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TCF Canada Preparation Course 2026

This course is for adults preparing for TCF Canada, a French test that IRCC accepts for Express Entry. Five lessons in English explain the test format and scoring, then build listening, reading, writing and speaking skills with French texts, recordings and model answers. Each lesson has an untimed topic quiz, and a timed final assessment unlocks a certificate of completion when you score 80% or more.

  • Course
  • Canada
  • 88 questions
  • Checked October 13, 2026
  • Fact-checked October 13, 2026

Quick answer

This free course has about 300 minutes of lessons, 5 untimed topic quizzes (88 questions in all) and a timed final assessment of 35 questions drawn at random. Score 80% or more on the final assessment to download a certificate of completion (private, not accredited). Checked against official sources on October 13, 2026.

Start with the lessonsTCF Canada Preparation Course: Lessons: about 300 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Describe the four TCF Canada tests, their timing and their number of questions
  • Convert TCF Canada scores to NCLC levels with IRCC's equivalency chart
  • Catch times, changes, opinions and attitudes in spoken French
  • Find key details, links between ideas and a writer's position in French texts
  • Write formal and informal French messages and a short opinion text
  • Ask questions, give opinions and handle problems politely when speaking French

Score 80% or more to download your certificate.

Your study plan

Read each lesson, take its topic quiz (untimed, with explanations), then the timed final assessment. A new mix of questions is drawn every time. Your progress is saved in this browser.

  1. Read the lessons5 lessons, about 300 min
  2. Topic quiz 1: TCF Canada format and scoring16 questions
  3. Topic quiz 2: TCF Canada: Compréhension orale (listening)18 questions
  4. Topic quiz 3: TCF Canada: Compréhension écrite (reading)20 questions
  5. Topic quiz 4: TCF Canada: Expression écrite (writing)17 questions
  6. Topic quiz 5: TCF Canada: Expression orale (speaking)17 questions
  7. Final exam35 questions, 40 min · Score 80% or more

Topic quiz 1: TCF Canada format and scoring

  1. Question 1 of 16

    How many separate tests (épreuves) make up TCF Canada?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Four

    TCF Canada has four tests: compréhension orale, compréhension écrite, expression orale and expression écrite.

  2. Question 2 of 16

    Which two TCF Canada tests check how well you understand French?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Compréhension orale and compréhension écrite

    Compréhension means understanding: orale is listening and écrite is reading. Expression means producing language (speaking and writing).

  3. Question 3 of 16

    How many questions are in the TCF Canada compréhension orale (listening) test?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 39

    The listening test has 39 questions in 35 minutes. Other versions of the TCF have different numbers, so check that you study for TCF Canada.

  4. Question 4 of 16

    How long is the TCF Canada compréhension écrite (reading) test?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. 60 minutes

    The reading test has 39 questions in 60 minutes. 35 minutes is the listening test.

  5. Question 5 of 16

    How long is the TCF Canada expression orale (speaking) test?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 12 minutes

    The speaking test lasts 12 minutes and covers 3 subjects.

  6. Question 6 of 16

    What does the TCF Canada expression écrite (writing) test ask you to do?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Write on 3 required topics in 60 minutes

    The writing test has 3 mandatory topics and lasts 60 minutes.

  7. Question 7 of 16

    Add up the official times of the four TCF Canada tests. What is the total?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 167 minutes

    35 + 60 + 12 + 60 = 167 minutes. 155 forgets the 12-minute speaking test, and 107 forgets the 60-minute writing test.

  8. Question 8 of 16

    How many questions are there in the two comprehension tests together?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 78

    Each comprehension test has 39 questions, and 39 + 39 = 78.

  9. Question 9 of 16

    In the listening test (39 questions in 35 minutes), about how much time is there per question on average?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. About 54 seconds

    35 minutes is 2,100 seconds, and 2,100 ÷ 39 ≈ 54 seconds. About 1 minute 32 seconds is the reading test's pace (3,600 ÷ 39).

  10. Question 10 of 16

    In IRCC's equivalency chart, what is the highest TCF Canada score shown for reading and listening?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 699

    IRCC's chart shows reading and listening scores up to 699. Writing and speaking scores go up to 20.

  11. Question 11 of 16

    In IRCC's equivalency chart, what is the highest TCF Canada score shown for writing and speaking?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 20

    Writing and speaking are shown on a scale that goes up to 20 (NCLC 10 is 16–20). The 699 scale is for reading and listening.

  12. Question 12 of 16

    Your listening score is 500 and your reading score is also 500. Using IRCC's chart, what are your NCLC levels?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Listening NCLC 7, reading NCLC 8

    Listening NCLC 7 is 458–502, but reading NCLC 8 starts at 499. The two skills have different score ranges, so always use the right column.

  13. Question 13 of 16

    Your speaking score is 13. Using IRCC's chart, what is your NCLC level for speaking?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. NCLC 8

    For speaking, NCLC 8 is a score of 12–13. NCLC 9 starts at 14.

  14. Question 14 of 16

    Your writing score is 6. Using IRCC's chart, what is your NCLC level for writing?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. NCLC 5

    For writing, a score of exactly 6 is NCLC 5. NCLC 6 is 7–9 and NCLC 4 is 4–5.

  15. Question 15 of 16

    For Express Entry, how old can your language test results be?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you apply

    IRCC says results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your Express Entry profile and when you submit your permanent residence application.

  16. Question 16 of 16

    What does a practice score in this course tell you?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Feedback on your practice, not an official TCF Canada result

    Only an official TCF Canada result counts for IRCC. Practice scores here only help you see what to study next.

What to know before the test

  • IRCC lists TCF Canada and TEF Canada as the approved French tests for Express Entry.
  • TCF Canada has four tests: listening (39 questions, 35 minutes), reading (39 questions, 60 minutes), speaking (3 subjects, 12 minutes) and writing (3 mandatory topics, 60 minutes).
  • In IRCC's equivalency chart, TCF Canada reading and listening scores go up to 699, and writing and speaking scores go up to 20.
  • For NCLC 7, IRCC's chart needs 453–498 in reading, 458–502 in listening, and 10–11 in writing and in speaking.
  • Reading and listening use different score ranges: for example, NCLC 9 starts at 524 in reading but at 523 in listening.
  • For Express Entry, results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your profile and when you submit your permanent residence application.
  • The TCF describes French on a 6-level scale that matches the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

Frequently asked questions

Is this the official TCF Canada?

No. This is an independent preparation course. All texts, recordings and questions are original and only practise the skills the test checks. For official information and registration, go to France Éducation international or an approved test centre.

What does the certificate of completion show?

It shows that you finished this course and scored at least 80% on its final assessment. It is not a TCF Canada result or an NCLC level, and IRCC does not accept it as proof of French.

Can my practice score tell me my NCLC level?

No. Only official TCF Canada scores convert to NCLC levels with IRCC's chart. Practice scores here are feedback that shows you what to study next.

How do the listening questions work?

Your device reads each French script aloud in a French (France) voice. Press play, listen, then answer. The script appears after you answer, so you can check what you missed. If your device has no sound, you can read the script instead.

Are the instructions in French or English?

Instructions, questions and explanations are in plain English. Practice texts, recordings and most answer options are in French, because that is the language you will be tested in.

How long is the final assessment?

It has 35 questions in 40 minutes, drawn at random from all five topics, so every attempt is different. Score 80% or more to unlock the certificate.

Is the certificate accredited or officially recognised?

No. It is a private certificate of completion for knowledge only. It is not recognised, accredited or approved by any government, licensing body, regulator or educational institution, and it does not replace any licence, certification or training required by law.

Sources

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