TEF Études
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Would you like to integrate a school/university in France or in a French-speaking country?
Certify your French language skills with the TEF Études, recognized since 2002 by the French Ministry of Higher Education and numerous schools and universities around the world.
What are the TEF Études tests?
The test enables you to demonstrate your French language skills in 5 different tests, depending on your student mobility project.
1. TEF for studying in France
For a first-time application to enroll in the first year of university studies in France (bachelor’s degree)
The TEF has been recognized as part of the DAP (Demande d’Admission Préliminaire) procedure by the French Ministry of Higher Education since 2004.
The test assesses the written and spoken French language skills of all foreign students applying for undergraduate studies in France.
The TEF consists of 4 compulsory tests:
Reading comprehension
Objective: Measure your ability to read and understand written documents.
Content: 4 sections – 40 questions
Duration: 1 hour
Format: Multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ)
Scale:
Correct answer = +1 point
Wrong answer / No answer = 0 points
Listening comprehension
Objective: Measure your ability to understand spoken French by listening to audio documents.
Content: 4 sections – 40 questions
Duration: 40 minutes
Format: Multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ)
Scale:
Correct answer = +1 point
Wrong answer / No answer = 0 points
Vocabulary and syntax
Objective: To measure your ability to use the French language (vocabulary and grammatical structures) correctly and appropriately.
Content: 4 sections – 40 questions
Duration: 30 minutes
Format: Multiple choice questionnaire (MCQ)
Scale:
Correct answer = +1 point
Wrong answer / No answer = 0 points
Written expression
Objective: Measure your ability to express yourself in written French.
Content: 2 sections
Duration: 1 hour
Format: The test 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)
The oral expression test is optional for the DAP (Demande d’Admission Préliminaire).
Oral expression
Objective: Measure your ability to communicate orally with an interlocutor.
Content: 2 sections
Duration: 15 minutes in total
Format: The test is divided into two sections, A and B.
- Section A – 5 minutes
Obtaining information - Section B – 10 minutes
Expressing an argument to convince
To certify a sufficient level of language proficiency for a first-year university enrolment, you must obtain a score equal to or higher than 400/699 in the 4 TEF written tests.
For more information, visit the French Ministry of Higher Education website or contact Campus France in your country.
To apply for a Bachelor’s / Master’s degree in France
Each school or university is autonomous and free to accept official certification of language level.
Contact the school you wish to attend directly to find out which TEF tests are required and what level is required.
2. TEF for admission to French-speaking schools (outside France)
Many French-speaking institutions of higher education, particularly in Canada, recognize the TEF as proof of your level of French for admission purposes.
Contact the school you wish to attend directly to find out which TEF tests are required.
Further information
How long is my test valid for?
Your results certificate is valid for 2 years (from the date of issue).
Are there any exemptions from the TEF DAP?
You are exempt from a French language test if you already hold a TCF for the DAP, a DELF B2, a DALF C1/C2, a French baccalauréat (issued by the French Ministry of Education), or are a student from one of the French bilingual sections on a list drawn up jointly by the French Ministries of Education and Foreign Affairs.
You are also exempt from the French test if you come from a French-speaking country or a country where French is an official language (provided you have completed all your secondary education in French-language schools).
The list of officially French-speaking countries : Benin, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Congo – Brazzaville, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Guinea – Conakry, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo
List of countries where French is an official language : Burundi, Canada, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Haiti, Madagascar, Mauritania (except Arabic-speaking sector), Rwanda, Seychelles, Switzerland and Vanuatu.
Please note: some schools require you to have the test/diploma (TEF/TCF/DALF/DELF) even if you are exempt from it.
What is the policy for processing my personal data?
When you register for TEF Études, Le français des affaires of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France collects a certain amount of information in order to process your application and in accordance with French immigration laws.
It is not communicated to other third parties. Your data will be kept by Le français des affaires of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France for 10 years.
The information collected may also be processed for the purpose of carrying out studies and surveys in order to improve our services. In this context, data collected during surveys is not communicated to third parties and is kept for a period of one year.
In accordance with the French Data Protection Act of January 6, 1978, as amended, and the Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016-679, and within the framework and limits set by these texts, you may exercise your right to access data concerning you and have it rectified or deleted, which you may do by contacting francais@cci-paris-idf.fr or, in the event of difficulty, the Data Protection Officer at cpdp@cci-paris-idf.fr.
Finally, you can file a complaint with the CNIL, 3 Place de Fontenoy – TSA 80715 – 75334 PARIS CEDEX 07.