TEF Canada Guide (2025): Format, NCLC 7 Scores & Express Entry Points

The TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français) is a designated language test approved by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Express Entry and citizenship applications. Achieving a high score—specifically NCLC 7—can significantly boost your CRS score and make you eligible for French-language category draws.

If you are learning French to immigrate, this test serves two primary purposes: confirming your basic eligibility and unlocking up to 50 additional points that can drastically change your ranking.

This guide explains exactly when TEF Canada is the right test, what is on it, how IRCC calculates your results, and how to plan your preparation so your French becomes measurable (in NCLC levels) and useful for immigration.

What is TEF Canada (and when should you take it)?

TEF Canada is a French proficiency test delivered by the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry network (“Le français des affaires”). It is specifically designed to assess your linguistic skills for Canadian immigration and citizenship. You can review the test specifications on the official TEF Canada presentation page.

For Canadian federal immigration programs (including Express Entry), IRCC lists TEF Canada as one of the designated language tests. The only other accepted French option is TCF Canada, managed by France Éducation international, which you can compare on the official TCF Canada website.

1. TEF Canada vs. TEF Québec (TEFAQ)

While both exams are created by the same provider (CCI Paris), they serve completely different government bodies. Your choice depends entirely on where you intend to live.

2. TEF Canada vs. TCF Canada

If you are applying for Federal Express Entry (or Citizenship), you have two valid options: TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Both have the same validity (2 years) and both map to the same CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) levels. However, their formats differ significantly.

Detailed Comparison

Which one should you choose?

• Choose TEF Canada if: You are comfortable with creative writing (narrative) and prefer having fewer tasks to focus on during the Speaking/Writing sections.
• Choose TCF Canada if: You are good at quick time management and prefer shorter, structured tasks. Some candidates find the TCF Listening section slightly more standard (standard French accent) compared to TEF.

How TEF Canada Boosts Your Express Entry Profile

Express Entry utilizes your language test results in two distinct ways:

• Eligibility: You must meet the minimum language threshold for your specific program (Federal Skilled Worker, Canadian Experience Class, or Federal Skilled Trades).
• Ranking (CRS score): Higher proficiency increases your Comprehensive Ranking System score. French proficiency specifically can trigger bonus points.

Minimum language levels (Program Eligibility)

IRCC publishes the specific CLB/NCLC thresholds for each program on the language test results page. In summary:

• Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): Minimum NCLC 7 in all four abilities.
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Depends on your job's TEER category. TEER 0/1 jobs require NCLC 7; TEER 2/3 jobs require NCLC 5.
• Federal Skilled Trades (FSTP): Requires NCLC 5 in Speaking and Listening, and NCLC 4 in Reading and Writing, as detailed in the FSTP language requirements.

How French can increase your CRS score

IRCC awards up to 50 additional CRS points for strong French skills. The official CRS criteria breakdown outlines the two tiers:

• 25 additional points: If you score NCLC 7+ in all four French abilities and your English is CLB 4 or lower (or you have no English test).
• 50 additional points: If you score NCLC 7+ in all four French abilities and your English is CLB 5+ in all four abilities.

IRCC explicitly encourages bilingual candidates to utilize these points on their Francophone immigration campaign page, noting that you benefit even if French is your second language.

French-language category-based selection

Distinct from standard CRS points, IRCC conducts targeted invitation rounds for candidates with French proficiency. To be eligible for this category, you must possess valid test results showing a minimum of NCLC 7 in all four abilities. Details can be found on the eligibility for category-based selection page.

Invitation rounds occur periodically; you can track previous draw scores on the rounds of invitations summary page.

TEF Canada Test Format

For Canadian immigration, you must take the "TEF Canada" version, which includes four mandatory tests. The structure is strictly defined on the test presentation page and in the administration guidelines.

1) Reading (Compréhension écrite)

• 40 questions
• 60 minutes
• Format: Multiple choice (QCM)

2) Listening (Compréhension orale)

• 40 questions
• 40 minutes
• Format: Multiple choice (QCM). Audio is played once, and you answer immediately, as noted in the test-day rules.

3) Writing (Expression écrite)

• 2 sections in 60 minutes
• Section A: Continue a news article (min. 80 words).
• Section B: Present and justify an opinion (min. 200 words).

4) Speaking (Expression orale)

• Face-to-face interview (or computer-mediated in some centers)
• 15 minutes total
• Section A: Obtain information regarding an advertisement.
• Section B: Argue to convince a friend regarding a proposal.
• Per the official administration page, this section is recorded for evaluation.

Important: You must take all four modules on the same day for your attestation to be valid for Canadian immigration (see TEF Canada conditions).

Understanding Results: NCLC Levels

Canada uses the NCLC (Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) standard. Your raw TEF scores must be converted to NCLC levels.

IRCC provides the official conversion charts on the language test results page.

A common Express Entry mistake

Your TEF attestation may display a raw score (e.g., out of 699).

Do not enter this number directly into the NCLC field in your profile. You must first find the corresponding NCLC level (e.g., Level 7, Level 8) using the official equivalency table and enter that level.

TEF Canada to NCLC conversion table (Express Entry)

The table below is the IRCC conversion grid shown on the Express Entry language test results page for TEF Canada. Use it to understand what NCLC level your scores represent. Source: IRCC (TEF Canada NCLC grid)

If you tested between December 11, 2023 and May 6, 2024

IRCC adjusted the score equivalencies during this period. If your test date falls in this window, refer to the specific alert on the language results page to ensure your Express Entry profile reflects the correct values.

Validity Period

For Express Entry, language test results are valid for two years from the date of the test result. IRCC confirms this within the CRS score tool instructions. TEF also outlines the validity on their registration conditions page.

How to Register for TEF Canada

1. Locate an approved center using the TEF find a center tool.
2. Contact the center to book a session. TEF reports over 500 centers globally on their registration page.
3. Wait for your "convocation" (official email invite), as explained in the registration steps.
4. Verify you are booked for the "TEF Canada" package (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking).

Fees

Exam fees are not centralized; they are determined by the local test center. Check the pricing directly with your chosen center via the registration information.

Test-Day Checklist

Strict rules apply on exam day. You can review ID requirements on the conditions page and prohibited items (dictionaries, electronics) on the administration page.

• Bring: Valid government photo ID and your convocation email.
• Expect: Computer-based Reading, Listening, and Writing; face-to-face Speaking.
• Timing: Arrive early; late arrival usually results in disqualification.

Study Plan: How to Reach NCLC 7 in 8 Weeks

Instead of general French study, focus on the specific skills TEF Canada measures. Express Entry requires a minimum score in each ability, so a balanced approach is critical.

Weeks 1–2: Familiarization & Baseline

• Review the task examples on the test format page.
• Target: NCLC 7 in all skills.
• Conduct timed mini-sessions: 20 min Listening, 20 min Reading.

Weeks 3–6: Section-Specific Training

Listening (Compréhension orale)

• Train for "one-pass" listening. You cannot replay audio, per official listening rules.
• Identify distractors in multiple-choice questions.

Reading (Compréhension écrite)

• Practice speed reading. You have 60 minutes for 40 questions (see timing details).
• Focus on logical connectors (cependant, par contre) to track arguments quickly.

Writing (Expression écrite)

• Master the two tasks: the 80-word continuation and the 200-word argument, as defined in the writing section.
• Structure Task B: Intro → Argument 1 → Argument 2 → Counter-argument → Conclusion.

Speaking (Expression orale)

• Roleplay the "formal info gathering" and "informal persuasion" tasks described in the speaking format.
• Record yourself to check for hesitation and variety of vocabulary.

Weeks 7–8: Full Simulations

• Simulate the full exam duration to build stamina.
• Verify your practice scores against IRCC’s conversion tables.
• Input your projected scores into the CRS tool to see the impact of hitting NCLC 7.

FAQ: TEF Canada for Immigration

Is TEF Canada accepted for Express Entry?

Yes. IRCC lists TEF Canada as a designated test on the language acceptance page.

Do I need all four sections?

Yes. For immigration, you generally need results for all four abilities. The TEF Canada package is designed to include these mandatory tests, as noted on the test format page.

How long are results valid?

Results must be less than two years old when you submit your application.

Can I get points if French is my second language?

Yes. The Francophone Express Entry initiative and CRS structure reward French proficiency regardless of your native language.

Next Steps

1. Verify TEF Canada is suitable for your immigration path via the IRCC approved tests list.
2. Book your test early using the official center finder.
3. Aim for NCLC 7 across all four skills to maximize points.
4. Convert your results using official tables before creating your profile.