The Test d’évaluation de français (TEF) (French assessment test) is an international gold standard for measuring French knowledge and skills. It attests to your level of French in any occupational, academic and mobility framework, particularly for:
- Immigrating to Québec, in the case of the TEF Québec (TEFAQ)
- Immigrating to Canada and obtaining Canadian citizenship, in the case of the TEF Canada
- Studying at the Université de Montréal, HEC or Polytechnique in the case of the TEF Admission Admission
- Studying at CEGEP (SRAM), in the case of the TEF Admission to CEGEP
As part of immigration procedures, the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) du Québec requires certification of your knowledge of French.
To that end, it recognizes the TEF Québec (TEFAQ) tests.
TEF Québec (TEFAQ) tests
The TEF Québec (TEFAQ) consists of four modular tests:
- Oral comprehension: 40 minutes – 60 questions (mandatory test)
- Oral expression: 15 minutes – 2 subjects (mandatory test)
- Written comprehension: 60 minutes – 50 questions (optional test)
- Written expression: 60 minutes – 2 subjects (optional test)
In the TEF Québec (TEFAQ), you earn points according to the following scale:
| Main applicant A maximum of 16 points | A1 to B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 | |
| Oral comprehension | 40 minutes | 0 points | 5 points | 6 points | 7 points |
| Oral expression | 15 minutes | 0 points | 5 points | 6 points | 7 points |
| Written comprehension | 1 hour | 0 points | 1 point | 1 point | 1 point |
| Written expression | 1 hour | 0 points | 1 point | 1 point | 1 point |
| Spouse of the main applicant A maximum of 6 points | A1 to B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 | |
| Oral comprehension | 40 minutes | 0 points | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points |
| Oral expression | 15 minutes | 0 points | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points |
With the aim of obtaining a maximum number of points when you submit your results in your immigration application file, you must take the oral comprehension and expression tests and if your writing level is advanced, you can also submit all the written test results.
Immigrating to Canada and obtaining Canadian citizenship with the TEF Canada
As part of the immigration and citizenship application procedures, the federal government of Canada has recognized the TEF Canada since 2002 to certify an applicant’s knowledge of French.
TEF Canada tests
As part of a Canada immigration application, you must take the following tests:
- Oral comprehension: 40 minutes – 60 questions
- Written comprehension: 60 minutes – 50 questions
- Oral expression: 15 minutes – 2 subjects
- Written expression: 60 minutes – 2 subjects
As part of a Canadian citizenship application, you must take the following tests:
- Oral comprehension: 40 minutes – 60 questions
- Oral expression: 15 minutes – 2 subjects
Important! All the tests must be taken the same day for your certification to be recognized by the Canadian authorities.
TEF Admission to Université de Montréal, HEC or Polytechnique tests
The TEF Admission to Université de Montréal, HEC or Polytechnique consists of two mandatory tests:
- Oral comprehension: 40 minutes – 60 questions
- Written comprehension: 60 minutes – 50 questions
TEF Admission to CEGEP
For CEGEPs whose language of instruction is French, a language test is required for most international applicants, whether they have studied in the language of instruction of the CEGEP or not.
TEF Admission to CEGEP mandatory tests
- Oral comprehension: 40 minutes – 60 questions
- Written comprehension: 60 minutes – 50 questions
- Lexicon and structure: 30 minutes – 40 questions
Tests held at the Pavillon 3200, rue Jean-Brillant, Montréal
- Thursday September 21 at 8:00 a.m. (registration deadline September 14 at 4 p.m.)
- Friday September 29 at 8:00 a.m. (registration deadline September 22 at 4 p.m.)
- Saturday October 7 at 8:00 a.m. (registration deadline September 29 at 4 p.m.)
- Friday October 13 at 8:00 a.m. (registration deadline October 6 at 4 p.m.)
- Saturday October 21 at 8:00 a.m. (registration deadline October 13 at 4 p.m.)
- Thursday October 26 at 8:00 a.m. (registration deadline October 19 at 4 p.m.)
- Friday November 3 at 8:00 a.m. (registration deadline October 27 at 4 p.m.)
- Saturday November 11 at 8:00 a.m. (registration deadline November 3 at 4 p.m.)
- Friday November 17 at 8:00 a.m. (registration deadline November 10 at 4 p.m.)
- Thursday November 23 at 8:00 a.m. (registration deadline November 16 at 4 p.m.)
- Saturday November 25 at 8:00 a.m. (registration deadline November 17 at 4 p.m.)
- Tuesday November 28 at 8:00 a.m. (registration deadline November 21 at 4 p.m.)
Fees (exempt from taxes)
- Oral comprehension: $140
- Written comprehension: $70
- Oral expression: $140
- Written expression: $70
- Lexicon and structure: $70
There are a number of options to prepare for the TEF:
- Consult the tutorials to familiarize yourself with the TEF tests.
- Become familiar with the test format through the test examples available under that heading.
- Using the mobile app français 3.0, practice for the various French assessment tests.
- You can also prepare for the TEF with PrepMyFuture. This e-learning platform analyses your performances and proposes exercises adapted to your level. Use it to quickly pinpoint your weaknesses and measure your progress. Contact PrepMyFuture directly.
Before the test
When registering, you make a commitment to comply with the terms for registering and taking the test.
The day of the test
You must bring with you proof of your identity (a valid passport, a driver’s licence), without which you will not be allowed to take the test. No registration fees will be refunded if you do not have that proof with you. After checking your identity and your invitation (sent by email approximately one week before the test date), the invigilator will have you sign an identification document on a tablet. Carefully check your personal information at that time.
Important! In the event of an error or a change not indicated on the day of the test, no correction may be made once the results have been certified.
The invigilator will then indicate where you are to sit to begin the test.
Instructions to be followed during the tests
- You must turn off your mobile phone and any other electronic device.
- You may not use a dictionary or any other reference material.
- No personal effect may remain visible or on the table during the test, with the exception of your proof of identity.
- You may not communicate with other candidates.
- If you are late, you will not be admitted to the room once a test has begun.
- You may not leave the room at any time during the written tests.
During the test
The written comprehension and expression tests are taken on a computer. For those tests, the invigilator gives each candidate a username and a password, which enable the candidate to access the online test platform and follow the instructions for each test.
TEF Canada
Your results will be sent to the Université de Montréal test centre within 15 business days of the date of receipt of the session material. However, if your test includes a test of written expression, the correction time will be longer. Anticipate from four to six weeks to receive your results.
You will receive a paper certificate, issued by the Université de Montréal test centre. Remember to make a true certified copy of your certificate, since you must pay for any duplicate.
TEF Québec (TEFAQ)
You will receive an email giving you access to an electronic certificate of your results (you will not be issued a paper certificate).
The electronic certificate is an official document that you can submit to the appropriate authorities as part of your administrative procedures.
Each certificate is detailed and personalized (with your photo and your signature).
It indicates, for each test:
- The number of points obtained
- The level achieved
- A description of your current skills in French generally
The results are valid for two years. You may take the test again as many times as you wish, provided you comply with a 30-day interval between tests.
A registration is firm and definitive. The registration fees you pay are not refundable.
In the event of cancellation prior to the day of the test or absence on the day of the test for a major reason (illness, an employment obligation, the death of a relative, etc.), you must submit documentary proof (a medical certificate, a note from your employer, etc.) to the Université de Montréal test centre. The test centre associate then studies the reasons for the absence and, if they are valid, a new registration with the centre is proposed, without additional fees being charged.
In the event of an unjustified absence or withdrawal, you will not be refunded. You accept those conditions by signing the registration form at the time of your registration in our test centre.
If you have questions, please contact us at this address: centretests@fep.umontreal.ca.
An accommodation adapted to a disability may be obtained. A person with a specific accommodation need must, before any registration, contact us to submit their request at centretests@fep.umontreal.ca. The person must obtain a medical certificate from a practitioner who explains the nature of the disability and indicates recommendations for accommodation for the session (for the tests involved).