TEF Canada is a general French-language test designed for both Francophones (French-speaking) as well as non-native French speakers to evaluate their skills and proficiency levels in French. The full form of the TEF exam is Test d’Évaluation de Français pour le Canada. The TEF Canada exam uses a seven-level scale that is aligned to the levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL) and the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) to evaluate applicants' linguistic proficiency in French.
The Quebec Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities (MICC) and Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) both accept the TEF Canada as official evidence of language competency for applications for citizenship, the Quebec Selection Certificate, and permanent residency. Candidates who want to gauge their level of French proficiency for their Quebec or Canada immigration applications or Canadian citizenship applications should take the TEF exam in Canada. To take this test, however, the applicant must be a minimum of at least 16 years old.
The TEF exam a.k.a French Exam is mostly taken for the following purposes:
- Immigrating to Canada and obtaining Canadian citizenship (TEF Canada)
- For PR in Québec province in Canada (TEF Quebec)
- Attesting your French skills for academics and employment in France (TCF DAP)
- Obtaining the French residency card (TEF Residence)
- Obtaining French or Swiss nationality (TEF Naturalisation)
- Test for Evaluating French for Access to Quebec (TEFaQ)
In this article, we will majorly discuss about TEF Exam in Canada for immigration and employment purposes.
TEF Canada Exam Pattern
As discussed, the TEF Canada test is required for study programmes or immigration purposes that need validation of French language proficiency. Using the TEF test, which acts as proof of French linguistic competence, one can become a citizen of Canada. To crack this exam efficiently, candidates must already have a certain level of French language proficiency. The following is a discussion of the TEF Canada exam pattern to help you understand the format of the exam and prepare for it constructively:
Oral Comprehension (OC)
The Oral Comprehension section aims to assess your ability to comprehend spoken French by listening to recorded conversations or audio clips. Here are some details:
Total Time: 40 mins
No. of Questions: 60
Format: Multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ)
Scale: Each question has two, four, or five options, but there is only one correct answer.
Overall Points: 360
Written Comprehension (CE)
The Written Comprehension section focuses on testing your ability to read and understand documents written in the French language. Below are a few details:
Total Time: 60 mins
No. of Questions: 50
Format: Multiple-choice questionnaire (MCQ)
Scale: Each question has four possible answers, but only one of them is right. On the computer, you can switch back and forth between the questions.
Overall Points: 300
Oral Expression (EO)
The Oral Expression section aims to assess your ability to communicate orally with another person in a French accent. The following are some details:
Total Time: 15 mins
No. of Topics: 2
Format: The test will be conducted in person and will have two sections:
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Section A: Obtaining information (5 minutes)
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Section B: Making a case to convince someone (10 minutes)
Overall Points: 450
Written Expression (EE)
The Written Expression section focuses on your ability to express yourself in written French. Here are a few details:
Total Time: 60 mins
No. of Topics: 2
Format: Section A and Section B must both be completed:
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Section A: Write the next part of a given article (no less than 80 words)
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Section B: Express and justify your point of view (no less than 200 words)
Overall Points: 450
Note: A computer is used to administer the written expression exam. Two entirely independent evaluators then make the necessary corrections.
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How is the TEF Test Score Calculated?
Using a 7-level scale, with 0 being the least and 6 being the most, your TEF score is assessed. Based on your TEF exam score, a proficiency level is assigned to you. You may be assigned to one of the levels listed below:
|
Language Level |
Description |
|---|---|
|
A1 Level |
Lower beginner |
|
A2 Level |
Upper beginner |
|
B1 Level |
Lower intermediate |
|
B2 Level |
Upper intermediate |
|
C1 Level |
Lower advanced |
|
C2 Level |
Upper advanced |
The following table outlines how the Common European Framework for Languages (CECR) A1 to C2 grades and the 12-point Canadian Language Benchmarks (NCLC - Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens) correspond with up to 6 skill levels of the TEF Canada exam.
TEF Canada Exam Registration
Everyone who wants to apply for the TEF exam must upload a scanned copy of their ID, a signature, and a photo on the official website of the TEF test. Applicants must also complete a form during registration that requests personal information that will appear on their certificates in the form of results. Further, test-takers are not required to hold a diploma to be eligible for the test.
Those applicants whose registrations are approved will receive an email invitation. Moreover, candidates must keep in mind to bring their official government-approved IDs to the test centre. Candidates must also keep in mind that if the head of the official TEF centre or your invigilator(s) is unable to take your photo on the exam day, you might need to present your photo ID.
Validity of TEF Canada
The validity of TEF Canada is up to two years from the date and time on which the exam was attended by the candidate. There is no cap on the number of attempts i.e., applicants may sit for the test as many times as they want. However, there must be a 30-day compulsory gap before re-registering for the test or between two consecutive attempts. After the completion of the exam, test takers will receive a certificate of completion through their registered emails after five to six weeks from the TEF test date.
Further, the TEF test is the only French test for Canada accepted for the Quebec Federal Skilled Worker Programme. That said, the exam is neither fully recognised outside France and Canada nor is accepted by any of the universities in France for admission-related purposes.
TEF Canada Exam Centres in India
In India, the TEF test is conducted several times a year at registered test centres. Different L’Alliance Française network branches in the country conduct distinct types of TEF exams in Canada, mainly for the province of Quebec. Students can take a centre-based test at one of the TEF exam centres that are available in India. A few of the recognised TEF centres in India are Bangalore, Bombay, Chandigarh, Cochin, Lucknow, Pune, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pondicherry, and Trivandrum. However, applicants must keep in mind that TEF test centres in India are not permanent and keep changing since not every AF institute conducts all types of TEF Canada exams required by the candidate. Hence, applicants should first contact their nearest exam centres to stay updated.
TEF Exam Points for Canada PR
You will need to demonstrate your fluency in either one or both of English's official sister languages, French, to apply for immigration through Express Entry Canada. Individuals who can score higher than the seven-minimum threshold will have a relatively strong chance of being selected since Express Entry has become so rigorous. Also, candidates who perform well in the TEF Canada exam can substantially enhance their Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score in addition to their probability of selection for several Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) in Canada.
You could take the IELTS exam or the CELPIP exam to prove that you are proficient in the English language. Even after IELTS/CELPIP, you could still take the TEF language test to strengthen your CRS score if you need more points for Express Entry and desire to do so. Thus, you must take this French exam for Canada if you want to improve your points in Express Entry by exemplifying your fluency in the language. The following pointers will help you understand an approximation of the points you can earn for Canada PR by giving the TEF exam:
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If you receive CLB 5/6 in each of the four skills, namely writing, listening, reading, and speaking for French as a second language, you will receive 4 points. If you receive CLB 7/8 and CLB 9/10, it can increase to 12 and 24 points, respectively. Plus, at the intermediate level (B1), you might earn 4 points.
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If you have CLB 7 in French and CLB 5 or above in English, you can earn up to 50 extra points (French as your second language) in addition to the standard 4 to 24 points. A further 25 points will be awarded if you have a CLB 7 in French and a CLB 4 or below in English or are not sitting for an English exam.
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To get additional bonus points, CLB 7 is required in each of the four sections. The minimal requirement for skill types 0 and A is CLB7.
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Based on your TEF test scores, you can earn a total of 0 to 74 points. Nonetheless, you can gain approximately 62 to 74 points if you receive CLB 7 or higher (B2, C1, or C2) in every section.
Note: Unless you are at a higher intermediate (B2) or advanced level (C1 or C2), there is no significant benefit to taking the TEF Canada Test.
Candidates must keep in mind that there will be no exits allowed during the entire multiple-choice section of the exam (about 1 hour and 40 minutes). Exits will not be permitted during the complete written expression exam (60 minutes) unless a candidate has a medical emergency that has been previously disclosed by them and is supported by a medical certificate. Also, after the exam has begun, latecomers will not be permitted in the examination hall.
Feeling this information is insufficient or need detailed information about the TEF exam in Canada? Write to us at abroad@collegedekho.com. to get your queries resolved by our study abroad experts!
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