TCF Certificate
(Test de Connaissance du Français)

The TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) is the French test awarded by the French Ministry of Education. TCF assesses a candidate’s level in French for general purposes. It is intended for people who are not native French-speaker and who, for professional, personal or academic reasons, want to have their competency in French assessed and certified simply, reliably and quickly.

The TCF is a standardized and graded test designed by the CIEP using an extremely rigorous method that makes it a genuine measuring instrument. All candidates receive a certificate of results that positions them at one of the six levels (from A1 to C2) of the competency scale defined by the Council of Europe (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). This means that it is not possible to fail the TCF.

The TCF has three compulsory tests and two optional ones. Compulsory tests: listening comprehension, language structures, reading comprehension (1.5 hours). Optional tests: oral expression (15 minutes), written expression
(2 hours).

Each candidate is promptly awarded a certificate featuring the test results valid for
two years.

More... > TCF - Schedules and registration

TEF Certificate
(Test d’Evaluation de Français)

The TEF (Test d'Evaluation de Français) is a certificate delivered by the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris. It is the fastest way to assess the level in French language if you are a non-native speaker.

Migrants to Canada The Canadian Government strongly recommends that migrants who are applying as "Skilled Workers" and who are not French native speakers take the TEF as a proof of their French language skills. Citizenship and Immigration Canada: Official Language Testing

The general TEF exam will gauge your following skills: oral and reading comprehension, vocabulary and grammar. It consists of 150 multiple choice questions and takes approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes to administer.

Two other modules can be added – oral expression and written expression.

After you have taken the tests, the Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie de Paris promptly delivers a certificate valid for a year. Results are communicated by email 3 days after reception of the tests in Paris by the CCIP. Certificate is mailed within 2 weeks.

More... > TEF - Schedules and registration