TCF Exam Guide: Comprehensive Prep, Dates, Fees and FAQs

What is the TCF exam?

The TCF is the Test de Connaissance du Français, an official language test for non-native French speakers who want to evaluate or demonstrate their French language skills. 

TCF tests are part of the work of France Éducation international, a French public institution under the French Ministry of National Education. They are administered locally by over 1,000 different French language institutions around the world, especially by chapters of L’Alliance française.

The TCF assesses French learners based on the six levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Certificates, once issued, are valid for two years.

TCF versions and which one to take

There are five TCF tests to consider:

• TCF Tout Public (TP)

• TCF Canada

• TCF Québec

• TCF IRN

• TCF-DAP (TCF TP + Writing)

All TCF tests are structured to get progressively harder and result in a score or level placement based on the CEFR levels, shown below.

TCF Tout Public (TP)

The TCF Tout Public is the general version of the TCF for all non-native French speakers aged 16 or older. It is recognized by many French ministries and, with the addition of a mandatory writing section, by French institutions of higher learning. It is also used in less formal settings like workplaces and language learning centers.

The TCF TP test format consists of three mandatory test sections and two optional ones, per France Éducation international.

Mandatory test sections:

• Listening comprehension – 29 multiple choice questions (25 minutes)

• Grammar comprehension – 18 multiple choice questions (15 minutes)

• Reading comprehension – 29 multiple choice questions (45 minutes)

Optional sections:

• Written skills – 3 exercises (60 minutes)

• Verbal skills – 3 exercises completed one-on-one with an examiner (12 minutes)

Results are sent 10-15 business days after the exam and will certify the exam taker at a level from A1 to C2.

TCF Canada

The TCF Canada is required specifically for immigration to Canada or applying for Canadian citizenship. It is recognized by the IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). 

The test features a mix of French accents and contexts, including some vocabulary more common in Canada than France.

The test is made up of four mandatory sections:

• Listening comprehension – 39 multiple choice questions (35 minutes)

• Reading comprehension – 39 multiple choice questions (60 minutes)

• Written skills – 3 exercises (60 minutes)

• Verbal skills – 3 exercises completed one-on-one with an examiner (12 minutes)

TCF Québec

The TCF Québec is designed specifically for those applying for a permanent visa to live in the Canadian province of Québec through the Québec Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration, or MIFI). 

The available sections are the same as the TCF Canada, but no sections are mandatory. Content is tailored specifically to requirements set by the Québec authorities and is more specifically focused on Québecois French than is the TCF Canada. 

TCF IRN (Intégration, Résidence, Nationalité)

The TCF IRN is specifically used to apply for French nationality, a long-term residency permit in France, or as part of the citizenship process. It is a less rigorous test and only tests French learners up to the B1 (intermediate) level.

The test is made up of four mandatory sections:

• Listening comprehension – 20 multiple choice questions (15 minutes)

• Reading comprehension – 20 multiple choice questions (20 minutes)

• Written skills – 3 exercises (30 minutes)

• Verbal skills – 3 exercises completed one-on-one with an examiner (10 minutes)

TCF-DAP 

You may see people referring to the TCF-DAP, but this is not the name of an official test. Rather, the DAP (demande d'admission préalable) is the language requirement for admission to universities in France. It requires the TCF TP including the written skills section. 

Check with your institution to confirm specific requirements before registering for any tests.

Preparation: Best practices and official resources

Here are a few quick study tips and recommended resources.

TCF prep tips 

1. Familiarize yourself with the TCF format, what to expect on test day, and sample tests so you can do your best.

2. Spend time reviewing past lessons, including grammar and vocabulary.

3. Practice listening to different kinds of French media and conversation.

4. Remember, the test is designed to assess your overall level of French proficiency, so the best thing you can do is build your confidence and refresh yourself on what you’ve learned to date.

Recommended resources

• Find sample tests on the France Éducation international website.

• Study with TV5 monde and RFI.

• Take a placement test and study at your level with Busuu.

• Make use of France Éducation international’s official resource list.

Test-taking tips, section-by-section 

• Multiple choice sections – Answer the questions you know first, making sure to come back to any you find challenging. France Éducation international recommends you not lose time writing notes about multiple choice questions.

• Listening comprehension – Make a special effort to concentrate during listening portions – each recording is only played once.

• Written skills – You will lose points if you do not write clearly, fail to follow word count requirements, write off-topic or fail to complete a task. Time management is especially important in this section. 

• Verbal skills – Find a way to practice natural conversation before your test to build your comfort level listening and responding spontaneously.

• Overall – Read or listen to directions carefully, and manage your time wisely. Keep an eye on the clock as you move between sections and exercises.