TCF Canada Test for Canada Immigration 

The TCF Canada test (Test de Connaissance du Français) is a French language proficiency test accepted by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for permanent residency applications.

It is designed for individuals 16 years or older regardless of their native language and nationality, who need to verify their French proficiency as a part of the economic immigration process or to gain Canadian citizenship.

The TCF Canada test aims to assess your French skills on a scale of 6 levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, and C2). This scale relates to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages of the Council of Europe (CEFR). The lowest level of the exam is A1, which represents the novice level, while the highest levels of fluency are C1 and C2.

TCF Canada Test Format

TCF Canada tests are categorized into 4 modules: listening comprehension, reading comprehension, written expression, and oral expression. The duration of the TCF test is 2 hours 47 minutes. 

Type of Test	Mode of Test	No. of Questions	Allotted Time
Listening Comprehension	Computer-based test	39 MCQ	35 minutes
Reading Comprehension	Computer-based test	39 MCQ	60 minutes
Written Expression	Computer-based test	3 exercises	60 minutes
Oral Expression	Face-to-face test	3 exercises	12 minutes
Total Test Timing			2 hours 47 minutes

TCF Canada Test Centers

Here are the TCF Canada test centers in India where you can take the test.

Name of City	Address of Test Center
Bangalore – French Alliance	Thimmaiah Road Opposite UNI Building Vasanth Nagar 560052 Bangalore
Bhopal- French Alliance	B-75, Shahpura B Sector Madhya Pradesh 462016 Bhopal
Calcutta – Alliance Française du Bengal	Park Mansion, 57A Park Street, Gate 3 700016 Kolkata
Chandigarh – Alliance française	Next to Hibiscus Garden Sector 36 A 160036 Chandigarh
New Delhi – New Delhi, French Alliance	72, Lodhi Estate, 110003 New Delhi
Trivandrum – Alliance française de Trivandrum	Forest Office Lane, Nandavanam Vazhuthacaud, Thiruvananthapuram Kerala695014 Trivandrum

TCF Canada Test Fees

According to the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF), to take the TCF Canada test you have to pay approx.$385 (INR 23,800) exam fee with an additional administrative charge of $5 (INR 300). 

Fees for this test are non-refundable and you have to pay full fees with an additional administrative charge at the time of enrollment. 

Below is the table which describes the fee structure for the TCF Canada exam:

Test	FIAF Members	Non-FIAF Members
Full Test – Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing sections	$350 (INR 21,476)	$385 (INR 23,800 approx)

TCF Canada Test Dates

The compulsory part of the Test de Connaissance du Français test is computer-based and paper-based. Hence, this test is available between 9 am to 6 pm. So, make sure to be available during this period to take the test.  

TCF Canada Test in 2024

There is no update yet on when the TCF exams will be held in 2024 in India. Make sure to bookmark this page to get information about the TCF Canada exam. As soon as any update comes, you will get all the information here.

TCF Test Validity

The TCF Canada test is valid for 2 years from the date the result is issued and the validity date will be included in the TCF test certificate.

Eligibility Criteria for TCF Canada Test

The eligibility criteria depend on which Express Entry path you choose to immigrate to. Here are the TCF Canada test eligibility criteria for each Express Entry program.

TCF Score for Federal Skilled Worker Program

1. First official language (max 24 points)

NCLC Level	Listening	Writing	Reading	Speaking	Points (per capability)
7	458-502	10-11	453-498	10-11	4
8	503-522	12-13	499-523	12-13	5
9 & above	523+	14+	524+	14+	6

2. Second official language (if you secure the minimum score in all four language proficiency skills you will get the 4 points)

NCLC Level	Listening	Writing	Reading	Speaking	Points (per capability)
5 and above	369-397+	6+	375-405+	6+	4

TCF Score for Federal Skilled Trades Program

NCLC Level	Listening	Writing	Reading	Speaking
10 & above	549-699	16-20	549-699	16-20
9	523-548	14-15	524-548	14-15
8	503-522	12-13	499-523	12-13
7	458-502	10-11	453-498	10-11
6	398-457	7-9	406-452	7-9
5	369-397	6	375-405	6
4	331-368	4-5	342-374	4-5

TCF Score for Canadian Experience Class

NCLC Level	NOC TEER	Listening	Writing	Reading	Speaking
10 & above	0 and 1	549-699	16-20	549-699	16-20
9	0 and 1	523-548	14-15	524-548	14-15
8	0 and 1	503-522	12-13	499-523	12-13
7	0 and 1	458-502	10-11	453-498	10-11
6	2 and 3	398-457	7-9	406-452	7-9
5	2 and 3	369-397	6	375-405	6

Tips for TCF Canada Test Preparation

The following are some useful tips for TCF Canada test preparation.

1. Familiarize yourself with the TCF test format and understand how the TCF test is carried out

2. The secret to success is not simply hard work but also careful planning and execution. So, thoroughly read the TCF canada test sample paper to understand the exam question’s structure

3. Master the art of time management by learning to keep yourself organized. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can start taking the TCF Canada test. 

Create a plan and stick to it. Establish regular times that will work with your schedule to study. You can’t expect to do well on a language test if you try to cram for it or study in a disorganized manner.

4. Pick credible sources, and make sure they’re up-to-date. Since language examinations are subject to continuous revision, you shouldn’t waste time studying material that is no longer expected to be on the test.

5. Talk to someone else who is also preparing for their TCF Canada exam. It would be helpful to practice with each other and provide each other encouragement. Be careful to keep your planned study times.

6. Exercise, exercise, exercise. Cramming and occasional preparation won’t cut it for a language test like the TCF.

Frequently Asked Questions