🍁 TCF vs TEF Canada
Both TCF Canada and TEF Canada are accepted equally by IRCC for Express Entry and citizenship — neither gives you an advantage on paper. Here's exactly how they differ in format, timing, scoring, and price, so you can pick the one that suits you.
Last updated: October 30, 2026
| TCF Canada | TEF Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Administered by | France Éducation international | CCI Paris Île-de-France (Le français des affaires) |
| Total duration | ~2h47 | ~2h55 |
| Listening | 35 min, 39 questions, scored 100–699 | 40 min, 40 questions (since Sept. 2025), scored 0–360 |
| Reading | 60 min, 39 questions, scored 100–699 | 60 min, 40 questions, scored 0–300 |
| Writing | 60 min, 3 tasks (email, narrative, compare viewpoints), scored 0–20 | 60 min, 2 tasks (fait divers 80+ words, argumentative 200+ words), scored 0–450 |
| Speaking | 12 min, 3 tasks, recorded, scored 0–20 | 15 min, 2 tasks (obtain information, argue to convince), scored 0–450 |
| Accepted for Express Entry / citizenship | Yes | Yes |
| Typical price (Canada, 2026) | ≈ CAD 300–450 | ≈ CAD 390–460 |
| Test centre availability | Alliance Française network, widely available | Alliance Française / designated centres, widely available |
Sources: France Éducation international (TCF Canada), Le français des affaires / CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF Canada), canada.ca IRCC test equivalency charts. Prices and formats change — always confirm current details with the test provider before registering.
For Express Entry, NCLC conversion, and the French CRS bonus, it makes no difference which test you take — both map to the same NCLC scale. The real decision is about format fit:
Try a free sample of each before deciding: TCF Canada exemple and TEF Canada exemple.
Neither is inherently easier — both test the same real-world French skills for immigration purposes, just with different task formats and scoring scales. TCF's writing/speaking are scored 0–20; TEF's are scored 0–450. Your choice should depend on which format and task style suits you, and which test centre is more convenient.
Yes — Express Entry and most Canadian immigration/citizenship pathways accept either TCF Canada or TEF Canada results for French-language proficiency, mapped to the same NCLC scale.
If you prefer multiple-choice listening/reading with shorter, more numerous writing/speaking tasks, TCF Canada's format may suit you. If you prefer fewer, longer writing/speaking tasks (an argumentative essay, a persuasion dialogue), TEF Canada may suit you. Try both exemple pages (linked below) and see which format feels more natural before registering.
Yes, nothing stops you from switching — your French proficiency transfers between formats. The main cost is re-familiarizing yourself with the new task types, which a short mock exam in the new format (see below) can shorten significantly.