TEF Canada Format Guide: Rules, Scoring & Exam Timing (2025)

TEF Canada is a French-language test used to prove your French ability for Canadian immigration and, in some cases, citizenship. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) lists approved Express Entry language tests, and TEF Canada is one of the designated French options.

This guide explains exactly what happens in each of the 4 TEF Canada skills—Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking—based on the official TEF Canada format published by the test provider, Le français des affaires, and the official examination instructions.

Which TEF Canada tests are required?

For most immigration uses (such as Express Entry), TEF Canada includes 4 compulsory tests: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. For a Canadian citizenship application, TEF Canada typically requires only 2 tests (listening and speaking), according to the official TEF Canada breakdown.

Important: The test provider explicitly states that all required tests must be taken on the same day for the certificate to be recognized by Canadian authorities.

Quick snapshot of the TEF Canada format

These timings, question counts, and task types come directly from the official TEF Canada test description.

Listening (Compréhension orale): what to expect

Format and timing

The listening test is an MCQ with 40 questions in 40 minutes. Each question has 4 answer choices with only one correct answer, as outlined in the official examination instructions.

Two critical rules define the listening section:

• No going back: You must answer as you go along; you cannot return to previous questions.
• One playback: Each audio track is played only once, with a short time to read before it starts and response time after.

How to train for the real test conditions

• Single-play habit: Do most of your listening practice with audio you play once. If you re-play tracks frequently during practice, you’ll build a habit you can’t use on test day.
• Question-first strategy: Because you get a few seconds to read, practice scanning the question quickly (what’s the topic? what detail do you need?) before the audio begins.
• Choose and move: If you’re stuck, pick the best option and move on. You won’t get a second pass.

Reading (Compréhension écrite): what to expect

Format and timing

The reading test is an MCQ with 40 questions in 1 hour (4 choices per question, one correct). Unlike listening, you can navigate freely within the questionnaire, allowing you to review answers.

The exam platform may show the reading questions across multiple screens (including instruction/transition screens), as noted in the exam-day guidelines.

Practical pacing targets

With 40 questions in 60 minutes, a simple pacing target is about 1.5 minutes per question on average. Because you can move around, your best strategy is usually:

• Answer quick questions immediately.
• Mark harder ones mentally and return later.
• Keep a “last 10 minutes” buffer to review.

What to practice (skills that actually show up)

• Skimming: Quickly finding the main idea and structure (titles, headings, connectors like “cependant”, “en revanche”).
• Scanning: Locating names, dates, numbers, or specific facts.
• Vocabulary in context: Understanding meaning from surrounding sentences—especially in formal or administrative French.

Writing (Expression écrite): what to expect

Format and timing

Writing lasts 1 hour total and is divided into two sections (A and B):

• Section A (25 minutes): Write the continuation of an article (80 words minimum).
• Section B (35 minutes): Express and justify a point of view (200 words minimum).

This structure and the minimum word counts are specified in the TEF Canada format details.

Computer-based writing and French accents

The provider states that reading, listening, and writing are computer-based. If your keyboard doesn’t easily type French characters (é, è, ê, ç, à), the platform provides a virtual keyboard for special characters.

What examiners are looking for

The TEF provider explains that the written expression test is evaluated by trained assessors using standardized criteria (communication, vocabulary, grammar, organization) on the official TEF results page.

A practical way to align your practice with those criteria:

• Section A: Keep the tone consistent with the original text, use clear chronology, and connect ideas with simple linking words.
• Section B: Use a clear structure (position → 2–3 reasons → example → conclusion), and show control of formal connectors (parce que, donc, en effet, cependant).
• Word-count discipline: Practice hitting 90–120 words for A and 220–260 words for B so you’re safely above the minimum.

Speaking (Expression orale): what to expect

Format and timing

Speaking is 15 minutes total, divided into two sections (A and B):

• Section A (5 minutes): Obtaining information (asking questions).
• Section B (10 minutes): Expressing an argument to convince a friend.

This exact structure appears in the official TEF Canada format description.

Face-to-face interview and recording

The speaking test takes place face-to-face with an examiner and is systematically recorded for double assessment, according to the official scoring explanation.

How to practice so you sound “test-ready”

• Section A drills: Role-play real situations where you must ask for details politely (dates, prices, conditions, steps). Train question forms: “Est-ce que…?”, “Pourriez-vous…?”, “J’aimerais savoir…”.
• Section B drills: Pick a simple opinion question and speak for 60–90 seconds using a structure: position → reason 1 → reason 2 → example → short conclusion.
• Clarity over complexity: A clean, well-organized argument with fewer errors often scores better than a messy argument with advanced vocabulary.

Scoring, results, and validity (what you’ll actually receive)

MCQ scoring basics

For listening and reading, the TEF provider states the scoring rule is +1 for a correct answer and 0 for a wrong answer or no answer. There are no negative points, as confirmed on the Understand Your Results page. The provider also notes that raw correct answers are converted into a calibrated score.

What your certificate includes

The TEF provider explains that your certificate shows a score for each test on a 0–699 scale, and it includes levels aligned to frameworks such as the CEFR and the Canadian Language Benchmarks / NCLC, as detailed on the official results page.

When you get results and how

According to the TEF Canada journey page, results are typically sent within approximately 2 weeks and are delivered through an online digital safe (no paper certificate is issued).

How long results stay valid for IRCC uses

IRCC states that language test results generally must be less than 2 years old when you apply. For Express Entry, they must be less than 2 years old when you complete your profile and submit your application, as explained on IRCC’s Express Entry language test page.

How to Enter TEF Scores for Express Entry (Old Score Equivalence)

If you’re using TEF Canada for Express Entry, IRCC requires you to enter your scores in your online profile carefully. The TEF provider explicitly instructs candidates to use the scores listed in the “Old score equivalence” column of their results certificate, not the main score, according to official TEF Canada results guidance.

For NCLC level equivalencies, IRCC provides official conversion tables for TEF Canada scores depending on when you took the test (including updates after December 10, 2023) on IRCC’s TEF Canada NCLC tables.

Exam-day rules that affect your strategy

The day-of-exam procedures and rules matter because they change what you can do during the test. The provider lists key rules in the TEF Canada examination instructions, including:

• Bring valid ID and follow the test center’s check-in steps.
• Phones and electronic devices must be switched off.
• No dictionary or reference materials.
• No contact with other candidates.
• No drafts/notes allowed during the computer-based tests (reading/listening) or speaking.
• No late entry once the test has started.

A practical 4-week prep template

Week 1: Build your baseline

• Do 2 timed listening sets (single-play only) and record your accuracy.
• Do 2 timed reading sets and track how many questions you finish in 60 minutes.
• Write one Section A (25 min) and one Section B (35 min) using the word minimums from the TEF Canada writing format.
• Do 3 speaking recordings: 5 minutes “information” + 2 minutes argument summary.

Week 2: Fix timing problems

• Listening: Practice answering quickly after audio—no pauses, no rewind.
• Reading: Aim to finish a first pass of all questions with 10 minutes left for review.
• Writing: Practice outlines (3–5 lines) before typing so your text is organized.
• Speaking: Practice structured arguments (position → reasons → example → conclusion).

Week 3: Increase difficulty and consistency

• Do at least one full “mini-simulation” on a single day: listening + reading + writing (back-to-back).
• For speaking, rehearse both sections with a friend or tutor who can ask follow-up questions.
• Track your error types (grammar, vocabulary, misunderstanding, time pressure) and focus on the top 2.

Week 4: Final exam-mode practice

• Do 2 full timed sets for listening and reading under strict conditions.
• Do 2 full writing sessions and check word count quickly before submitting.
• Do 2 full speaking role-plays (A and B) and focus on clarity and confidence.

Next steps: register and choose a test center

If you’re ready to book, the TEF provider explains that you register through an official test center and that fees are set by each center on the official TEF Canada registration page. You can locate sessions through the official “Find a center” tool.

Age note: The registration conditions state you must be at least 16 years old to sit the exam, as shown in the TEF Canada registration guidance.