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TEF Canada Preparation Course 2026

This course is for people preparing for TEF Canada, the French test recognized by IRCC for immigration and citizenship. Five lessons in English explain the format and scoring and how to handle listening, reading, writing and speaking, with French practice texts, model answers and exercises. Each lesson has an untimed topic quiz, and a timed 40-question final assessment unlocks a certificate of completion when you score 80% or more.

  • Course
  • Canada
  • 84 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 (84 questions in all) and a timed final assessment of 40 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 lessonsTEF Canada Preparation Course: Lessons: about 300 minutes of reading. Every test question is covered in the lessons.

What you will learn

  • Describe the four TEF Canada tests, their timing and how they are scored
  • Convert "Équivalence ancien score" results to NCLC levels with IRCC's table
  • Follow French announcements, conversations, interviews and radio segments heard only once
  • Read everyday, administrative and press documents quickly and accurately
  • Write a news-story continuation and an argued opinion that meet the minimum word counts
  • Ask for information and persuade someone in a French role-play

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: TEF Canada format and scoring16 questions
  3. Topic quiz 2: TEF Canada: Compréhension orale (listening)18 questions
  4. Topic quiz 3: TEF Canada: Compréhension écrite (reading)18 questions
  5. Topic quiz 4: TEF Canada: Expression écrite (writing)16 questions
  6. Topic quiz 5: TEF Canada: Expression orale (speaking)16 questions
  7. Final exam40 questions, 45 min · Score 80% or more

Topic quiz 1: TEF Canada format and scoring

  1. Question 1 of 16

    How many tests (épreuves) must you take in TEF Canada for an immigration application?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Four

    For immigration, TEF Canada has four mandatory tests: reading, listening, writing and speaking.

  2. Question 2 of 16

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

    Answer: B. 60 minutes

    The reading test has 40 multiple-choice questions in 1 hour.

  3. Question 3 of 16

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

    Answer: A. 40

    The listening test has 40 multiple-choice questions in 40 minutes.

  4. Question 4 of 16

    Which TEF Canada test is done face to face with an examiner?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Expression orale (speaking)

    Reading, listening and writing are done on a computer. Speaking is a face-to-face test with an examiner.

  5. Question 5 of 16

    In the reading and listening tests, what happens if you choose a wrong answer?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. It earns 0 points

    A correct answer earns 1 point, and a wrong or blank answer earns 0. Nothing is taken away, so always choose an answer.

  6. Question 6 of 16

    For Canadian citizenship, which two TEF Canada tests are required?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Listening and speaking

    The citizenship version has two mandatory tests: compréhension orale (listening) and expression orale (speaking).

  7. Question 7 of 16

    What must you do so that Canadian authorities recognize your TEF Canada results?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Take all your tests on the same day

    The test owner says all tests must be taken on the same day for the certificate to be recognized by Canadian authorities.

  8. Question 8 of 16

    Your TEF Canada attestation gives a score for each test on which scale?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. 0 to 699

    Each test gets a score from 0 to 699, plus a CEFR level (A1 to C2) and an NCLC level (1 to 12).

  9. Question 9 of 16

    How long is a TEF Canada results certificate (attestation) valid?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 2 years from the date it is issued

    The attestation is valid for 2 years from its date of issue.

  10. Question 10 of 16

    How long must you wait before you take the same TEF test again?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. 20 days

    You may retake the test as often as you like, but you cannot take the same test twice within 20 days.

  11. Question 11 of 16

    After the test, when are TEF Canada results usually sent?
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Within 1 to 10 working days

    The test owner says results are sent within 1 to 10 working days, by email with a link to download the attestation.

  12. Question 12 of 16

    How are your two writing texts marked?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Each text is marked by two trained correctors

    Each writing text is assessed by two independent, trained correctors who use a standard grid.

  13. Question 13 of 16

    Which TEF Canada score do you enter in your IRCC online profile?
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The score in the "Équivalence ancien score" column

    IRCC says to enter only the "Équivalence ancien score" results. Its system does not accept the "Score / 699" results.

  14. Question 14 of 16

    Using IRCC's table, a reading result (Équivalence ancien score) of 240 matches which NCLC level?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. NCLC 8

    In IRCC's table, reading scores from 233 to 247 are NCLC 8.

  15. Question 15 of 16

    Using IRCC's table, what is the lowest listening result (Équivalence ancien score) that counts as NCLC 7?
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 249

    IRCC lists listening scores from 249 to 279 as NCLC 7. 310 is the lowest NCLC 7 score for speaking and writing, not listening.

  16. Question 16 of 16

    A candidate needs NCLC 7 in all four skills. Her results (Équivalence ancien score) are: reading 233, listening 280, writing 349, speaking 300. Which skill is below NCLC 7?
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Speaking

    In IRCC's table, speaking needs at least 310 for NCLC 7, so 300 is NCLC 6. Her other three results are NCLC 8.

What to know before the test

  • For immigration, TEF Canada has four mandatory tests: reading, listening, writing and speaking. For citizenship, only listening and speaking are required.
  • Reading has 40 multiple-choice questions in 60 minutes and listening has 40 in 40 minutes. A correct answer gives 1 point; a wrong or blank answer gives 0.
  • Writing lasts 60 minutes: Section A (25 minutes, at least 80 words) and Section B (35 minutes, at least 200 words). Speaking lasts 15 minutes: Section A (5 minutes) and Section B (10 minutes).
  • Reading, listening and writing are taken on a computer. Speaking is face to face with an examiner and is recorded for double evaluation.
  • All tests must be taken on the same day for the certificate to be recognized by Canadian authorities.
  • The attestation gives each test a score from 0 to 699, a CEFR level and an NCLC level. For IRCC, you enter the scores in the "Équivalence ancien score" column.
  • IRCC's table sets NCLC 7 at 310–348 for speaking and writing, 249–279 for listening and 207–232 for reading (Équivalence ancien score).
  • The attestation is valid for 2 years from its date of issue, and you cannot take the same test again within 20 days.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the official TEF Canada?

No. This is an independent preparation course. All texts, recordings and questions are original and only follow the task types of each test. For official sample tests and tutorials, use the preparation page of Le français des affaires.

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 TEF Canada attestation, score or NCLC level, and it cannot be used as proof of French for immigration, citizenship, work or school.

Can my practice score tell me my NCLC level?

No. Official TEF Canada scores are calibrated, and writing and speaking are marked by trained evaluators. Practice scores here are feedback only.

Which TEF Canada tests do I need for citizenship?

Only listening and speaking. The test owner says citizenship needs at least NCLC 4 in these two skills, and IRCC's language proof page lists the TEF Canada result it accepts. Check IRCC's current rules before you book.

Which scores do I enter in my Express Entry profile?

IRCC says to enter only the scores in the "Équivalence ancien score" column of your attestation, not the "Score / 699" results. Results must be less than 2 years old.

How long is the final assessment?

It has 40 questions in 45 minutes, drawn at random from all five topics, so every attempt is different. It includes listening questions, so use a device with sound.

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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