French Exams
TEFTest d’évaluation de français
A French proficiency test with distinct study, Canadian, Québec and French administrative versions.
- Provider
- Le français des affaires, CCI Paris Île-de-France
- Levels
- A1–C2; TEF IRN assesses A1–B2
- Result validity
- Two years
- Assessment
- Required modules depend on the version and purpose
What TEF certifies
TEF assesses French proficiency for different academic and administrative pathways. Match the version and required components to your goal.
TEF gives a current proficiency result, rather than a permanent selected-level diploma. Receiving institutions and authorities set the accepted version, components and target result. TEF Canada and TEF Québec serve different procedures.
Who is it for?
- Applicants needing an accepted French proficiency result for a study application.
- Candidates following a Canadian, Québec or French administrative process that specifies the relevant TEF version.
Choose the right TEF version
Which version does your requirement name?
Start with the university, employer or authority that will receive your result.
TEF Études
For school or higher-education applications in France and other French-speaking settings. Five modules are available. For the French DAP procedure, reading, listening, vocabulary/structures and writing are required; speaking is optional for that procedure. Other institutions set their own requirements.
Official version informationTEF Canada
For Canadian immigration and citizenship procedures. Immigration requires four skills on the same day; the organizer specifies listening and speaking for citizenship. Check the requirements for your particular application.
Official version informationTEF Québec / TEFAQ
A modular test for Québec immigration purposes. The relevant programme determines the required components. TEF Québec is not accepted by IRCC for federal Canadian immigration.
Official version informationTEF IRN
Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité: for relevant French integration, residence and nationality language procedures. Four compulsory skills assess A1–B2. This is not the higher-education version.
Official version informationUnderstand the test format
Skills and timing depend on your version. Use the table to compare the required components.
- Listening
- Reading
- Writing
- Speaking
Scroll sideways on a small screen to read every component and timing.
| Version | Components | Test time | Before registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| TEF Études | Reading, listening, vocabulary/structures, writing and speaking modules. | Depends on required modules; vocabulary/structures: 30 min. | Ask the institution which modules and result it requires. |
| TEF Canada | For immigration: reading, listening, writing and speaking. | 60 + 40 + 60 + 15 min. | All required skills must be taken on the same day. |
| TEF Québec / TEFAQ | One to four modules according to the Québec procedure. | Depends on the required modules. | Check the specific Québec programme; do not substitute it for TEF Canada. |
| TEF IRN | Reading, listening, writing and speaking. | 30 + 20 + 30 + 10 min: 1 h 30. | Check the current French procedure and any applicable exemptions. |
TEF Canada reading and listening use multiple-choice questions; writing and speaking each have two sections. TEF IRN has a separate format, updated in April 2025. Use preparation materials for your exact version.
Understand your results
TEF results are valid for two years. Check the dates on your certificate and the receiving authority’s rules. For immigration, the required level and result-age rules depend on the programme; a result does not guarantee an application outcome.
Prepare for your version
- Confirm the exact TEF version, required modules and target result before planning your preparation.
- Work through the organizer’s current examples and tutorials to practise the digital test format.
- Practise timed writing and spoken role plays: asking for information and presenting a clear argument.
- Use the separate TEF IRN examples if that is your version; do not assume Canada or Études tasks are identical.
Check before registering
Book through an approved TEF centre, which confirms the session, identification requirements and fee. Contact CDI to confirm which variants and services are currently available; preparation, registration assistance and authorized administration are separate services.
Provider information explains the exam; it does not establish CDI authorisation or an available local session. Confirm the version, accepted result, identification requirements, dates and fees with the relevant organiser or authorised centre.
Official practice & information
Alicante, Spain
Ask CDI about TEF
Tell us your goal, the exam or version you are considering, your current French level if known and any target deadline. We will confirm the relevant CDI service before you make arrangements.
Contact CDIExam administration, registration assistance and preparation are separate services. Availability must be confirmed for your chosen version.
Compare the examsTEF questions
Are TEF Canada and TEF Québec the same?
No. They serve different procedures. The organizer states that TEF Québec is not accepted by IRCC for federal Canadian immigration. Confirm the exact version with the relevant authority.
Do I always need all five TEF modules?
No. Required components depend on the version and purpose. TEF Études offers five modules, while the DAP procedure requires four. Ask the receiving institution what it requires.
How long are TEF results valid?
Two years. Check the dates printed on your certificate and any additional result-age rule imposed by the receiving institution or authority.
Can CDI arrange my TEF exam or preparation?
Contact CDI to confirm the variant, current availability and scope of support. Do not assume that preparation, registration assistance and taking an exam at the centre are all included.