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TCF Canada training

The TCF Canada is the version of the Test de Connaissance du Français dedicated to economic immigration and Canadian citizenship. Administered by France Éducation international, it certifies your level of French in writing and speaking.

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01

What is the TCF Canada?

The TCF Canada, a version of the Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF), is administered by France Éducation international (a public body under the Ministry of National Education). Available from the age of 16, it certifies your command of French for your economic immigration or Canadian citizenship procedures, and can also be used for a resident card or French nationality, immigration to Québec, or to practise a profession in a French-speaking environment.

TCF certificates are widely recognised: IRCC, Québec's Ministry of Immigration (MIFI), universities, language training centres and companies.

Your certificate is valid for 2 years after the issue of results.

03

The TCF Canada tests

This version has four compulsory tests: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, oral expression and written expression.

Listening comprehension
35 min · 39 questions (multiple choice)

You listen once to audio documents on everyday topics (conversations, radio programmes, etc.), then answer multiple-choice questions with 4 options, only one correct. Gradual difficulty.

Reading comprehension
60 min · 39 questions (multiple choice)

You read various documents (articles, messages, menus, literary extracts, etc.) and answer multiple-choice questions with 4 options, one correct. Progressive difficulty.

Oral expression
12 min · 3 tasks

A face-to-face interview with an examiner:

  • Task 1— guided interview (2 min)
  • Task 2— interactive task (3.5 min, 2 min of preparation)
  • Task 3— expressing a point of view (4.5 min)
Written expression
60 min · 3 tasks

Three writing tasks of increasing difficulty:

  • Task 1— descriptive, narrative and explanatory message (60-120 words)
  • Task 2— short text recounting an experience, with comments (120-150 words)
  • Task 3— text comparing two perspectives (120-180 words)
04

Understanding the scoring

Each test receives an individual grade: listening (CO) and reading (CE) comprehension are graded from 100 to 699 points, written (EE) and oral (EO) expression out of 20. The comprehension tests are marked automatically; the expression tests by two independent markers.

You obtain a certificate showing your scores and the CEFR level (A1 to C2), aligned with the Canadian Language Benchmarks (NCLC) used by IRCC:

TCF Canada scores, NCLC and CEFR levels
CO and CE score
EE and EO score
NCLC
CEFR level
100 to 1991NCLC 1 to 2A1
200 to 2992 to 5NCLC 3 to 4A2
300 to 3996 to 9NCLC 5 to 6B1
400 to 49910 to 13NCLC 7 to 8B2
500 to 59914 to 17NCLC 9 to 10C1
600 to 69918 to 20NCLC 11 to 12C2

The TCF has no minimum pass score: it places your level skill by skill. As a guide, an A2 level is required for a naturalisation application, and B1 for an economic immigration application to Canada.

If your score is 99 points or below, the note 'A1 not reached' appears on the certificate, available within 15 working days.

05

How to prepare for the TCF Canada?

Like any certification, the TCF Canada requires several months of advance preparation: getting familiar with the test format and consolidating your French in both writing and speaking. Build a revision calendar with targeted exercises and full simulations.

PrepMyFuture offers a complete preparation for the TCF Canada: 40 teaching sheets, 3 mock tests, 1 TCF mini-test, more than 1,000 exercises and their detailed corrections.

Beyond the TCF Canada, also discover our preparations for the general TCF, the TCF Québec and the TCF IRN.

06

How to register for the exam?

Registration is done directly with an approved exam centre. The full list of centres where you can take the TCF in France and internationally is available on the France Éducation international website. The centre will give you the schedule of sessions, the format (digital or paper) and the registration fees.

To finalise, present a valid ID document (the same document will be required on the day of the exam). You can retake the TCF Canada as many times as you wish, respecting a 30-day interval between two sessions.

07

Where can you take the test?

The TCF is available in more than 700 approved centres around the world. In France, the authorised organisations include the Alliances françaises, the Instituts français, the GRETA and many universities.

To locate the nearest centre, see the official list on the France Éducation international website.

08

Why take the TCF Canada?

The TCF is a major certification that officially attests to your level of French as part of an immigration project: a satisfactory level is a prerequisite for various procedures in Canada.

Beyond administrative requirements, it enhances your professional and personal profile: strengthening an application, increasing your chances in an immigration programme or validating your skills with employers.

It can also be used for a resident card, French nationality, or to practise a regulated profession in a French-speaking context. For procedures in France, the TCF IRN is the version dedicated to naturalisation and the resident card.

09

Tips to succeed in the TCF Canada

The TCF Canada places your level on the CEFR scale. A good command of the format increases your chances of reaching a high level. Consistency is essential: only regular practice of French guarantees your progress.

01

Immerse yourself in the language by listening to audio material (podcasts, films in French) for listening comprehension.

02

Regularly read French-language press articles on a variety of topics.

03

Practise writing texts that follow the exam instructions, and seize every chance to converse with native speakers.

04

On the day, read the instructions carefully and manage your time; if in doubt on a multiple-choice question, choose the most plausible answer (no penalty for a wrong answer).

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