The TEF exam (Test d’Évaluation de Français) is an official French language proficiency test created by the CCI Paris Île-de-France. It’s widely recognized for immigration, citizenship, and academic purposes, especially in Canada and France.
Whether you want to move abroad, apply for French nationality, or just prove your level of French, the TEF is a trusted tool that gives you an internationally valid score.
Who Needs the TEF?
- People applying for Canadian permanent residency or Express Entry 🇨🇦
- People applying for French citizenship or a 10-year residence card 🇫🇷
- Students applying to French-speaking universities
- Professionals who need to prove their French level at work
Each version of the TEF targets a different objective, so it’s important to take the right one.
Different Versions of the TEF
- TEF Canada - for Canadian immigration (CLB) and citizenship, recognized by IRCC
- TEF Québec (TEFAQ) - for Quebec immigration, recognized by MIFI
- TEF IRN (Intégration, Résidence, Nationalité) - for French long-term residence & citizenship
- TEF Études – for academic admission in French universities
All versions assess different language skills across these modules:
- Compréhension orale (Listening)
- Compréhension écrite (Reading)
- Expression orale (Speaking)
- Expression écrite (Writing)
- Lexique & Structure (Vocabulary/Grammar, optional in some)
How the TEF Is Scored
The TEF aligns with the CEFR scale (A1 to C2) and Canadian CLB levels. Your scores are reported for each section, and depending on your immigration or study goals, you’ll need to reach a minimum level.
For example, Express Entry usually requires a minimum of CLB 7 (B2) in most skills.
Tips to Prepare
Preparing for the TEF is not like studying for a school test. It’s about getting used to the exam format and developing time management strategies.
- ⏱ Practice under real exam timing
- 🎧 Do daily listening drills
- ✍️ Write structured responses to sample prompts
- 🗣 Practice speaking with time limits and recording yourself
Even if you speak French well, the TEF requires exam-specific preparation. Many learners are surprised by how technical it feels.
Need Help Reaching B2?
At MaZa French, I help learners go from A1 to B2 step-by-step — combining grammar, listening, and speaking strategies adapted to the TEF format.
My full TEF preparation program will launch soon — but if you’re getting started now, check out the A1-B2 core course to build your foundation with confidence.