Created in 1998 by the French Language Centre of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France, the TEF (Test d’Evaluation de Français) is an international benchmark test that measures a person’s level of knowledge and skills in French.

The TEF Canada is a mandatory test in the context of economic immigration programs that require proof of language skills, at the request of Canadian Citizenship and Immigration to Canada.

The TEF Canada is also an essential proof of French language proficiency level to obtain Canadian citizenship.

For immigration to Canada, a candidate must take all of the 4 sections (2 hours 55 minutes):

• Reading Comprehension (60 minutes) – 50 questions – 300 points
• Listening Comprehension (40 minutes) – 60 questions – 360 points
• Written Expression (60 minutes) – 2 topics – 450 points
• Oral Expression (15 minutes per candidate) – 2 topics – 450 points

Hence results for the 4 skills listed above are expected by the Immigration Canada (CIC- Canadian Federal Government). The minimum level required is level 7 (level B2 of the Common European Framework for Languages).

For Canadian citizenship, a candidate must take the below 2 sections (55 minutes):

• Listening Comprehension (40 minutes) – 60 questions – 360 points
• Oral Expression (15 minutes per candidate) – 2 topics – 450 points

Please read this additional information:
— TEF Canada Information
— Conditions d’inscription et de passation du Test d’évaluation de français (pdf)

Exam Date: Friday, January 27, 2023
Registration Deadline: Sunday, January 8, 2023

Exam Date: Friday, February 24, 2023
Registration Deadline: Sunday, February 5, 2023

Exam Date: Friday, March 24, 2023
Registration Deadline: Sunday, March 5, 2023

Exam Date: Friday, April 21, 2023
Registration Deadline: Sunday, April 2, 2023

Exam Date: Friday, June 30, 2023
Registration Deadline: Sunday, June 11, 2023

Exam Date: Friday, July 21, 2023
Registration Deadline: Sunday, July 2, 2023

Exam Date: Friday, August 25, 2023
Registration Deadline: Sunday, August 6, 2023

Exam Date: Friday, September 22, 2023
Registration Deadline: Sunday, September 3, 2023

Exam Date: Friday, October 20, 2023
Registration Deadline: Sunday, October 1, 2023

Exam Date: Friday, November 17, 2023
Registration Deadline: Sunday, October 29, 2023

Venue
French Institute Alliance Francaise (FIAF)
22 East 60th Street, New York, NY 10022

The test evaluates the French skills of the candidate using a scale of 7 levels that range from 0+ level (basic skills) to level 6 (complete control).

This scale corresponds to:
• 6 skill levels A1 to C2 of the Common European Framework for Languages (CECR) of the Council of Europe
• 12 Canadian Language Benchmarks (NCLC – Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens).

Correspondance Niveaux TEF/CECR/NCLC

TEF	0+	1	2		3		4		5			6
CECR	A1		A2		B1		B2		C1			C2
NCLC	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12

Additional information is available here.

Please allow 5-6 weeks from the test date to receive your certificate. It will be mailed to you directly from the Français des affaires, our partner.

The certificate of results is valid for two years.

A candidate may take the test as many times as he/she wants, however, a one-month waiting period is required between two successive tests.

Full test with all 4 sections
$350 FIAF Member / $385 Non-Member

Test with 2 sections (for Citizenship)
$265 FIAF Member / $280 Non-Member

Fees must be paid in full at time of registration and are non-refundable.

Please note there is a $5 administrative fee in addition to the exam fee.

Payment is made by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, American Express). You may pay over the phone (646-388-6691).

The health and well-being of our students, members, visitors, and staff are our number one priority.  We will be closely following strict guidelines recommended by the CDC and public health authorities regarding COVID-19.

More frequent building-wide cleaning schedule has been implemented.

Please complete the registration and payment forms below and return them to FIAF.

• Registration Form (pdf)

• Payment Form (pdf)

Sign both forms and email in pdf format.

Any incomplete applications will be rejected.

FIAF Language Center, 22 E 60th St, New York, NY 10022
Email: languagecenter@fiaf.org

Exam session transfers are subject to a $50 fee and only permitted before the Registration Deadline of your original exam session. Any candidate who submits a transfer request after this Registration Deadline is subject to repay the full exam fee. Participation can only be transferred to the next session (without penalty) in the case of sickness, provided that a doctor’s note is mailed (not via email) within three days of the original Exam Date. If you have registered for an exam and need to transfer to another session, please email languagecenter@fiaf.org.

FIAF reserves the right to cancel a session if the number of candidates does not exceed 10 candidates. All registrations will be moved to the next session. FIAF reserves the right to cancel a session for weather inclement reasons. All registrations will be moved to the next session.

The best way to get ready for this exam is to take FIAF’s French language classes. View course catalog here.

We also have a preparation book and CD available for sale at the Language Center Office.

Additional information is available here: lefrancaisdesaffaires.fr/en/tests-diplomas/prepare-for-the-tef/