What is the TEF Exam?
TEF (Test d’Évaluation de Français) is an international test designed to assess a non-native speaker’s level of proficiency in French. It is administered by the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris Île-de-France (CCI Paris Île-de-France) and is recognized by institutions, governments, and organizations around the world.
Purpose of the TEF
The TEF serves several official purposes, depending on the version and modules you take:
- TEF Canada – For Canadian immigration (Express Entry, Permanent Residency, Citizenship).
- TEF Québec (TEFAQ) – For immigration to the province of Québec.
- TEF Naturalisation – To acquire French nationality.
- TEF Études – For studying in French-speaking institutions.
- TEF Carte de résident – For applying for a 10-year resident card in France.
Structure détaillée de l’épreuve – Types de documents audio
If you plan to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry or Francophone programs, the TEF Canada is one of the only accepted French tests by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
It evaluates four core skills:
Module | Skill | Duration | Format |
Compréhension orale | Listening | ~40 min | 60 MCQs |
Compréhension écrite | Reading | ~60 min | 50 MCQs |
Expression orale | Speaking | ~15 min | 2 tasks |
Expression écrite | Writing | ~60 min | 2 tasks |
All four modules are mandatory for Express Entry.
TEF Score to NCLC Conversion (After 11 Dec 2023)
Your score in each module is out of 699 points. These scores are converted into NCLC levels (0 to 12). The table below shows how:
NCLC Level | Compréhension écrite / orale | Expression écrite | Expression orale |
<NCLC 4 | 0 – 305 | 0 – 267 | 0 – 327 |
NCLC 4 | 306 – 329 | 268 – 329 | 328 – 386 |
NCLC 5 | 330 – 378 | 330 – 378 | 387 – 421 |
NCLC 6 | 379 – 427 | 379 – 427 | 422 – 455 |
NCLC 7 | 428 – 451 | 428 – 471 | 456 – 493 |
NCLC 8 | 452 – 503 | 472 – 511 | 494 – 531 |
NCLC 9 | 504 – 548 | 512 – 555 | 532 – 565 |
NCLC 10 | 549 – 565 | 556 – 577 | 566 – 591 |
NCLC 11 | 566 – 573 | 578 – 614 | 592 – 641 |
NCLC 12 | 574 – 699 | 615 – 699 | 642 – 699 |
Target: For most Express Entry streams, NCLC 7 minimum in all four modules is required. Higher levels (NCLC 9+) give more CRS points.
Key Facts
- The TEF Canada is accepted by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
- You can take the test multiple times, but must wait 30 days between attempts.
- The test is available year-round in certified centres worldwide.
- Results are usually provided within 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the centre.
TEF Preparation: How MockNest Helps
At MockNest, we offer:
- Real mock exams based on the latest formats
- Native-speaker listening practice
- One-on-one speaking sessions with feedback
- Corrected writing tasks with annotations
- Detailed score estimation for NCLC level targeting
- AI + Teacher support to improve faster
Final Thoughts
The TEF is more than a language test — it’s a pathway to your Canadian dreams. Whether you’re applying through Express Entry, Francophone programs, or for citizenship, mastering the TEF can make or break your immigration profile.
Let MockNest be your guide through it all.
