Created in 1998 by the Paris Ile-de-France CCI, the Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF) is an international benchmark test that measures your level of knowledge and skills in French.
The TEF provides confirmation of one’s level of competency in French in any professional, academic or mobility-related context, and in particular for:
The TEF consists of 5 tests:
According to your goals and the formalities you need to complete, you can choose the TEF version that includes the tests you require.
For certain versions of the TEF, the tests must be completed at a single session.
Please note! The duration of the examinations differs for the TEF Carte de résident and TEF Naturalisation.
The tests are evaluated on a scale with 7 levels, from level 0 (most basic competencies) to level 6 (complete fluency).
This scale relates to the 6 levels (A1 to C2) of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and to the 12 levels of the Canadian Language Benchmarks.
The procedures used depend on the version of the TEF selected:
|
Études |
Naturalisation |
Carte de résident |
Canada |
Québec |
|
Mandatory examinations Oral comprehension Written comprehension Vocabulary and syntax Written expression |
Mandatory examinations Oral comprehension Oral expression |
Mandatory examinations Oral comprehension Written comprehension Oral expression Written expression |
Mandatory examinations for immigration Oral comprehension Written comprehension Oral expression Written expression Mandatory examinations for a citizenship application Oral comprehension Oral expression |
Elective examinations Oral comprehension Oral expression Additional examinations (primary applicant) Written comprehension Written expression |
Sessions are held year-round at facilities operated by our network of partners, in France and around the world.
The testing centre is responsible for defining the session dates, the registration period for candidates, and the prices. The registration deadline falls at least one week before the date of the test date.
Please register as early as possible to allow time for the paperwork to process.
No prior qualification is required to take the exam. Candidates must be at least 16 years of age.
When you register, you will be asked to provide the following documents:
You will also fill in a personal information form when you register. This form will be used to make out your statement of results.
Please contact your local centre directly for more details on test dates, prices or for any other information about the exams offered.
Consult our list of testing centres
Sessions are also offered on the Paris Île-de-France CCI premises, at 6 avenue de la Porte de Champerret (Paris 17th district). Register online here.
Finally, if you cannot find any authorized centres offering the TEF examination in your country, please contact us at the following email address: francais@cci-paris-idf.fr
To prepare for the TEF, several options are avalaible:
When you register, you agree to the Registration and Testing Conditions. After your registration has been confirmed, your testing centre will send you a notice to attend which you must present on the day of the examination along with your identity document.
On the day of the examination, after checking your identity, the supervisor will ask you to sign an attendance sheet on paper or on a tablet computer. Verify to make sure your personal information is correct.
Please note! In the event of an error or a modification that has not been reported on the day of the test, corrections CANNOT be made once the results have been published.
The supervisor will then tell you where to sit for the start of the test.
Instructions to be followed during the tests:
– Turn off your mobile phone and any other electronic devices.
– No dictionaries or reference documents are permitted in the test room.
– No personal effects may be kept on the table during the tests, apart from your identity document.
– No talking with other candidates during the test.
– Latecomers shall not be allowed to enter the room once the test has begun.
– No one shall be allowed to leave the room throughout the entire duration of the written tests.
The comprehension tests shall be answered by computer.
The invigilator shall give each candidate a username and password. Candidates shall use these identifiers to access the online testing platform and follow the instructions for each test.
Description of the tests:
You can move back and forth between the questions on the computer.
There are 2, 4, or 5 answer choices for each question, but only one answer is correct.
Please note! Once you have answered a question, you cannot go back and change your answer (you cannot go back to previous questions).
Please note that this test is always recorded to enable a second evaluation to be performed.
There are 4 answer choices for each question, but only one answer is correct.
You can move back and forth between the questions on the computer.
Your results will be sent to the testing centre within 4 to 6 weeks from the date of receipt of the session materials. Results will then be sent to you.
Each statement is detailed and personalised (with your photograph and signature).
For each test, it will state:
The results are valid for two years. You can retake the test as many times as you wish allowing for a one-month waiting period between each examination.
The registration fees are determined by the testing centre. The prices may vary from one centre to another and according to the number of tests you take.
Registrations are binding and non-refundable.
In the event of cancellation before the test date for serious reasons (illness, professional obligations, death of a family member, etc.), you must submit valid proof to the centre (medical certificate, employer’s declaration, etc.). Le français des affaires will then examine the grounds for the absence and may give you an opportunity to re-register at the centre at no additional cost.
No refunds will be given in the event of unjustified absence or withdrawal. By signing the registration sheet when you register at the centre, you agree to these terms.
Le français des affaires proposes different arrangements to make the TEF accessible to candidates with disabilities.
The candidate must submit a medical certificate to the testing centre. This certificate is issued by a medical practitioner and clearly describes the nature of the disability. If the disability enables the candidate to take the tests, the practitioner should issue recommendations concerning special arrangements for the session (transcription into Grade 1 braille, version for candidates with vision problems, extra examination time, volume adjustments, etc.).
Le Français des Affaires shall then provide the centre with the resources required to organise a session with special arrangements: adapted versions, instructions for supervisors, examiners, and assessors.
For the Listening and Reading tests, as well as Vocabulary and Structure, only one answer is possible. Each correct answer earns one point and giving a wrong answer does not penalize.
The total points obtained for the good answers does not correspond to the final score. It is converted into a calibrated score which takes into account the differences in difficulty of the questions that make up the test.
The Speaking and Writing tests are assessed by two examiners using a standardized assessment grid. The result of these two evaluations is also converted into a calibrated score.
To find out your Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) score, please refer to the correspondence table.
If you have taken the TEF, TEF Naturalisation, TEF Carte de résident or TEF Québec (TEFAQ) examinations, you will receive an email giving you access to an electronic statement of results (paper certificates will not be issued).
This paperless certificate is an official document that you can present to the authorities.
For the TEF Canada, you will receive a certificate on paper that will be sent to your testing centre. Remember to keep a certified copy of your results because a fee will be charged for any requests for duplicates.
Please note that during the COVID-19 health crisis, the TEF Canada certificates are sent by email as well.
| Different versions of the TEF |
Statement on 01.01.2021 |
| Full TEF (5 tests) |
Electronic |
| TEF Canada | Electronic during the current COVID-19 health crisis |
| TEF Québec (TEFAQ) | Electronic |
| TEF Naturalisation | Electronic |
| TEF Carte de résident |
Electronic |
You can retake the test as many times as you wish.
However, a one-month waiting period is required between two consecutive sittings.
Le français des affaires and its partner centres do everything in their power to ensure that TEF tests are taken under the best possible conditions and that all candidates are treated fairly.
If you experienced a serious problem or an anomaly when taking your test, you can file an appeal with Le français des affaires.
It is perfectly possible for you to obtain a new original statement. The cost of reprinting a statement is €50.
However, please note that only one original duplicate statement of results (bearing the statement “DUPLICATA”) can be issued to each candidate.
Log in at the following address
Order a “Reprint of a statement” (“Réimpression d’attestation”) and make sure that you state your last name, first name and the date on which you took the test in the “Comment” (“Commentaire”) section.
In the event of cheating, forgery, or complications during the test session, observed by the organization requesting your results, the authorised testing centre or Paris Ile-de-France CCI, sanctions shall be imposed by the Paris Ile-de-France CCI Disciplinary Commission.
Depending on the type of fraud or falsification, candidates’ test scores may be cancelled, and they may be banned from taking future tests with the CCI Paris Ile-de-France.
The Disciplinary Commission’s decision shall be sent to the fraudulent candidate, the testing centre and the organization requesting the results.
Please note Officials from organizations requiring TEF results (Ministry for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Quebec Ministry for Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI), employees of prefectures, universities, Campus France, etc.) can access candidates’ results directly through Paris Île-de-France CCI.