TCF Canada or TEF Canada: which French test to take?
TCF Canada and TEF Canada are both recognised by IRCC, both have four tests and both give results valid for two years. They differ in format and scoring: TCF Canada has three speaking and three writing tasks, TEF Canada has two of each. Choose by how you perform, not by reputation.
Do IRCC treat TCF Canada and TEF Canada differently?
Both tests are recognised by IRCC. The IRCC equivalence tables give, for each test and each ability, the score range that corresponds to each NCLC level, so what counts is the NCLC level your scores convert to, not the test name.
Results of both tests are valid for two years, as stated by France Éducation international for TCF Canada and by the TEF publisher for TEF Canada. The practical consequence: the decision is about which format suits you. If you want to see how the conversion works for your own scores, use the NCLC calculator.
How do the two tests compare side by side?
The table below shows the official structure of each test as published by its organiser. Read it row by row: the biggest differences are in the writing and speaking tasks, not in listening and reading.
| Component | TCF Canada | TEF Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 39 questions, 35 minutes, scored 100-699 | 40 questions, 40 minutes, scored 0-360 |
| Reading | 39 questions, 60 minutes, scored 100-699 | 40 questions, 60 minutes, scored 0-300 |
| Writing | 3 tasks, 60 minutes, scored 0-20 | 2 tasks, 60 minutes, scored 0-450 |
| Speaking | 3 tasks, 12 minutes, scored 0-20 | 2 tasks, 15 minutes, scored 0-450 |
Details of each test are on our pages for TCF Canada and TEF Canada.
How do the speaking and writing tasks differ?
TCF Canada writing has three tasks: a message to a friend or relative (60-120 words), an article, letter or note reporting an experience (120-150 words), and a comparison of two documents with an opinion to defend (120-180 words). TEF Canada writing has two tasks in the same 60 minutes.
TCF Canada speaking has three tasks: a guided interview without preparation (2 minutes), an interaction where you ask questions after 2 minutes of preparation (5 minutes 30 in total), and a point of view without preparation (4 minutes 30). TEF Canada speaking has two tasks in 15 minutes.
If you prefer short, varied tasks, the TCF Canada structure may feel natural. If you prefer fewer, longer tasks, the TEF Canada structure may suit you. Practise both formats in the speaking test and writing test guides.
How do the scores convert to NCLC levels?
Each test uses its own scale, so the same NCLC level corresponds to different numbers. Take NCLC 7, the level required for the French-language category in Express Entry according to IRCC and for the additional French points in the CRS grid.
| Ability | TCF Canada, NCLC 7 | TEF Canada, NCLC 7 |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 458-502 | 249-279 |
| Reading | 453-498 | 207-232 |
| Speaking | 10-11 | 310-348 |
| Writing | 10-11 | 310-348 |
These ranges come from the IRCC equivalence tables. Never compare raw scores across tests: a 10 out of 20 at TCF Canada and a 310 at TEF Canada fall in the NCLC 7 range of their own test, not the same number. Check your own figures in the NCLC calculator.
Why does the NCLC level matter for your CRS score?
According to the IRCC CRS grid, the first official language earns points per ability, and additional points are given for French: 25 points if you reach NCLC 7 or higher in all four French abilities with English at CLB 4 or lower (or no English test), and 50 points with English at CLB 5 or higher in all four abilities.
IRCC also states that the French-language proficiency category in Express Entry requires NCLC 7 or higher in all four abilities. Draw dates, sizes and cut-offs change, so read them on the IRCC rounds page rather than relying on a blog. Our guides on CRS French points and Express Entry French draws explain how to read this information.
Because every ability counts, a weak speaking or writing result can hold back an otherwise strong profile. This is why the format of the productive tests deserves attention when you choose.
How should you choose between the two tests?
Use a short, practical method rather than guessing. The steps below help you compare the two formats before you book.
- Check availability. Look at which test is offered near you and at what dates; see our page on exam centres in India for a starting point.
- Try both formats. Take the free TCF Canada practice test and the free TEF Canada practice test and note which timing and task style feels easier.
- Compare your weakest ability. If speaking is your weakest skill, rehearse each format aloud and see which one you can sustain.
- Check fees and dates. Confirm current fees and available dates with the test centre before booking.
- Commit to one test. Switching between formats during preparation splits your practice time.
If you are unsure of your starting level, the free instant level test takes 30 seconds of speech or a short text and gives an estimate, not an official result.
How can you prepare for the format you choose?
Once you have chosen, practise the exact task types, not general French. For TCF Canada speaking, that means a guided interview, an interaction where you ask questions, and a point of view, in the real time limits.
FrenchExaminer offers an AI examiner for the full TCF Canada speaking test and a writing correction by criterion. You can see what the feedback looks like in the example report and how estimates are produced in how we score. Passes are one-time payments, not subscriptions; see pricing.
Practice estimates are not official results. They show where to work, and the official score comes only from the test itself.
Questions candidates ask
Is TCF Canada easier than TEF Canada?
Nothing in the IRCC equivalence tables makes one test count for more than the other, because both are converted to the same NCLC scale. Difficulty depends on the candidate: some find three short speaking tasks easier, others prefer two longer ones. The way to know is to try a practice test of each format.
Can I take both TCF Canada and TEF Canada?
Both tests are recognised by IRCC, but the sources used here do not say whether taking both is advisable or restricted, so check with the test centre and IRCC. In practice, preparing for two formats divides your study time, so most candidates choose one test and prepare its exact tasks.
How long are TCF Canada results valid for immigration?
According to France Éducation international, TCF Canada results are valid for two years. The TEF Canada publisher also states a two-year validity. Plan your application so that your result is still valid on the day you submit it, and confirm the current requirements directly with IRCC before you book.
Which French test gives the same NCLC level for speaking?
Both do, using different numbers. In the IRCC tables, NCLC 7 for speaking is 10-11 on the TCF Canada 0-20 scale and 310-348 on the TEF Canada 0-450 scale. The numbers differ because the scales differ, not because the level does.
How many questions are in the TCF Canada listening test?
According to France Éducation international, the TCF Canada listening comprehension test has 39 questions and lasts 35 minutes. The reading comprehension test also has 39 questions and lasts 60 minutes. TEF Canada listening and reading each have 40 questions.
Do I need NCLC 7 in all four abilities for French points?
For the additional French points in the IRCC CRS grid, NCLC 7 or higher is required in all four French abilities. IRCC states the same threshold for the French-language proficiency category in Express Entry. A single weaker ability can therefore affect the outcome.
Where do I find the latest Express Entry French draw results?
Draw dates, sizes and CRS cut-offs change from round to round, so read them on the official IRCC rounds of invitations page. This article deliberately does not quote a specific draw. Our Express Entry French draws guide explains how to interpret what you find there.