How do I take TCF Canada or TEF Canada in India?

FrenchExaminer · Published 2026-10-21 · 4 min read · AI-drafted, reviewed by a second AI pass, not yet reviewed by a human

Both TCF Canada and TEF Canada are recognised by IRCC and results stay valid for two years. In India you book through an authorised test centre, not through IRCC. Centre lists, fees and session dates change, so confirm each one with the official test provider and the centre before you pay.

Which test can I take in India, and what does each one contain?

Both tests are recognised by IRCC, and the format differs, so pick the one whose structure suits you. The table below sets the official formats side by side (sources: France Éducation international for TCF Canada, the TEF Canada test provider for TEF).

Part	TCF Canada	TEF Canada
Listening	39 questions, 35 minutes	40 questions, 40 minutes
Reading	39 questions, 60 minutes	40 questions, 60 minutes
Written expression	3 tasks, 60 minutes	2 tasks, 60 minutes
Oral expression	3 tasks, 12 minutes	2 tasks, 15 minutes

All four parts are compulsory in TCF Canada. For a closer look at each, see our pages on TCF Canada and TEF Canada.

Where do I find an authorised test centre in India?

Book through an authorised test centre and not through IRCC, and confirm the centre's status with the test provider before paying. Be cautious with agents' advertisements: ask the centre itself to confirm in writing that it offers the Canada version of the test you want.

Before choosing, confirm three things with the centre: that it offers the Canada version, how the four parts are scheduled, and how it will inform you of your session details. Our page on exam centres in India explains how to compare options by city.

How does booking work, step by step?

The exact process is set by each centre, but the sequence below is a sensible way to avoid mistakes. Follow it in order and keep a written record of each answer you receive.

Decide which test fits your plan, using the format table above.
Shortlist the authorised centres you can reach.
Ask each centre in writing for the current fee, available session dates and payment method.
Ask the centre which identity documents to bring and how your name must appear on the registration.
Pay only through the channel the centre gives you and keep the receipt and confirmation.
Ask when the written and oral parts will take place, since the schedule is set by the centre.

If a centre does not answer clearly about fees or dates, treat that as a reason to compare another one.

What do the fees and timelines look like?

Fees and session calendars can change, so no figure on a third-party page should be trusted over the centre's own quote. Ask the centre for the total including any registration or service charge.

Ask the centre two timing questions: how soon the next session is available, and when you can expect your results. The one stable fact is validity: for both tests, results are valid for two years, so avoid taking the test too early in your application preparation.

How do my results translate into immigration scores?

IRCC converts your results into NCLC levels. For TCF Canada, speaking and writing are scored 0-20 and listening and reading 100-699; for TEF Canada, speaking and writing are scored 0-450, listening 0-360 and reading 0-300. For example, NCLC 7 requires 10-11 in TCF speaking, and 310-348 in TEF speaking, according to IRCC's equivalence tables.

NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities is also the threshold named for the French-language category in Express Entry category-based selection. Draw dates and cut-offs change, so read them on the IRCC rounds page and see our note on French draws. To see how levels turn into points, use the NCLC calculator and read CRS points for French.

How can I prepare while I wait for a session?

Use the waiting time on the parts that are hardest to practise alone. The TCF Canada oral test has three tasks (a 2-minute guided interview, an interaction with 2 minutes of preparation, and a 4 minutes 30 point of view), and the written test asks for texts of 60-120, 120-150 and 120-180 words. Rehearse those formats under time limits.

Start with the free instant level test, which takes 30 seconds of speech or a short text, to see where you stand. Then practise with the AI examiner for speaking and get writing correction by criterion. These estimates are not official results, and the passes are one-time payments, not subscriptions (see pricing).

Questions candidates ask

Is TCF Canada or TEF Canada easier to take in India?

Neither test is officially easier, and availability depends on the centre near you. TCF Canada has three speaking tasks in 12 minutes, while TEF Canada has two in 15 minutes. Compare the formats, check which test your nearby centres run, and choose the one whose structure suits you.

How long are TCF Canada results valid for immigration?

Results of both TCF Canada and TEF Canada are valid for two years, according to the test providers. Plan your test date so your results are still valid when you submit your application, and keep your official result document safe, since you will need it as proof.

Can I book the TCF Canada test online from India?

Booking is handled by the authorised centre, and each centre sets its own method, so some may accept online requests and others may not. Confirm the process, the payment channel and a written confirmation directly with the centre before sending any money.

What documents do I need on TCF Canada test day?

The list of accepted documents is set by the centre and the test provider, so ask the centre in writing which identity documents to bring and how your name must appear on the registration. Carry your booking confirmation as well, and check the details well before test day.

How much does the TEF Canada exam cost in India?

The fee is set by the test provider and the individual centre and can change, so no figure is quoted here. Ask your chosen centre for the current total, including any registration or service charges, and compare it with at least one other authorised centre.

Can I retake the French test if my score is too low?

Ask the centre and the test provider about retake rules and any waiting period before planning a second attempt. Use the time between attempts to practise your weakest part, and keep in mind that results from either test stay valid for two years, so time any retake carefully.

Do I need both TCF Canada and TEF Canada?

Both tests are recognised by IRCC, so you can choose either one rather than taking both. Pick the test whose format suits you, prepare for that structure, and check your own application requirements before deciding whether a second test would add anything for your situation.