Éducation International (checked August 18, 2026).
TEF vs TCF – Why your choice matters
French is one of the largest sources of extra points left in Express Entry. NCLC 7 in all four skills is worth up to 50 additional CRS points and makes you eligible for French-language category draws, which have had far lower cut-offs than general draws.
- 25 CRS points for NCLC 7 in all four French abilities (IRCC’s CRS grid)
- 50 CRS points when you also hold CLB 5 or higher in English
- French category draws with much lower cut-offs than general draws
Both exams carry identical weight with IRCC, but dates book out weeks ahead and each sitting costs several hundred dollars, so choose the test that suits your strengths. Our guide to learning French for Canadian PR walks through the CRS math.
What’s the difference between TEF and TCF?
The difference between TEF and TCF comes down to who runs each test and how it is structured. Both are computer-based, taken in a single day at an approved centre, and converted to NCLC levels, which is the only number IRCC sees.
The TEF Canada exam
The Test d’évaluation de français (TEF Canada) is run by Le Français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France). All sections are taken in one day:
- Listening: 40 questions · 40 min (audio plays once, no going back)
- Reading: 40 questions · 60 min (navigate freely)
- Writing: 2 tasks · 60 min (an 80-word news continuation and a 200-word opinion piece)
- Speaking: 2 role-plays · 15 min, face-to-face
- Results: about 2 weeks
Our full TEF Canada guide covers every section, fee and booking window.
The TCF Canada exam
The Test de connaissance du français (TCF Canada) is run by France Éducation International, the French government’s international-education agency. Same four skills, shorter sections:
- Listening: 39 questions · 35 min
- Reading: 39 questions · 60 min
- Writing: 3 short tasks · 60 min (60–120, 120–150 and 120–180 words)
- Speaking: 3 tasks · 12 min, face-to-face (includes 2 min of prep time)
- Results: 2–3 weeks
There is no pass or fail; scores convert to NCLC levels. If you are taking the test in the GTA, our TCF Toronto guide covers the local details. For the national rules, the TCF Canada guide covers format, fees, booking and scores in one place.
TEF vs TCF: which exam is easier?
For most candidates, TCF Canada is the easier of the two, and it is the exam we recommend slightly more often. That said, the two tests compare differently in each skill, so the better choice depends on your own strengths.
Listening
TCF’s audio clips are shorter, and its questions are ordered from easiest to hardest, so a B2-level candidate can answer many questions correctly before the difficulty rises. TEF gives you slightly more time per question (40 minutes for 40 questions, versus 35 for 39) but uses longer scenarios. On both exams the audio plays once, with no replays. Practising under that condition is the most important part of listening preparation, and it is what first-time test-takers are most often unprepared for.
Reading
The two are close, with a slight advantage to TCF. Both allow about 60 minutes. TEF’s 40 questions use longer documents and require more inference, while TCF’s difficulty ramp lets you secure the easier points first. Careful, methodical readers tend to prefer TCF’s structure.
Writing
The difference here is format rather than difficulty. TEF requires two longer pieces, including a 200-word argued opinion. TCF requires three shorter ones. Candidates who struggle with long essays usually find TCF’s compact tasks more manageable; candidates who would rather develop one argument than switch topics under time pressure often prefer TEF. Both sections allow 60 minutes.
Speaking
TCF’s speaking test is 12 minutes across three predictable tasks, one of which includes preparation time. TEF’s is 15 minutes and relies more on conversational role-play, which favours candidates who are comfortable improvising. Both are face-to-face with an examiner, and both are recorded. Hesitant speakers usually find TCF easier; confident conversationalists often score higher on TEF.
Test length and fatigue
Total testing time is similar: about 2 h 55 for TEF Canada and 2 h 47 for TCF Canada. The difference is where each test places its most demanding work. TEF ends with its hardest task, the 200-word structured essay, after roughly 100 minutes of multiple choice. TCF’s three short writing tasks and 12-minute speaking test are less tiring by the end. If you know long exams wear you down, that alone is a reasonable reason to choose TCF.
The scores you need: official NCLC conversions
The tables below are IRCC’s official equivalency charts. NCLC 7 in all four skills is the threshold for maximum Express Entry French points. The full charts, including the NCLC 8 band, are on canada.ca.
TEF Canada Scoring Scale
| NCLC | Reading (/300) | Writing (/450) | Listening (/360) | Speaking (/450) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 263–300 | 393–450 | 316–360 | 393–450 |
| 9 | 248–262 | 371–392 | 298–315 | 371–392 |
| 7 (PR target) | 207–232 | 310–348 | 249–279 | 310–348 |
| 5 | 151–180 | 226–270 | 181–216 | 226–270 |
TCF Canada Scoring Scale
| NCLC | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 549–699 | 16–20 | 549–699 | 16–20 |
| 9 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 523–548 | 14–15 |
| 7 (PR target) | 453–498 | 10–11 | 458–502 | 10–11 |
| 5 | 375–405 | 6 | 369–397 | 6 |
Source: IRCC — Express Entry language test results (canada.ca, checked August 18, 2026).
One detail worth noting: on TCF, NCLC 7 in writing and speaking corresponds to 10 out of 20, a score examiners describe as solid B2 communication with errors that do not block understanding. Many students find that a clearer target than 310 or more out of 450 on TEF’s writing and speaking scales.
Not sure which exam fits you?
Every new Toronto French Academy student starts with a diagnostic: we test you against both formats and recommend the exam that fits your results. Group classes from $249/month, private tutoring, and a curriculum built around exam day.
Book a demo classView SyllabusTEF or TCF for Canada PR, citizenship, and Quebec
For Express Entry and PR, the two exams are accepted equally and earn identical points. NCLC 7 in all four skills earns the maximum French CRS points and French-draw eligibility; NCLC 5 is the minimum for claiming any French points as a second language.
Citizenship: both tests are accepted, and the requirement is much lower: NCLC 4 or higher in speaking and listening only, for applicants aged 18–54.
Quebec: Quebec programs (PSTQ, PEQ) also accept TEF and TCF results, graded on Quebec’s own scale (Échelle québécoise). Note that the “Canada” and “Québec” versions of each test are not interchangeable for every program, so confirm which version your program requires before you book.
Cost, booking, and results
Neither exam has a national fee; each approved centre sets its own price. GTA centres typically charge $400 or more per sitting (from about $300 in some cities), and retakes cost the full fee again.
- Booking: GTA sessions fill 4–8 weeks ahead, and Alliance Française opens TEF registration quarterly. See our TEF Canada booking walkthrough.
- Results: TEF in about 2 weeks; TCF in about 2–3 weeks.
- Validity: 2 years, and your scores must still be valid on the day you submit your PR application.
- Retakes: after 20 days (the official TCF rule; TEF centres set their own, and Alliance Française Toronto also states 20 days). You can switch exams and submit the stronger result, but you cannot mix skills from two tests in one application.
Since IRCC treats the tests identically, an earlier available date is a perfectly good reason to pick one exam over the other. If your Express Entry timeline is tight, check both calendars first.
TEF vs TCF: how to decide
Book TCF Canada if…
- Long tasks tire you out; TCF’s sections are shorter
- You prefer several short writing tasks over one long essay
- You want to bank easy points before the questions get harder
- A 10/20 target in writing and speaking feels more reachable
Book TEF Canada if…
- You want more time per listening question
- A 200-word structured opinion piece is your strength
- You improvise well in conversational role-plays
- TEF dates are more available where you live
Still undecided? Take a full timed practice test of each and compare your results against the NCLC 7 bands above. Whichever test brings you closer is the one to book. We run this diagnostic with every new student, and it usually settles the question quickly.
Sample questions from each exam
Format tables only tell part of the story. Below are six typical task shapes, three from each exam. If one format reads as more comfortable to you, that is worth taking seriously when you choose.
A 30-second workplace voicemail plays once. “Pourquoi Madame Tremblay appelle-t-elle ?” Four answer options, no replay, and the next question starts on schedule.
A two-line café dialogue. “Que veut le client ?” The early questions are this simple; by question 30 you are working with rapid, native-speed radio excerpts.
“Certains pensent que le télétravail devrait devenir la norme. Qu’en pensez-vous ?” A structured argument of 200+ words, in about 35 minutes.
“Vous avez participé à un événement culturel. Racontez votre expérience à un ami.” 120–150 words, in about 20 minutes.
You must convince your “colleague” (the examiner) to join a carpooling program, and respond to unscripted follow-up questions.
“Faut-il interdire les téléphones à l’école ?” You present and defend a position for about four and a half minutes.
How long does it take to prepare?
Starting from a solid B1, most learners need 3–6 months of structured preparation to reach NCLC 7 reliably. Starting from zero, plan for 10–14 months. Speaking and writing are where candidates most often fall one NCLC level short, and where targeted feedback improves scores fastest.
The four skills rarely progress at the same rate, and grammar drills alone will not raise a speaking score; regular corrected practice will. Our TEF Canada preparation guide covers section-by-section tactics, and the B2 + TEF professional classes are built specifically for this exam.
Toronto French Academy’s TEF and TCF prep programs have taken hundreds of students from B1 to NCLC 7. Every new student starts with a diagnostic, after which we recommend which exam to book based on your results. Book a demo class to start with that diagnostic.
TEF vs TCF: frequently asked questions
Is TCF easier than TEF?
For most candidates, slightly. TCF Canada’s sections are shorter (2 h 47 total versus about 2 h 55), its tasks are more compact, and question difficulty increases gradually. Strong writers and confident speakers often score higher on TEF. Both convert to the same NCLC levels for IRCC.
Can I use TCF for PR in Canada?
Yes. TCF Canada is fully accepted by IRCC for Express Entry, PNP, and all PR programs, with identical weight to TEF Canada.
Which is easier for speaking — TEF or TCF Canada?
TCF’s speaking test is shorter (12 vs 15 minutes) and more predictable: three set tasks, one with prep time. TEF’s leans on interactive role-play. Hesitant speakers usually do better on TCF; natural conversationalists often prefer TEF.
What is CLB 7 in TEF or TCF?
On TEF Canada, using the “old score equivalence” scale IRCC works from: reading 207–232, writing 310–348, listening 249–279, speaking 310–348. On TCF Canada: reading 453–498, listening 458–502, and 10–11 out of 20 in both writing and speaking.
Do TEF and TCF give the same immigration points?
Yes. IRCC converts both to NCLC levels, and an NCLC 7 from TCF is worth exactly the same CRS points as an NCLC 7 from TEF.
How long are TEF and TCF results valid?
Two years from the results date. They must still be valid on the day you submit your application.
Can I take both exams?
Yes, and some candidates do. You submit whichever valid result is better, but you cannot combine sections from two different tests.
How much do TEF and TCF cost in Canada?
Fees are set by each test centre. GTA centres typically charge $400 or more per sitting, while some centres elsewhere publish fees from about $300. Confirm the exact current fee with your local centre before booking.
How fast do results come?
TEF Canada in about 2 weeks; TCF Canada within 15 working days (about 2–3 weeks). This is worth factoring into your Express Entry timing.
Can I retake TEF or TCF if I miss NCLC 7?
Yes. TCF’s official waiting period between attempts is 20 days, and TEF centres apply their own waiting periods (Alliance Française Toronto states 20 days). In our experience, most near-misses reach NCLC 7 on the second attempt once preparation focuses on the skill that fell short.
Is TEF or TCF accepted for Canadian citizenship?
Both. Citizenship requires only NCLC 4 or higher in speaking and listening for applicants aged 18–54, which is well below PR thresholds, so any valid result at that level works.
Which test should I take for Quebec immigration?
Quebec accepts both TEF and TCF under its own scale, but accepted test versions (Canada vs Québec variants) differ by program. Confirm your program’s requirement before booking.
Is TEF or TCF available online from home?
No. For immigration purposes, both must be taken in person at an approved test centre.
What level of French is NCLC 7?
Roughly a strong B2: you can argue a point, handle workplace conversations, and write structured text whose errors don’t impede understanding.
Which test has more dates available?
It varies by city and month. In the GTA both run regularly but fill 4–8 weeks ahead. Check both calendars; since IRCC treats the two tests identically, availability is a reasonable way to decide.
Choose your exam, then prepare for it
Toronto French Academy prepares students for both TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Start with a diagnostic class and get a clear recommendation on which exam to book.
Book a demo class- IRCC — Express Entry: language test results (canada.ca): accepted tests, validity rules, TEF and TCF NCLC equivalency charts, score-entry instructions.
- IRCC — Comprehensive Ranking System criteria (canada.ca): additional points for French (25/50).
- Le Français des affaires — TEF Canada: exam structure, durations, results timeline, and the old-score-equivalence instruction for IRCC profiles.
- France Éducation International — TCF Canada: official section formats and durations (2 h 47 total), 20-day retake rule, results within 15 working days, 2-year validity.
- Alliance Française — exams: GTA centres, session cadence, registration windows.
Exam fees and retake policies vary by centre, so verify with your test centre before booking.
