TEF Canada vs TCF Canada: which to take?
Both French tests are accepted for Express Entry and both map to the same NCLC levels. The main differences are who runs them and how scores are reported — which matters when you fill in your profile.
| TEF Canada | TCF Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Accepted for Express Entry | Yes | Yes |
| Administered by | CCI Paris Île-de-France | France Éducation International |
| Skills tested | Listening, reading, writing, speaking | Listening, reading, writing, speaking |
| How results are scored | Two columns on your results: “Équivalence ancien score” (used by Express Entry) and “Score / 699” | Listening and reading out of 699; writing and speaking out of 20 |
| Format and timing | Reading 40 questions (60 min), listening 40 questions (40 min), writing 60 min, speaking 15 min — all on the same day | Check the current format with France Éducation International |
| Result validity for Express Entry | Less than 2 years old | Less than 2 years old |
| NCLC 7 — listening | 249 (ancien score) | 458 / 699 |
| NCLC 7 — reading | 207 (ancien score) | 453 / 699 |
| NCLC 7 — writing | 310 (ancien score) | 10 / 20 |
| NCLC 7 — speaking | 310 (ancien score) | 10 / 20 |
NCLC thresholds and validity from canada.ca, Express Entry language test results (checked October 19, 2026). TEF format from CCI Paris Île-de-France (checked October 19, 2026). Fees, dates and formats change — confirm with the test centres before you book.
TEF score → NCLC calculator
Includes the ancien score vs Score / 699 tables.
TCF score → NCLC calculator
See your gap to NCLC 7 per skill.
Frequently asked questions
Which is easier, TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
Neither is officially easier — both are mapped to the same NCLC levels. Candidates usually choose based on test dates and centres near them, and on which format suits them after trying sample questions.
Do both tests count for Express Entry French-language draws?
Yes. Both are approved French tests for Express Entry. Category-based French draws require NCLC 7 in all four abilities, whichever test you take.