French as a foreign language tests validate the applicant's level of French at a given point in time. The result obtained is an assessment of your language skills. These tests are valid for a maximum of two years.
The Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF)
The Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) is a general French proficiency test suitable for anybody wishing to assess their level of competence in French, whether for personal or professional reasons or for academic purposes. This test gauges the candidate's skills and level of proficiency in general French by scoring them in accordance with a graded scale that corresponds to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).
Issued by the French Ministries of Education, Higher Education and Research, it is standardized and calibrated by France Education international.
TCF holds several international quality standards: the QMark 214 of ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe), as well as the ISO:9001 norm, version 2015, for all its processes.
There are nationally and internationally recognized versions of the TCF that can be adapted to all types of public, depending on their project:
- TCF tout public: a test recognized by the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation for the purpose of registration in a higher education institution (university, grande école);
- TCF Canada : a test recognized by the Canadian federal government for the purpose of a migration project to a Canadian province;
- TCF Québec : a test recognized by the Quebec ministry of immigration, francization and integration for the purpose of a migration to Quebec;
- TCF Intégration, Résidence et Nationalité: the official test recognized by the French Ministry of the Interior for any application for French nationality, residence permit in France or certification as part of OFII language training.
The TCF is composed of several exams (oral comprehension, written comprehension, mastery and structure of the language, oral expression, written expression).
The results are valid for two years.
For more information on the TCF
All versions of the TCF are also available in an electronic version for computer-based testing at the test center.
Enrolment: contact directly the nearest accredited center for information on the dates of the sessions and the price of the tests. For any other information, you can contact France Education international: tcf@france-education-international.fr
The Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF)
The Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF) is designed and administered by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) of the Paris Île-de-France region. This test gauges the candidate's skills and level of proficiency in general French by placing them on a graded scale that corresponds to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) as well as Canadian language proficiency levels. It comprises a series of tests in the form of multiple choice questionnaires (reading comprehension, listening, vocabulary and structure) and two open tests (writing and oral). The test has been available in electronic format since 2005 with e-tef (for tests in MCQ format only), the results of which are available immediately. The validity period of TEF results is at the discretion of the user institution. The Paris Île-de-France CCI recommends that results should be considered valid for 1 year.
Official national and international recognition:
- French Ministry for Higher Education and Research (ministerial decree of 26 April 2012) as exemption from the TCF pour la DAP;
- Ministry for the Interior, Overseas Territories and Departments, Territorial Authorities and Immigration (decree of 11 October 2011 outlining the list of qualifications and certificates required of those applying for French nationality), valid for the purposes of naturalisation procedures;
- Canadian federal government (Citizenship and Immigration Canada) for assessing the language proficiency of potential immigrants to Canada (skilled workers' category or Canadian experience category);
- Québec Ministry for Immigration and Cultural Communities through the TEFAQ, valid for immigration procedures involving those immigrating to Quebec;
- many French-speaking business and educational institutions.
For more information on the TEF please contact tef@cci-paris-idf.fr.
Enrolment: contact the approved centre of your choice directly. Each approved centre is free to set the schedule for the sessions that it organises and determines the cost of registering for the TEF in accordance with the costs associated with organising the tests.
Identify easily the center of your choice with the map of certified centres Qualité français langue étrangère.