The Test d’évaluation de français (TEF)

Created in 1998 at the request of the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) schools, the Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) [French Proficiency Test] is the first standardized test of general French for non-native French speakers who wish to have their level of French assessed for academic, professional or personal reasons.

The TEF is recognized by:

the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
the French Ministry of the Interior
the Canadian Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
the Quebec Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration
the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration
language centers
the professional world (including multiple medical bodies)
university authorities

Research & development

Given the stakes involved for its tests and certifications, Le français des affaires / Paris Île-de-France CCI carries out ongoing research and development around assessment.

Our expertise in designing and evaluating French language tests is based on research by our scientific team, supported by our Scientific Committee.

This expertise is also recognized by our peers, with the TEF certified by the Q-MARK label from the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE).

To know more about the Français des affaires’ expertise

No qualification is required to sit the exam. The TEF is aimed at adults (over 16). Results are valid for two years.

The TEF consists of different tests:

Written comprehension
Measure your ability to read and understand written documents (multiple choice questionnaire).
Oral comprehension
Measure your ability to understand spoken French by listening to audio documents (multiple choice questionnaire).
Vocabulary and syntax
Measure your ability to use the French language (vocabulary and grammatical structures) correctly and appropriately. (multiple choice questionnaire)
Oral expression
Measure your ability to communicate orally with an interlocutor (2 sections).
Written expression
Measure your ability to express yourself in written French (2 sections)

The reading comprehension, oral comprehension, vocabulary and structure, and written expression tests are taken on a computer, in a room supervised by an invigilator.

The oral expression test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner.

Objectives
Since 2012, the TEF Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité (IRN) has been officially recognized by the French Ministry of the Interior as compliant with the requirements to obtain French nationality (level B1) or a long-term resident card (level A2).

On January 1, 2026, new language requirements will come into effect in France:

for naturalization applications – level B2;
for resident card applications – level B1;
for multi-year residence permits – level A2.

The TEF IRN complies with the provisions:

➔ in Chapter 1 of Title II of Law No. 2024-42 of January 26, 2024, and Decree No. 2025-647 of July 15, 2025, of the Ministry of the Interior relating to the assessment of knowledge of the French language for applicants for multi-year residence permits and long-term residence permits;

➔ in Chapter 1 of Title II of Law No. 2024-42 of January 26, 2024, and Decree No. 2025-648 of July 15, 2025, of the Ministry of the Interior relating to the assessment of French language proficiency for applicants seeking French citizenship.

The TEF IRN is also registered on the National Directory of Professional Qualifications (France Compétences).

Tests
The following four tests are mandatory and must be taken during the same session:

Reading comprehension: 30 min – 20 questions
Listening comprehension: 20 min – 20 questions
Writing: 30 min – 2 topics to cover
Speaking: 10 min – 2 topics to cover

Objectives
The TEF Etudes is designed to demonstrate your level of proficiency in the French language in order to study at a French-speaking higher education institution: universities, business schools or engineering schools in France, colleges and universities in Canada or other French-speaking countries, etc.

Since 2004, the TEF Etudes has been officially recognized as a way to prove your French language skills for the DAP (Application for Prior Admission) procedure required by the French Ministry of Higher Education.

➔ More information on TEF recognition for the DAP procedure.

Tests
As part of the DAP procedure, the TEF Études consists of four compulsory tests:

Reading comprehension: 60 minutes – 40 questions
Listening comprehension: 40 minutes – 40 questions
Writing: 60 minutes – two topics to cover
Vocabulary and structure: 30 min – 40 questions

For admissions procedures other than DAP, the mandatory tests and required level differ from one institution to another.

Objectives
Since 2002, the TEF Canada has been officially recognized by the Canadian federal government as a way to certify French language skills for immigration and citizenship applications.

➔ More information is available on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Tests
As part of an immigration application, the following four tests are mandatory and must be taken during the same session:

Reading comprehension: 60 min – 40 questions
Listening comprehension: 40 min – 40 questions
Writing: 60 min – 2 topics to cover
Speaking: 15 min – 2 topics to cover

As part of a Canadian citizenship application, the following two tests are mandatory:

Listening comprehension: 40 min – 40 questions
Speaking: 15 min – 2 topics to cover

Objectives
Since 2006, the TEF Quebec or TEFAQ (French Proficiency Test for Access to Quebec) has been officially recognized by the Quebec government as a way to certify French language skills for immigration purposes.

The TEF Quebec is also recognized by the Ministry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for access to Canadian citizenship.

➔ More information is available on the website of the Ministry of Immigration, Francization, and Integration (MIFI).

TEF Québec is also recognized by the Canadian government’s IRCC for access to Canadian citizenship.

➔ More information is available on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Tests
The TEF Québec consists of four modular tests:

Reading comprehension: 60 min – 40 questions
Listening comprehension: 40 min – 40 questions
Writing: 60 min – 2 topics to cover
Speaking: 15 min – 2 topics to cover

1998

The Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) is launched, the first standardized test of general French on the French as a Foreign Language market.

2002

The TEF is referenced by the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration Canada as a way to certify the French language level of candidates wishing to immigrate to Canada. The TEF Canada is born.

2004

The TEF is officially certified by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. It is the only test officially approved by the Canadian authorities at the time.
The TEF is also officially recognized by the French Ministry of Education. The TEF Etudes is born.

2005

The e-TEF is launched, the first electronic standardized French test.

2006

The TEF is recognized by Quebec’s Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities, as a way to certify the French language level of applicants wishing to immigrate to Quebec. The TEFAQ is born.

2010

The TEF receives the ALTE Q-Mark label, certifying that it meets all 18 quality standards defined for language certifications by the Association of Language Testers in Europe (ALTE).
The first online training course for TEF examiners is created, entirely free of charge for accredited centers.

2012

The TEF is recognized by the French Ministry of the Interior: the TEF for Naturalization is born.

2015

The TEF is registered on the Inventory of the National Commission of Professional Certifications (France Compétences).
Français 3.0 is created, a mobile application to help students train for the TEF (currently being redesigned).

2017

The official online TEF preparation program is launched through the partnership with PrepMyFuture.

2018

The TEF for Resident Card is created at the request of the French Ministry of the Interior.

2020

End of the paper exam format. The reading comprehension, oral comprehension, vocabulary and syntax, and written expression tests are now 100% computer-based.

2022

The TEF Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité (IRN) is launched at the request of the French Ministry of the Interior (combining the TEF for Resident Card and TEF for Naturalization).
The TEF is recognized by the Department of Public Liberties and Legal Affairs (DLPAJ) / French Ministry of the Interior for security-related professions.
The TEF’s Q-Mark certification is renewed by ALTE for 5 years.

2023

The format of the TEF changes (oral comprehension, reading comprehension and vocabulary & structure tests), to make the test more relevant to everyday life, more French-speaking and more enjoyable to take.

2024

Registration of the TEF IRN on the National Directory of Professional Qualifications (France Compétences) is renewed.

2025

The format of the TEF IRN evolves in line with provisions of the Law no. 2024-42 of January 26, 2024, titled “to control immigration and improve integration”.

The Test d’évaluation de français

About the TEF

Which TEF for which purpose?

TEF Intégration, Résidence, Nationalité

TEF Études

TEF Canada

TEF Québec

Milestones of the TEF