TEF vs TCF Canada: which French test for PR?

TEF Canada vs TCF Canada at a glance

Both tests measure the same four abilities and both lead to the same NCLC levels, but they are built differently. The table sets out what each test body publishes about its own test.

Two details matter more than they look. First, France Education international says that from TCF sessions on 1 September 2026, requests to re-mark the speaking and writing tests will not be accepted for about a year. Le français des affaires accepts a TEF appeal within 30 days of the results, but only for a serious problem during the sitting, which you should report to the supervisor on the day. For either test, plan on a retake rather than a re-mark if a speaking or writing score falls short. Second, the TEF writing test is typed, with an on-screen keyboard for accents, while a paper TCF centre means handwriting, and France Education international marks a writing paper "A1 not achieved" if it is illegible, off-topic, outside the word limits or incomplete.

TEF Canada score chart to NCLC

For Express Entry, IRCC bases your French level on the Équivalence ancien score (previous score equivalency) column of your TEF Canada results sheet. The sheet also shows a column marked Score / 699; IRCC says not to enter those numbers in your profile because they are not compatible with its system, and that entering the wrong scores may lead to a refused application. Read your four Équivalence ancien scores against this table:

Notice that the scales are not the same across abilities: the top band ends at 450 for speaking and writing, 360 for listening and 300 for reading. A score of 300 is NCLC 10 in reading and NCLC 9 in listening, but only NCLC 6 in speaking or writing, so always convert each ability separately. Our CLB calculator does this for you and flags your weakest ability.

TCF Canada score chart to NCLC

TCF Canada reports reading and listening as scores and speaking and writing as marks out of 20. IRCC converts them like this:

The TCF speaking and writing bands are narrow. NCLC 7 is 10 or 11 out of 20, and NCLC 9 starts at 14, so a single mark can move you a full level. Listening and reading are close together but not identical: NCLC 7 starts at 458 in listening and 453 in reading.

What French is worth in CRS points

A French result can raise your Comprehensive Ranking System score in two ways, and IRCC's CRS criteria set both out. If English is your first official language, French counts as your second official language: 1 point per ability at NCLC 5 or 6, 3 at NCLC 7 or 8 and 6 at NCLC 9 or higher, up to 24 points for a single candidate or 22 with a spouse or partner. On top of that come the additional French points:

Worked example. A single candidate with CLB 9 in English takes TCF Canada and scores 10 out of 20 in speaking and writing, 470 in listening and 460 in reading: NCLC 7 in all four. French adds 3 points per ability as a second language (12) plus the 50-point bonus, so 62 points. If the same candidate reaches NCLC 9 in all four, the second-language points rise to 24 and the total French gain to 74 points. If French is your stronger language, it can be your first official language instead, scored on the much larger first-language grid (for a single candidate, 17 points per ability at NCLC 7 and 34 at NCLC 10 or higher). Run both versions in the CRS calculator before you decide which test to book or retake.

Note the cliff in the bonus. NCLC 7 in three abilities and NCLC 6 in the fourth earns 0 bonus points and no place in the French-language category, so one weak ability can cost you 50 points and your best draw.

2026 French-language Express Entry rounds

The French-language proficiency category requires French test results of at least NCLC 7 in all four abilities, with full details set in each round's instructions (IRCC, category-based selection). In 2026 IRCC has held 10 French-language rounds, inviting 50,500 candidates in total at cut-offs from 382 to 420. The most recent was Round #437 on August 19, 2026, with 5,000 invitations at a cut-off of 382.

For comparison, every Canadian Experience Class round in 2026 cut off at 507 or higher, above the highest French-language cut-off of 420, which is why NCLC 7 can be worth more than the points alone suggest. Our French-language category guide tracks each round, and the Express Entry draws tracker has every category.

Which test should you take?

No official source says one test is easier, and IRCC maps both to the same NCLC levels. The honest way to choose is to match the format to how you perform, then check which centre can test you and return results before your deadline.

• You write better at length: TEF Canada asks for one 80-word continuation and one 200-word argued opinion. TCF Canada asks for three shorter texts with both a minimum and a maximum word count, and a text outside the limits can be marked A1 not achieved.
• You type faster than you handwrite: TEF writing is always on a computer. TCF may be on paper at your nearest centre, so ask before you book.
• You speak better with a moment to prepare: TCF speaking includes 2 minutes of preparation for its interaction task. TEF speaking is two role-plays, one to obtain information and one to argue and convince.
• You need results fast: TEF publishes results within 1 to 10 working days. TCF gives up to 15 working days from when France Education international receives the papers, then you collect the certificate from the centre.
• You expect to retake: TEF allows a new sitting after 20 days; TCF asks you to wait 30 days before registering again.
• Your date is fixed by availability: both are sat in person at approved centres, so the centre with the earliest seat often decides it.

Where French helps beyond Express Entry

• Francophone Mobility work permit: an LMIA-exempt, employer-specific work permit for jobs outside Quebec. You must prove speaking and listening at NCLC 5 or higher, and IRCC accepts speaking and listening TEF or TCF results. The job can be in any TEER category except primary agriculture jobs in TEER 4 and 5, and the employer submits the offer under exemption code C16 and pays the $230 employer compliance fee (canada.ca). See our Francophone Mobility guide.
• Francophone Community Immigration Pilot: a permanent residence pilot that needs NCLC 5 in all four abilities on TEF Canada or TCF Canada, with results less than 2 years old when you apply. See our FCIP guide.
• Ontario: Ontario closed its Express Entry French-Speaking Skilled Worker stream as part of its 2026 OINP redesign (ontario.ca). Our Ontario French stream page explains what changed.
• Citizenship: applicants aged 18 to 54 must show speaking and listening at CLB 4 or higher. IRCC accepts TEF Canada and TCF Canada at B1 or higher in listening and speaking, and TEF Canada offers a citizenship sitting with only those two tests. If you sent TEF or TCF results with your permanent residence application and they are high enough, IRCC accepts a copy even if they have expired (canada.ca). See citizenship requirements.

Mistakes that waste a sitting

1. 01

   Booking the wrong version

   For Express Entry, IRCC lists only TEF Canada and TCF Canada. Other versions such as TCF Québec, TEFAQ or TEF IRN are not on that list, even though IRCC accepts some of them for citizenship.

2. 02

   Entering the TEF score out of 699

   IRCC says to enter only the Équivalence ancien score for each ability. The Score / 699 column is not compatible with the Express Entry system, and wrong scores can lead to refusal.

3. 03

   Splitting the TEF over two days

   Le français des affaires says all four TEF Canada tests must be taken on the same day for Canadian authorities to recognise the certificate.

4. 04

   Letting results expire in the pool

   IRCC requires results less than 2 years old when you create your profile and when you submit your application, and it refuses applications with expired results. If yours will expire before you can apply, IRCC says to retest, apply before they expire, or decline the invitation.

5. 05

   Ignoring the weakest ability

   The French-language category and the 50-point bonus both need NCLC 7 in all four abilities. One ability at NCLC 6 removes both, so prepare for your weakest skill, not your average.

How Wild Mountain Immigration helps with French

Choosing between TEF Canada and TCF Canada is the easy part. The decisions that change outcomes are whether French should be your first or second official language, whether a retake to NCLC 7 or 9 is worth it, and which French-language or provincial route fits your profile. Working under CICC #R706497, our team converts your results with IRCC's tables, models the CRS gain, and checks your eligibility for the French-language category, Francophone Mobility and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot. We represent clients entirely online and work from current canada.ca guidance. Start by converting your scores in the CLB calculator, score your profile in the CRS calculator, then book a call.

Reviewed by a licensed RCIC (CICC #R706497). Test formats come from the test bodies and may change; IRCC sets the NCLC conversion tables and CRS points, so confirm the current versions on canada.ca before you book or apply.