Free TEF Canada Practice Tests, Instantly Scored
Prepare for the Test d'évaluation de français pour le Canada with unlimited mock exams. Get your NCLC scores instantly and track your progress toward Express Entry, PNP, or citizenship.
What Is TEF Canada?
The Test d'évaluation de français pour le Canada (TEF Canada) is an official French-language proficiency exam recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It evaluates four communication skills — reading, listening, writing, and speaking — and maps your results to the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) scale.
TEF Canada scores are accepted for Express Entry (Federal Skilled Worker, Federal Skilled Trades, Canadian Experience Class), Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), and Canadian citizenship applications. A strong NCLC score in French can add significant Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points to your Express Entry profile, especially when combined with English proficiency.
The test is administered by the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Paris Île-de-France and results are valid for two years from the test date.
TEF Canada Test Format
The exam has four mandatory sections for immigration purposes. Total testing time is approximately 2 hours and 55 minutes.
Compréhension écrite (Reading)
- Questions: 50 multiple-choice
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Max score: 300 points
- Format: Passages with comprehension questions, ordered by increasing difficulty
Compréhension orale (Listening)
- Questions: 60 multiple-choice
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Max score: 360 points
- Format: Audio recordings with comprehension questions, ordered by increasing difficulty
Expression écrite (Writing)
- Tasks: 2 writing tasks
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Max score: 450 points
- Format: Article or report writing, and a formal letter or argumentative essay
Expression orale (Speaking)
- Tasks: 2 speaking tasks
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Max score: 450 points
- Format: Structured interview including a role-play scenario and a persuasive argument
How Syllabus Helps You Prepare
Practice that mirrors the real TEF Canada experience.
Instant NCLC Scores
Finish a practice test and see your estimated NCLC level for each skill immediately. No waiting days for results.
Detailed Feedback
Syllabus analyses your writing and speaking responses, highlighting grammar, vocabulary, coherence, and pronunciation areas to improve.
Unlimited Free Practice
Take as many full-length mock tests as you need. Syllabus's free tier gives you real scores for all four sections with no daily limits.
TEF Canada Scores & NCLC Levels
Your TEF Canada results map to NCLC levels used by IRCC. Higher NCLC levels mean more CRS points for Express Entry.
| NCLC Level | Reading (out of 300) | Listening (out of 360) | Writing (out of 450) | Speaking (out of 450) | Immigration Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NCLC 4 | 121–150 | 145–180 | 181–225 | 181–225 | Federal Skilled Trades (reading & writing minimum) |
| NCLC 5 | 151–180 | 181–216 | 226–270 | 226–270 | Federal Skilled Trades (listening & speaking min); second-language bonus threshold |
| NCLC 6 | 181–206 | 217–248 | 271–309 | 271–309 | Canadian Experience Class minimum |
| NCLC 7 | 207–232 | 249–279 | 310–348 | 310–348 | Federal Skilled Worker minimum; +50 CRS bilingual bonus (with CLB 5+ English) |
| NCLC 8 | 233–247 | 280–297 | 349–371 | 349–371 | Higher CRS language points |
| NCLC 9 | 248–262 | 298–315 | 372–392 | 372–392 | Near-maximum CRS language points |
| NCLC 10+ | 263–300 | 316–360 | 393–450 | 393–450 | Maximum CRS language points (up to 160 for first language) |
Score ranges based on IRCC equivalency charts. Always verify with the official IRCC language test page for the latest requirements.
TEF Canada — Key Facts
Fee
CA$350–CA$450 depending on test centre location.
Validity
Results are valid for 2 years from the test date.
Bilingual Bonus
A strong TEF Canada score combined with CLB 5+ in English can add up to 50 CRS points for Express Entry.
TEF vs TCF
Both TEF Canada and TCF Canada are accepted by IRCC. Choose based on availability and preference.
Administered By
The CCI Paris Île-de-France administers the TEF family of exams worldwide.
Citizenship
TEF Canada is accepted for Canadian citizenship applications (NCLC 4 minimum in speaking and listening).
Ready to Hit Your Target NCLC Score?
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