TEF Canada

Master TEF Canada, from A1 to your target NCLC

Understand the exam, follow the free A1 to B2 course mapped to TEF, then prove it with full timed mock exams.

01Recognised by IRCC for PR and citizenship
02Four skills, scored independently
030 to 699 scale per skill
04Results valid for two years
The exam

Four skills, one result

For Express Entry you sit all four. Each is scored and converted to an NCLC level independently, so every skill counts.

Reading

Compréhension écrite40 questions · 60 min

Listening

Compréhension orale40 questions · 40 min

Writing

Expression écrite2 tasks · 60 min

Speaking

Expression orale2 tasks · 15 min
Powered by AI

We grade the two skills you can't grade yourself

Listening and reading score themselves. Writing and speaking are where candidates are blind, so we grade them with AI, instantly, the part no other prep gives you.

Writing

Instant, examiner-style AI feedback with an NCLC estimate, in seconds.AI-graded

Speaking

Record your answer and get an AI-scored breakdown, no waiting weeks.AI-graded
Scoring

How your score becomes NCLC

TEF Canada scores each skill on a 0 to 699 scale (since December 2023), converted to an NCLC level. From NCLC 7 up, each skill earns Express Entry CRS points (4 / 5 / 6 at NCLC 7 / 8 / 9+), so NCLC 7 in all four is the usual target.

NCLC4
NCLC5
NCLC6
Express Entry targetNCLC7
NCLC8
NCLC9
NCLC10
Reading · /699434 to 461
Listening · /699434 to 461
Writing · /699428 to 471
Speaking · /699456 to 493

NCLC 7 bands are estimates for planning. Always verify against the official IRCC equivalency tables.

Your path

The TEF syllabus, A1 to B2

The free course runs across CEFR A1, A2, B1 and B2, mapped to the NCLC scale. NCLC 7, the Express Entry target, sits at B2, and every lesson carries a TEF-specific exam tip.

Everything you need

Prepare for TEF Canada, end to end

Good to know

Frequently asked

What is TEF Canada?
TEF Canada (Test d'évaluation de français) is a French proficiency exam recognised by IRCC for Canadian permanent residence and citizenship. It tests reading, listening, writing and speaking.
What TEF Canada score is NCLC 7?
On the current TEF Canada scale (0 to 699 per skill): Reading and Listening 434 to 461, Writing 428 to 471, Speaking 456 to 493. From NCLC 7 up, each skill earns Express Entry CRS points, and NCLC 7 in all four is the threshold for French-language category draws.
Is TEF Canada harder than TCF Canada?
Neither is clearly harder. They differ in format and scoring. See our TEF vs TCF comparison to choose the one that fits you.

Ready to prepare for TEF Canada?

The whole A1 to B2 course is free. Start today, then prove it with a timed mock.