Presentation of the TEF
Launched in 1998 by the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) is an internationally recognized assessment designed to measure proficiency in French, both in written and spoken communication.
The TEF provides a certificate valid for two years from the date of the test. This certification is recognized worldwide by several institutions, including:
- the French Ministry of National Education,
- the French Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation,
- the French Ministry of the Interior,
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC),
- the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration of Québec,
- and the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration.
What are the test components?
The structure of the TEF depends on your personal or professional goals.
Depending on your purpose, the test may include one to five modular sections:
- Reading comprehension,
- Listening comprehension,
- Vocabulary and structure,
- Written expression,
- Oral expression.
You simply need to select the TEF version that best matches your objectives and your project.
The Different Versions of the Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF)
| TEF Version | Main Purpose | Included Sections |
|---|---|---|
| TEF Integration, Residence, Nationality | For integration procedures in France, residence permit applications, or naturalization. | – Reading comprehension – Listening comprehension – Written expression – Oral expression |
| TEF Canada | For immigration or citizenship applications to Canada. | Immigration: – Reading comprehension – Listening comprehension – Written expression – Oral expression Citizenship: – Listening comprehension – Oral expression |
| TEF Québec | For immigration or citizenship procedures in Québec (tests vary depending on the program). | Immigration: – Reading comprehension – Listening comprehension – Written expression – Oral expression Citizenship: – Listening comprehension – Oral expression |
| TEF Studies | For students applying to French-speaking higher education institutions (DAP procedure, student mobility). | From 1 to 5 sections depending on institutional requirements: – Reading comprehension – Listening comprehension – Vocabulary and structure – Written expression – Oral expression |
| TEF General (All Publics) | To assess French proficiency for personal or professional purposes (language certification, recruitment, placement test). | From 1 to 5 sections based on your goals: – Reading comprehension – Listening comprehension – Vocabulary and structure – Written expression – Oral expression |
