Training for the TCF IRN 2025
What is the TCF IRN ?
The TCF IRN, a variant of the TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français), is an official language certificate administered by France Éducation International (a public body under the supervision of the Ministry of National Education). This test is intended for non-French speakers over the age of 16 who wish to certify their French language skills in the context of a citizenship program. Holders of the TCF IRN can assert their certification during various administrative procedures in France:
- Application for a resident card;
- Application for a multi-year residence permit;
- Acquisition of French nationality;
- Validation of level A1 as part of the course at the French Office for Immigration and Integration (OFII).
It is also a reliable way to validate your French language skills, both spoken and written. This certification enjoys wide recognition: from the Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the Directorate for Integration and Access to Nationality, the Ministry of Culture, universities, language training centers, and the professional world.
Note that there are other variants of the test: TCF for the general public, TCF Canada, and TCF Quebec. Like the other versions of the TCF, the TCF IRN results certificate is valid for 2 years.
The TCF IRN tests
The TCF IRN, lasting a total of 1 hour 35 minutes, includes four compulsory tests assessing your general French skills.
Listening comprehension
You listen to sound clips from everyday situations (dialogues, radio broadcasts, etc.) and then answer multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with 4 options, only one of which is correct. The test contains 25 questions and lasts 20 minutes.
Reading comprehension
You read various text formats (articles, messages, menus, literary excerpts, etc.) and answer questions about their content. This section consists of 25 questions for 35 minutes.
Written expression
This 30-minute section is presented in the form of production exercises. It includes three tasks of progressive difficulty that examine your ability to describe, justify a point of view, argue, and structure your thinking.
- Brief description (people, place, object) responding to a message (30-60 words);
- Writing a narrative of daily activities to provide an experience report (40-90 words);
- Expression of an opinion about a place, object or person (40-90 words).
Oral expression
The test consists of a one-on-one interview with an examiner assessing your ability to express yourself clearly orally. It lasts 10 minutes and is divided into 3 segments:
- Guided interview (3 minutes);
- Interactive exercise (3.5 minutes);
- Expression of point of view (3.5 minutes).
Understanding the notation
Each TCF test is marked individually:
- The oral comprehension (CO) and written comprehension (CE) tests are marked from 100 to 699 points;
- The written expression (EE) and oral expression (EO) tests are marked out of 20.
At the end of the exam, you will receive an official certificate indicating your scores per test and the corresponding level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The TCF IRN levels range from A1 (beginner) to B2 (intermediate) according to the following scale:
|
CEFR level
|
TCF IRN score
(CO, CE)
|
TCF IRN score
(EE and EO)
|
|
A1
|
100 to 199 points
|
1
|
|
A2
|
200 to 299 points
|
2 to 5
|
|
B1
|
300 to 399 points
|
6 to 9
|
|
B2
|
400 to 499 points
|
10 to 13
|
The certificate includes a table indicating whether or not the overall levels A1, A2, B1 and B2 have been achieved. The note "level A1 not achieved" appears if the score is less than or equal to 99 points for the comprehension tests.
TCF IRN results are available within 15 working days.
Please note: you must demonstrate a certain level of French for certain administrative procedures in France. An overall level of B2 is required for naturalization, B1 for the residence permit, and A2 for the multi-year residence permit (from January 1, 2026).
How to train for the TCF IRN (Integration, Residence and Nationality) ?
As with any language certification, training for the TCF IRN requires several months of advance planning. The goal is twofold: to familiarize you with the test format and to strengthen your language skills.
Establish a revision schedule as soon as possible, including practice exercises to assimilate the structure of the tests and practice tests to simulate real exam conditions.
To improve your efficiency, you can use a specialized online training platform. PrepMyFuture, for example, offers a complete TCF IRN preparation program, including 40 course sheets, 3 practice tests, 1 TCF mini-test, and over 1,000 practice questions to help you get used to the exam format. In addition to the TCF IRN, discover TCF test preparation programs that cover:
How to register for the exam ?
Registration for the TCF, including the TCF IRN, is done directly with an approved examination center. The complete list of centers where you can take the TCF IRN in France and abroad is available on the France Éducation International website.
After contacting the nearest center, you will receive all the necessary information:
- The dates and locations of the next available sessions;
- The methods of taking the tests (on computer or on paper);
- Registration fees.
To finalize your registration, you will need to present a valid ID (to be kept for the day of the exam).
You can take the TCF as many times as necessary, respecting an interval of 30 days between each session.
Where to take the test ?
The TCF IRN can be taken at one of 700 accredited centers worldwide. In France, you can take the TCF at Alliance Française schools, Instituts Français, Greta schools, and many universities.
To identify the most accessible center, consult the official list on the France Éducation international website.
Why take the TCF IRN (Integration, Residence and Nationality) ?
The TCF (of which the TCF IRN is a part) is a benchmark language certification, widely recognized by French institutions. This official certificate is essential for validating your level of French during major administrative procedures in France: applying for a long-term resident card, naturalization procedures, acquiring French citizenship, or validating language requirements as part of the OFII program.
Beyond these administrative requirements, the TCF IRN represents a considerable asset in your professional career, significantly strengthening your application file with potential employers. On a personal level, this certification allows you to objectively assess your progress in French and set new learning goals adapted to your actual level.
Tips for passing the TCF IRN (Integration, Residence and Nationality)
The TCF IRN assesses your language skills according to the CEFR scale. Familiarizing yourself with the test format maximizes your chances of achieving a high level, thus enhancing the value of your certificate and facilitating the realization of your immigration or professional development projects.
When it comes to language learning, consistency is essential! Only daily practice of French will guarantee your progress. In addition to standard exercises and practice tests, your TCF IRN training must include a significant amount of time dedicated to perfecting each skill:
- Listen to podcasts regularly and watch films in French;
- Read the French-language press daily;
- Practice writing according to the formats required by the test;
- Increase your opportunities to converse with native speakers.
On the day, read the instructions carefully and manage your time effectively. For multiple-choice questions, when faced with an uncertain question, choose the most plausible answer and move on (no penalty is applied for errors). Stay confident: with targeted TCF IRN practice, you'll easily achieve your target score.
Also see our page: What level of French is required to obtain nationality ?
