TEF Canada: Test d’Evaluation de Français

TEF-Canada-Test-dEvaluation-de-Francais

Canada has two official languages and aspiring immigrants need to show proficiency in either French or English to be eligible for PR. By showing language proficiency skills you gain valuable immigration points. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) accepts TEF and TCF Canada tests for French language proficiency and CELPIP, IELTS, and PTE for English language proficiency. 

Table of Content

What is TEF?

TEF or the Test d’Evaluation de Français is a test designed to evaluate your French language skills. It was created in the year 1998 by the CCI Paris Ile-de-France. IRCC has recognized the TEF Canada test as one of the approved language proficiency tests since 2002. 

The validity period of the TEF Canada test is 2 years from the date of getting the results. 

The French Evaluation Test (TEF) is recognized by various organizations around the world. The organizations that recognize TEF are:

  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
  • The French Ministry of National Education 
  • The French Ministry of Interior
  • The Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
  • The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration
  • The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration of Quebec

Download Free Immigration and PR Guide PDF 

TEF Canada Exam Pattern

The TEF Canada tests are composed of 4 sections:

TEF Canada Test SectionsDurationPattern
Written Expression60 Mins2 topics to cover
Oral Expression15 Mins2 topics to cover
Written Comprehension60 Mins40 Questions
Oral Comprehension40 Mins40 Questions

NOTE: You must take all of these tests on the exact day or IRCC won’t recognize your certificate. 

TEF Canada Test Fee

The TEF Canada test costs INR 24,780 in India. However, if you are opting for the e-TEF Canada test, the exam fee might be INR 22,000. You may still contact the exam centre for further information.

Exam centres for TEF Canada Test

Indian TEF Canada test centres are:

LocationWebsite
Hyderabadhttps://hyderabad.afindia.org/ 
Bombayhttps://bombay.afindia.org/ 
Chandigarhhttps://chandigarh.afindia.org/ 
Punehttps://pune.afindia.org/ 
Bengal https://bengale.afindia.org/ 
Madrashttps://madras.afindia.org/ 

Registration Centers and Dates

Below are the dates for different TEF Canada test centres. 

Pune

Exam DateRegistration Period
22-May08/04/24 to 05/05/2024
19-Jun06/05/24 to 02/06/2024
24-Jul03/06/24 to 07/07/2024
21-Aug08/07/24 to 04/08/2024
25-Sep05/08/24 to 08/09/2024
23-Oct09/09/24 to 06/10/2024
20-Nov07/10/24 to 03/11/2024
18-Dec04/11/24 to 01/12/2024

Bhopal-Indore

  • 16 May
  • 6 June
  • 20 June
  • 27 June

For more test dates, contact the nearest TEF center.

TEF vs TCF

TEF and TCF are two different French language proficiency tests and they differ in various aspects. The table below covers such dissimilarities between the two:

TCF Canada TestTEF Canada Test
Full FormTest de Connaissance du FrançaisTest d’Evaluation de Français
Difficulty LevelA1 to C2A1 to C2
Scoring Factors0-699 points0-1,560 points
Result Validity2 years2 years
Result Announcement Time15 working days2-4 weeks
Exam Duration2 Hours 47 Minutes2 Hours 55 Minutes
Accepted by QuebecTCF CanadaTEFAQ 
Exam FeesINR 23,800INR 24,780
Exam Patterna. Reading Comprehension – 39 MCQ; 60 minutes
b. Listening Comprehension – 39 MCQ; 35 minutes
c. Written Expression – 3 exercises; 60 minutes
d. Oral Expression – 3 exercises; 12 minutes
a. Written Expression – 60 Mins; 2 topics to cover
b. Oral Expression – 15 Mins2 topics to cover
c. Written Comprehension – 60 Mins; 40 Questions
d. Oral Comprehension – 40 Mins; 40 Questions

Depending on your circumstances, you can decide which of these tests suits you better. You can either take the TCF Canada test or the TEF Canada test for Canada PR to show French language proficiency as they are both accepted by IRCC. 

TEF NCLC Equivalence (CLB)

Niveaux de Compétence Linguistique Canadien (NCLC) is used to measure French levels of proficiency, while Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) measures the English levels. 

Once you take a language test, you can measure your scores using the table given below. 

CLB / NCLC levelReadingWritingListeningSpeaking
10546-699558-699546-699556-699
9503-545512-557503-545518-555
8462-502472-511462-502494-517
7434-461428-471434-461456-493
6393-433379-427393-433422-455
5352-392330-378352-392387-421
4306-351268-329306-351328-386

You can calculate your score using the above table for these Canada immigration programs:

TEF for Express Entry

The minimum French language proficiency to show depends on the immigration program you are opting for. 

There are three immigration programs under Express Entry. We have provided the minimum NCLC level requirement according to each program below:

  1. Federal Skilled Worker Program – NCLC 7 
  2. Federal Skilled Trades Program – NCLC 5 (Speaking and Listening), NCLC 4 (Reading and Writing)
  3. Canadian Experience Class – NCLC 5 (TEER 2 & 3), NCLC 7 (TEER 0 & 1)

To achieve a greater CRS score, you must aim to score higher on your language test result. The higher the CRS score of your Express Entry profile, the greater the chances of ITA being issued to you. 

CRS allows one to score a maximum of 150 points if they are coming to Canada with a spouse and 160 points if their spouse is not coming with them (if their spouse is a Canadian PR/citizen, they will count points as if the spouse is not coming with them). 

Follow the guidelines below to calculate your scores. 

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

FSWP scores candidates’ profiles a little differently. A candidate needs to score at least 67 out of 100 points to be eligible for this program. 

FSWP gives the highest points for language proficiency and hence TEF Canada test acts as a really important source to gain valuable scores. Out of 100, you can gain a maximum of 28 points for language proficiency. 

The maximum score you can get under each ability is provided below:

NCLC LevelSpeaking Listening Reading Writing FSWP Points (per ability)Overall FSWP Points You’ll Get
7310-348249-279207-232310-348416 Points 
8349-370280-297233-247349-370520 Points 
9 and above371+298+248+371+624 Points 

2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)

NCLC LevelSpeakingListeningReadingWritingWith a SpouseOverall CRS Points You’ll GetWithout a SpouseOverall CRS Points You’ll Get
9 and above371+298+248+371+29 Points116 Points31 Points124 Points
8349-370280-297233-247349-37022 Points88 Points23 Points92 Points
7310-348249-279207-232310-34816 Points64 Points17 Points68 Points
6271-309217-248181-206271-3098 Points32 Points9 Points36 Points
5226-270181-216151-180226-2706 Points24 Points6 Points24 Points
4181-225145-180121-150181-2256 Points24 Points6 Points24 Points

3. Canadian Experience Class

NOC TEERNCLC LevelSpeakingListeningReadingWritingWith a SpouseOverall CRS Points You’ll GetWithout a SpouseOverall CRS Points You’ll Get
0 and 19 and above371+298+248+371+29 Points116 Points31 Points124 Points
0 and 18349-370280-297233-247349-37022 Points88 Points23 Points92 Points
0 and 17310-348249-279207-232310-34816 Points64 Points17 Points68 Points
2 and 36271-309217-248181-206271-3096 Points24 Points6 Points24 Points
2 and 35226-270181-216151-180226-2706 Points24 Points6 Points24 Points

Since Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) launched the Category-based Express Entry draws in 2023 it has been targeting candidates with higher French language proficiency. However, to qualify, you need to score at least NCLC 7. The chances of Francophones immigrating to Canada have increased. 

IRCC aims to increase the population of French-speaking immigrants outside of Quebec as well. As mentioned in Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2024-2026, IRCC aims to invite:

  • 26,100 Francophone immigrants in 2024
  • 31,500 in 2025, and 
  • 36,000 in 2026

That’s not all, the Express Entry draws that target Francophones usually require a much lower CRS score. This is another advantage for you if you choose the TEF Canada test for Canadian immigration purposes. 

TEF for Quebec

We know that since Quebec operates separately in terms of immigration, you need to take another TEF test to immigrate to Quebec. This test is called the TEF Quebec (TEFAQ) test. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also recognizes the TEFAQ test for Canadian citizenship purposes. 

To be eligible to immigrate to Quebec, you need to show at least level 7 of French language proficiency. Once you take the TEFAQ test and the results meet the requirements, you may be eligible to apply for residency in Quebec. 

Tips for TEF Test Preparation

Here are some quick tips to prepare for the TEF Canada test:

  • Practice makes anyone perfect. Improve your French language skills, by reading French books, watching French movies, listening to French songs, etc. 
  • You can opt for French classes as well and watch your French improve day by day
  • You may take French quizzes online which can help you a lot
  • If you practice French by writing and saying the sentences out loud, it will help you memorize the tidbits of the language. 

Want to improve your French and gain better test scores in the TEF Canada test? Contact us! With the experience of the past 15 years, Talent Connected Worldwide has helped thousands of aspiring immigrants such as yourself.

No matter what your query is, we are here for you. Don’t hesitate and reach out to us freely.

Co-Founder-Devdatt-Dhariyal