TEF Canada: the test, the scores and the score IRCC wants
The TEF Canada is a French test run by the CCI Paris Ile-de-France (a French chamber of commerce) and accepted by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). It has 4 compulsory parts. Your certificate shows two columns of scores. IRCC wants only one of them: “Équivalence ancien score”. IRCC says that if you enter the wrong scores, it may refuse your application (IRCC: Express Entry, language test results).
Checked on against the official pages listed at the end.
Who accepts it
IRCC lists TEF Canada and TCF Canada as the two accepted French tests for Express Entry (IRCC: Express Entry, language test results). The CCI says IRCC has recognised the TEF Canada since 2002 (CCI). For immigration to Québec, the CCI sells a separate version called TEF Québec (TEFAQ) (CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF candidate page).
The 4 parts
| Part | What you do | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 40 multiple-choice questions. | 60 |
| Listening | 40 multiple-choice questions. | 40 |
| Writing | 2 sections. A: write the continuation of an article, 80 words minimum, 25 minutes. B: express and justify a point of view, 200 words minimum, 35 minutes. | 60 |
| Speaking | 2 sections. A: obtain information, 5 minutes. B: express an argument to convince, 10 minutes. | 15 |
| Total | Our sum of the four times above: 2 hours 55 minutes | 175 |
Source: CCI Paris Ile-de-France, TEF Canada, the tests, read on 13 Oct 2026. The total is our addition, not a CCI figure.
Each bar shows the minutes of one part. A full bar is 60 minutes.
- In the reading and listening parts, a correct answer gives 1 point. A wrong answer or no answer gives 0 (CCI). So an answer is never worse than a blank.
- The number of correct answers is not your final score. The CCI converts it into a calibrated score, which takes the difficulty of the questions into account (CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, your results).
- Take all the parts on the same day. The CCI writes that all tests must be taken on the same day for your certificate to be recognised by the Canadian authorities (CCI).
- Two assessors mark the writing. Two examiners mark the speaking: the test leader, and a second examiner who listens to the recording (CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, your results).
Your certificate has two score columns
The CCI certificate shows each score on a scale of 699 (CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada). It also shows an older equivalent. IRCC and the CCI both tell you which one to use.
| Column on the certificate | What to do |
|---|---|
| Équivalence ancien score (old score equivalent) | Enter these scores. IRCC: “Only enter the scores for each language ability from that column.” The CCI says the same. |
| Score / 699 | Do not enter these scores. IRCC: “Don’t enter these results in your Express Entry profile. They aren’t compatible with our system at this time.” |
Sources: IRCC: Express Entry, language test results (page modified 2026-06-22) and CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, the certificate, read on 13 Oct 2026.
IRCC also writes: “If you don’t enter the correct scores, we may refuse your application.”
The IRCC table: “Équivalence ancien score” to NCLC level
NCLC means Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens, the Canadian levels for French. Find your score in each column. Use the “Équivalence ancien score” numbers only.
| NCLC level | Speaking | Listening | Reading | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 393-450 | 316-360 | 263-300 | 393-450 |
| 9 | 371-392 | 298-315 | 248-262 | 371-392 |
| 8 | 349-370 | 280-297 | 233-247 | 349-370 |
| 7 | 310-348 | 249-279 | 207-232 | 310-348 |
| 6 | 271-309 | 217-248 | 181-206 | 271-309 |
| 5 | 226-270 | 181-216 | 151-180 | 226-270 |
| 4 | 181-225 | 145-180 | 121-150 | 181-225 |
Copied by script from IRCC: Express Entry, language test results (English page, modified 2026-06-22), read on 13 Oct 2026. To convert all four scores at once, use our score tool (in French).
If you took the test between 11 December 2023 and 6 May 2024
IRCC says the CCI temporarily changed the NCLC levels in that period to reflect raw scores. The change has since been reversed to the grid IRCC uses now. If you were affected, the CCI sent you an email with your updated score. IRCC says you must update your Express Entry profile with it. If you do not, an invitation to apply could lead to a refused application (IRCC: Express Entry, language test results). Check your email from the CCI.
Validity, results and sitting again
- Validity. Your certificate is valid for 2 years from the date of issue (CCI). IRCC also needs results that are less than 2 years old when you complete your profile and when you submit your application (IRCC: Express Entry, language test results).
- Results time. The CCI says about 2 weeks (CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada). The certificate arrives by email. Your test centre is your main contact (CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, the certificate).
- Sitting again. You can take the TEF Canada as many times as you like, with a 20-day wait between two tests (CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, the certificate).
- Appeal. You can appeal within 30 days of the certificate date. The CCI says it only looks at an appeal if there was an anomaly or a serious malfunction during your test (CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, your results).
How to register
- Register with one of about 500 official centres in more than 110 countries. Find the nearest one with the CCI’s centre finder (CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, registration).
- You must be at least 16 years old. No diploma is needed (CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, registration).
- The centre sets the fee. It can differ from centre to centre and with the number of tests you take (CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, registration).
- Read the cancellation rule before you pay. The CCI writes that registration is firm and final, and fees you paid are kept. If you cannot come for a serious reason such as illness, you need proof, and the CCI may offer a new registration at no extra cost (CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, registration).
Next steps
- Have your four scores? Turn them into NCLC levels and points (in French).
- Choosing between two tests? Read TCF Canada or TEF Canada.
Sources, read on 13 Oct 2026
Every figure above comes from the pages below. We read each page on 13 Oct 2026.
- IRCC: Express Entry, language test results
- CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, the tests
- CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF candidate page
- CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, your results
- CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada
- CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, the certificate
- CCI Paris Ile-de-France: TEF Canada, registration