TEF Canada 2025 Test Training

What is TEF Canada ?

The TEF Canada is one of five versions of the TEF, a leading language certification issued by the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The TEF is one of the most internationally renowned French language tests, assessing the written and spoken French proficiency of non-French speakers (learn more about preparing for the TEF test ).

Recognized by the IRCC since 2002, this test is an official assessment required for anyone wishing to immigrate to Canada or apply for Canadian nationality.

Accessible to anyone over 16 years old, regardless of country of origin or mother tongue, this version of the test allows you to certify your overall mastery of French, both written and spoken.

The certificate of results is valid for two years from the date of issue of the certificate.

The TEF Canada tests

The number of assessment tests differs depending on the steps you take (the format of the individual parts is however the same):

• For an immigration application: 4 are mandatory including written and oral comprehension, written and oral expression.
• For a citizenship application: 2 are mandatory including oral comprehension and oral expression.

All parts must be completed on the same day for the certificate to be recognized.

Reading comprehension

The "reading comprehension" section aims to assess your ability to read and understand written documents from everyday, professional, or academic situations. It is presented in the form of a multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ) with four answer options, only one of which is correct. You must answer 40 questions in one hour.

Listening comprehension

The "listening comprehension" section is based on audio documents. It measures your ability to understand spoken French in a variety of contexts. This test is divided into four sections; it is presented in the form of a multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ) with four answer options, only one of which is correct. You must answer 40 questions in 40 minutes.

Written expression

The written expression section assesses your ability to write in French and is divided into two parts:

• During section A, which lasts 25 minutes, you must write the continuation of a press article (minimum 80 words).
• During section B, which lasts 35 minutes, you must express your point of view and justify it (minimum 200 words).

Oral expression

The oral expression test assesses your ability to interact orally with your examiner. It consists of two parts:

• The first (section A) lasts 5 minutes and invites you to obtain information on a subject of everyday life.
• The second (section B) lasts 10 minutes and invites you to argue and convince on a given subject.

Understanding the notation

The test consists of four separately marked sections, each of which yields a score between 0 and 699. This marking allows you to place your level on two official scales: the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages ​​(CEFR) from level A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficiency) and the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) from 1 to 12. The scores and these two references are recorded on the certificate.

The reading and listening sections take the form of multiple-choice questions, with only one correct answer per question, where a correct answer is worth one point. The number of correct answers is then converted into an adjusted score, taking into account the difficulty level of the questions.

The written and oral expression sections assess your ability to communicate in everyday situations. They are marked by two independent assessors, according to standardized grids taking into account several criteria (vocabulary, grammar, clarity, fluency, coherence of speech, etc.). The results are then converted into a final calibrated score.

Here is the equivalence grid between TEF scores and CECRL levels:

When applying for immigration, the required French language proficiency certificate depends on the program you are applying to. For example, the Express Entry program generally requires a CLB 7 across all skills, while the Mobilité francophone program may accept a CLB 5. Requirements vary depending on the Canadian government's criteria.

When applying for Canadian citizenship, a minimum of NCLC 4 is required for the oral comprehension and expression sections.

To view the detailed requirements for your project, you can go directly to the IRCC website.

How to train for the TEF Canada ?

Proper preparation for the assessment begins with a good understanding of the process and specific expectations for each test. You can practice from home, online, or at an approved center.

The TEF Canada is a proficiency test that certifies your level of French proficiency, so you can neither pass nor fail. You can take it as many times as you like, giving you the opportunity to improve your score.

To obtain a certification that reflects your level and approach the test in the best conditions, you can familiarize yourself with the test formats: standard instructions, examples, explanatory videos, interactive exercises and practice tests. In partnership with the CCI Paris Île-de-France, PrepMyFuture offers a unique online preparation, based on recent official practice tests to optimize your chances of success.

How to register for the exam ?

Registration is done directly with an approved examination center, in France or abroad. Consult the official list , then contact the one that suits you to obtain practical information: registration conditions, available dates and documents to provide.

Once your registration is confirmed, the exam organizer will send you an invitation by email. This must be presented on the day of the test, along with a valid form of identification.

Registration is open to anyone over the age of 16.

No prior diploma is required to apply for this exam.

Where to take the test ?

The TEF Canada can be taken in France or abroad, at an approved center (Alliance Française, authorized training center, etc.). The complete list is available online.

Once your registration is confirmed, you will receive an official invitation indicating the date, time, location and instructions to follow on the day of the test.

Why take the TEF Canada test?

The TEF Canada is an official language certification that allows you to demonstrate your French proficiency to Canadian authorities. It is recognized as part of an immigration or citizenship application.

Beyond the administrative procedures, it can also be accepted as proof of French proficiency by several universities, CEGEPs or to attest to your language skills to an employer.

Tips for passing the TEF Canada

Your success depends primarily on the quality of your preparation. The more practice you have, the more familiar you will be with the instructions and different formats of each test.

To improve your reading comprehension, vocabulary and structure, regularly read a variety of content in French (press articles, recipes, instructions, stories, etc.) to enrich your vocabulary and gain speed when reading instructions.

In listening comprehension, expose yourself as much as possible to spoken language (podcasts, videos, radio broadcasts) which will allow you to better understand accents, registers and sentence structures.

And above all, remember to consult our tutorials, free videos and practice with our official practice tests: an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the TEF Canada exams.

to the TEF Canada 2025 test