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TEF vs TCF Canada: the differences, and which test suits you

TEF Canada (run by CCI Paris Île-de-France) and TCF Canada (run by France Éducation International) are both accepted for Express Entry, and both give an NCLC level in each of the four abilities. Speaking differs the most: the TEF is 15 minutes of two role-plays, the TCF 12 minutes of three tasks (an interview, a role-play, a 4 min 30 opinion). The whole test takes about 2 hours 55 minutes for the TEF and 2 hours 47 minutes for the TCF. Neither is officially "easier", so pick the format you speak best in.

The two speaking tests, side by side

TEF Canada (CCI Paris Île-de-France) TCF Canada (France Éducation International)
Length 15 minutes 12 minutes (includes 2 min of preparation for Task 2)
Format Face to face with one examiner, recorded Face to face with one examiner, recorded
Parts Section A (5 min): you phone the person who posted an ad and ask them around ten questions. Section B (10 min): you present an ad to a friend and try to convince them Task 1 (2 min): guided interview about you. Task 2 (3 min 30 after 2 min prep): you ask the questions in an everyday situation. Task 3 (4 min 30): you give and defend your opinion
Who the examiner plays A: the person who posted the ad. B: your friend, who isn't convinced 1: the examiner. 2: the other person in the situation. 3: the examiner, who chooses the question
Register A: a "formal situation" (vous). B: a "friendly situation" (tu) Set by the situation in Task 2 (vous with a bank adviser, tu with a friend); vous with the examiner in Tasks 1 and 3 (our advice: FEI doesn't set the register for these tasks)
Preparation time One minute to read each prompt, per the 2017 candidate manual (current official pages don't mention it, as of Nov 1, 2026) 2 minutes before Task 2; none for Tasks 1 and 3
Notes No notes, scratch paper or documents in the oral tests Scratch paper is provided for the speaking test (« des feuilles de brouillon », FEI candidate manual)
What's graded A: getting information, asking for clarification, a formal conversation. B: presenting, developing arguments, an informal conversation. Plus vocabulary, syntax and pronunciation Linguistic (vocabulary, grammar, ease, pronunciation, fluency), pragmatic (interaction, structure, coherence, topic development), sociolinguistic (fit to the situation)
Who marks Recorded "to allow a double evaluation" The examiner gives a first rating; a second FEI-trained marker rates the recording blind; a third marks it if the two differ a lot
Speaking score 0 to 699 (since Dec 11, 2023). For Express Entry you enter the "Équivalence ancien score" column, out of 450 for speaking 0 to 20
NCLC 7 in speaking 456–493/699, which is 310–348 in the old column 10–11/20

Sources: CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF presentation, test-day and results pages, 2024 sample speaking tasks, 2017 candidate manual) and the FEI candidate manual (version M, May 2025). Full guides: TEF Canada speaking and TCF Canada speaking.

The whole test, side by side

TEF Canada TCF Canada
Listening 40 multiple-choice questions, 40 min 39 multiple-choice questions, 35 min
Reading 40 multiple-choice questions, 1 h 39 multiple-choice questions, 60 min
Writing 2 sections, 1 h (A: 25 min, continue an article, 80 words min; B: 35 min, give and justify your view, 200 words min) 3 tasks, 60 min (1: a message, 60–120 words; 2: an article, letter or note, 120–150 words; 3: compare two views and give yours, 120–180 words)
Speaking 2 sections, 15 min, face to face 3 tasks, 12 min, face to face
Where and how At your test centre: listening, reading and writing on computer, speaking face to face At a centre approved by FEI: on paper or on computer, except speaking, which is face to face
Scales Each ability 0–699; Express Entry takes the "Équivalence ancien score" column (listening /360, reading /300, speaking and writing /450) Listening and reading 100–699; speaking and writing /20
Results CCI's pages don't give a delay (as of November 1, 2026) Within 15 business days (10 for computer-based multiple-choice-only sessions)
Retakes CCI's pages don't give a waiting period (as of November 1, 2026) 30 days between two sittings
Total test time About 2 hours 55 minutes (40 + 60 + 60 + 15 min; CCI doesn't state a total) 2 hours 47 minutes (35 + 60 + 60 + 12 min, FEI)
For Express Entry 4 compulsory parts, all on the same day 4 compulsory parts
NCLC 7, all four abilities (French category and French bonus points) Old-score column: listening 249–279, reading 207–232, speaking and writing 310–348 Listening 458–502, reading 453–498, speaking and writing 10–11/20
Fee Not listed on CCI's pages; set by your centre FEI's manual tells you to ask your centre for « le tarif »

Sources: CCI Paris Île-de-France TEF Canada presentation and passation pages; FEI's TCF candidate manual (version M, May 2025). Score charts: TEF Canada and TCF Canada. The NCLC 7 row (NCLC 7 on each test) matters for the French draws and the French bonus points; each Express Entry program has its own minimum (NCLC 4 to 7 depending on the program and the ability). See Express Entry French category.

Fees and dates come from each test centre, not from CCI or FEI. Check the centre's own page before you book.

Which one suits you?

There is no official pass rate or "easier" test to compare. What you can compare is the kind of speaking each test asks for. These are our pointers, by profile:

If you… Lean toward Why
Are good at asking clear, polite questions and keeping a conversation going TEF Canada All 15 minutes are conversation: you lead in Section A, you argue back in Section B
Like to persuade and can answer objections on the spot TEF Canada Section B is 10 minutes of convincing a friend who isn't convinced yet
Are more at ease talking about yourself and giving a structured opinion TCF Canada Task 1 is about you, Task 3 is a 4 min 30 opinion on a social question
Freeze when an examiner plays a character TCF Canada Only Task 2 is a role-play, and you get 2 minutes to prepare it
Prefer one longer argued text to several short ones (writing) TEF Canada TEF writing is 2 sections, the second a view argued in at least 200 words; TCF writing is 3 shorter tasks capped at 120, 150 and 180 words
Mix up tu and vous under pressure Either, with practice TEF switches from vous (A) to tu (B); TCF Task 2 can be either, depending on the situation
Need citizenship proof only Either; the TEF has a 2-part version IRCC's citizenship page lists TEF and TCF results at B1 or higher in listening and speaking. See French test for citizenship

A practical way to choose: do one full speaking task of each test out loud, timed, before you book (two are just below). Our TEF and TCF speaking practice test has both, with self-check lists.

One practice task of each, on the same theme

Both tasks below are about housing, so you can feel the difference in format. They are Niveau7 practice tasks written in each test's format, not exam items.

TEF Canada, Section A (tefA-001, 5 minutes, vous). You read an ad, then phone the person who posted it and ask around ten questions. The ad: « Grande chambre meublée et lumineuse dans un 5 ½ tranquille du quartier Villeray, à cinq minutes à pied du métro Jean-Talon et du marché. »

TCF Canada, Task 2 (tcf2-001, 2 minutes to prepare, then 3 min 30, vous): « Vous cherchez un appartement à Montréal. Vous visitez un 4 ½ dans le quartier Rosemont et vous posez des questions à la propriétaire pour savoir s’il vous convient. »

How each might start (example written by Niveau7, not a real candidate):

  • TEF A: « Bonjour Madame, je vous appelle au sujet de votre annonce pour la chambre près du métro Jean-Talon. Est-ce qu’elle est toujours disponible ? À partir de quand, exactement ? Et le loyer, combien est-il par mois ? »
  • TCF Task 2: « Bonjour Madame, merci de me faire visiter. Combien coûte le loyer par mois ? Le chauffage est-il compris ? Et l’appartement est libre à partir de quand ? »

What changes: in the TEF you have the ad in front of you and must keep the call going for 5 minutes; in the TCF you get 2 minutes to prepare and the role-play is shorter (3 min 30). After that, the tests split: the TEF's Section B switches to tu and 10 minutes of convincing a friend, while the TCF ends with a 4 min 30 opinion in front of the examiner. More tasks of each, with self-check lists: TEF and TCF speaking practice test.

Try both speaking tests with Niveau7

Try the TEF and the TCF speaking tasks with Niveau7 Do each task out loud, on the real clock, with an AI examiner who plays the part and never helps. Right after: an estimated NCLC (an estimate, not an official result), a level for each of the six criteria in Niveau7's report, and the three fixes worth most toward NCLC 7, on your own sentences. 7 days free, then a weekly or monthly plan, cancel anytime. Start your free week with the TEF task above · or with the TCF task

Frequently asked questions

Is the TEF or the TCF easier?

Neither body publishes pass rates that would let you compare, and the NCLC tables set the same level targets. The formats differ: TEF speaking is two role-plays (15 min), TCF speaking is an interview, a role-play and an opinion (12 min). Choose the format you speak best in.

Are both TEF Canada and TCF Canada accepted for Express Entry?

Yes. For French, IRCC's Express Entry language-testing page lists TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Results must be less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply for permanent residence.

Are TEF Canada and TCF Canada accepted for Quebec immigration?

They are the versions for IRCC's federal procedures. FEI's candidate manual points people applying for permanent immigration to Quebec (MIFI) to the TCF Québec, and CCI's TEF Canada page offers to point you to another TEF for other procedures. Check Quebec's own requirements before you book.

Can I take TEF Canada or TCF Canada online or at home?

CCI and FEI describe both tests as taken at a test centre (as of November 1, 2026). For the TEF Canada, listening, reading and writing are on a computer at the centre; for the TCF Canada, the centre uses paper or computer. Speaking is face to face with an examiner in both.

How soon do I get results, and when can I retake?

TCF Canada: results within 15 business days (10 for computer-based multiple-choice-only sessions), and 30 days between two sittings (FEI candidate manual). TEF Canada: CCI's pages don't give a results delay or a waiting period (as of November 1, 2026); ask your centre.

How long should I prepare?

Neither CCI nor FEI gives a figure. It depends on your starting level and on the NCLC you need. A plan for the TEF: TEF Canada preparation. The same comparison in French: TEF ou TCF (in French).

What speaking score is NCLC 7 on each test?

TCF Canada: at least 10 out of 20 (10–11 is the NCLC 7 band). TEF Canada: at least 456 out of 699 (band 456–493), which is at least 310 (band 310–348) in the "Équivalence ancien score" column that Express Entry uses.

Can I combine a TEF result with a TCF result?

Assume not. IRCC's language-testing page asks you to take "an approved language test" and gives a separate score table for each test; it doesn't provide for mixing abilities from two tests (as of November 1, 2026). Book one test, TEF Canada or TCF Canada, that covers all four abilities.

How much do the tests cost?

Neither CCI nor FEI publishes a single price: FEI's manual tells candidates to ask their centre for the fee, and CCI's TEF Canada pages don't list one (as of November 1, 2026). Check the centre's page before you book.

Sources

Last checked: November 1, 2026.

Niveau7 is an independent practice tool. It is not affiliated with France Éducation International (TCF Canada), CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF Canada) or IRCC.