IRCC accepts both tests as proof of French for economic immigration and citizenship. They differ in format, timing and score scales. Here is how they compare, section by section.
Quick answer
IRCC accepts both TCF Canada and TEF Canada and converts both to NCLC levels. Choose the format that suits you and a test date that works for you. TCF Canada has three shorter writing tasks and a 12-minute speaking test. TEF Canada has two longer writing tasks and a 15-minute speaking test.
The main differences at a glance.
| Feature | TCF Canada | TEF Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Run by | France Éducation international | CCI Paris Île-de-France |
| Sections | 4, all compulsory | 4, all in one session for immigration (citizenship: Listening and Speaking only) |
| Listening | 39 questions · 35 min | 40 questions · 40 min |
| Reading | 39 questions · 60 min | 40 questions · 60 min |
| Writing | 3 tasks · 60 min | 2 sections · 60 min |
| Speaking | 3 tasks · 12 min, face to face | 2 sections · 15 min, face to face |
| Total test time | About 2 h 47 min | About 2 h 55 min |
| Wait before a retake | 20 days | Generally 30 days |
| Results | Within 15 working days | Usually 4–8 weeks (some centres 2–4 weeks) |
| Score scales | Listening and Reading 100–699; Writing and Speaking 0–20 | 0–699 per skill on the certificate. IRCC uses the old-score equivalent: Listening 0–360; Reading 0–300; Writing and Speaking 0–450 |
| Accepted by IRCC | Yes, converted to NCLC | Yes, converted to NCLC |
| Results valid for IRCC | 2 years | 2 years |
Why timing matters
For Express Entry candidates, timing matters. TCF Canada requires 20 days between two attempts, with results within 15 working days. TEF Canada centres generally require a 30-day wait before a retake, and results can take 4 to 8 weeks, though some centres quote 2 to 4 weeks. If you are trying to reach CLB 7 before a draw or a deadline, you can take the TCF more often and see your scores sooner.
Wait and result times vary by test centre. Check the current rules with your centre before you book.
What you do in each part of the two tests.
TCF Canada
39 multiple-choice questions in 35 minutes, from everyday exchanges to longer talks. The questions get harder as you go.
TEF Canada
40 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes, from short conversations and public announcements to interviews and radio segments. You answer in order and cannot go back.
TCF Canada
39 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes, from short notices to longer articles. The questions get harder as you go.
TEF Canada
40 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes: everyday documents, gap-fill sentences and texts, rapid reading across texts and graphs, administrative and professional documents, and press articles.
TCF Canada
Three tasks in 60 minutes: a short message (60–120 words), an article or account (120–150 words), and a comparison of two viewpoints (120–180 words).
TEF Canada
Two sections in 60 minutes: continue a news article (at least 80 words, 25 minutes), then express and justify a point of view (at least 200 words, 35 minutes).
TCF Canada
Three tasks in 12 minutes, face to face with an examiner: a guided interview, an interaction exercise, and giving your point of view.
TEF Canada
Two sections in 15 minutes, face to face with an examiner: ask questions to get information (5 minutes), then argue to convince (10 minutes).
IRCC converts both tests to the same NCLC levels. Compare the score you need on each test for your target level.
| NCLC | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10+ | 549–699 | 549–699 | 16–20 | 16–20 |
| 9 | 523–548 | 524–548 | 14–15 | 14–15 |
| 8 | 503–522 | 499–523 | 12–13 | 12–13 |
| 7 | 458–502 | 453–498 | 10–11 | 10–11 |
| 6 | 398–457 | 406–452 | 7–9 | 7–9 |
| 5 | 369–397 | 375–405 | 6 | 6 |
| 4 | 331–368 | 342–374 | 4–5 | 4–5 |
Source: IRCC. Check IRCC for the NCLC level your immigration program requires.
| NCLC | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 316–360 | 263–300 | 393–450 | 393–450 |
| 9 | 298–315 | 248–262 | 371–392 | 371–392 |
| 8 | 280–297 | 233–247 | 349–370 | 349–370 |
| 7 | 249–279 | 207–232 | 310–348 | 310–348 |
| 6 | 217–248 | 181–206 | 271–309 | 271–309 |
| 5 | 181–216 | 151–180 | 226–270 | 226–270 |
| 4 | 145–180 | 121–150 | 181–225 | 181–225 |
Source: IRCC. The TEF Canada certificate shows each skill out of 699; IRCC uses its “old-score equivalent” column, shown here.
Both tests lead to the same NCLC levels. Check test dates and fees at centres near you before you decide.
No. IRCC accepts both for economic immigration and citizenship, and converts both to NCLC levels.
Neither is officially easier. The formats differ, so pick the one that suits how you write and speak, then practise in that format.
Yes. IRCC accepts both TCF Canada and TEF Canada for citizenship applications.
IRCC accepts results that are less than two years old when you submit your application.
Not yet. TEF Canada practice is coming soon. You'll switch to it from your account, on the same plan.
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