Breaking Down the TCF Canada and TEF Canada – Scoring System & What You Need to Know
The TCF Canada and TEF Canada are the two official French language proficiency exams that are recognized by IRCC for the purpose of Canadian immigration. To qualify for various temporary and permanent residency pathways, candidates must achieve a certain language proficiency level, also known as CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark). The purpose of this article is to help test-takers understand how the scoring system works and what scores they need for immigration.
What are these Exams?
The TCF Canada and TEF Canada assess the test-takers skills in four key categories:
Listening (Compréhension Orale)
Reading (Compréhension Écrite)
Writing (Expression Écrite)
Speaking (Expression Orale)
Both exams are accepted by IRCC for various immigration pathways such as the Express Entry, Provincial Nomination Programs, Francophone Communities Immigration Pilot, Francophone Mobility Work Permit to name a few. Both exams also have authorized test centres, where those who wish to take the test must book an exam and depending on the test centre, the exam may be in computer-based or paper-based formats for both. While both tests are by and large similar, they do have subtle differences, which if understood can make all the difference in achieving that desired CLB 5 or CLB 7.
TCF Canada
The Test de Connaissance du Français Canada, or better known as the TCF Canada is a French language proficiency test administered by the Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie de Paris Île-de-France (CCIP).
Scoring Range:
Listening (Compréhension Orale): 0 to 699 points
Reading (Compréhension Écrite): 0 to 699 points
Speaking (Expression Orale): Rated out of 20
Writing (Expression Écrite): Rated out of 20
Test Structure:
Listening (Compréhension Orale): 39 multiple-choice questions, 35 minutes.
Reading (Compréhension Écrite): 39 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes.
Speaking (Expression Orale): Three tasks with increasing difficulty, 12 minutes.
Writing (Expression Écrite): Three tasks with increasing difficulty, 60 minutes.
What TCF Canada score equates to CLB 5?
Listening (Compréhension Orale): 369-397 points
Reading (Compréhension Écrite): 375-405 points
Speaking (Expression Orale): 6
Writing (Expression Écrite): 6
What TCF Canada score equates to CLB 7?
Listening (Compréhension Orale): 458-502 points
Reading (Compréhension Écrite): 453–498 points
Speaking (Expression Orale): 10-11
Writing (Expression Écrite): 10-11
For more information, visit the TCF Canada official website.
TEF Canada
The Test d’Évaluation de Français Canada, or better known as TEF Canada is a French language proficiency test administered by the France Éducation International (FEI).
Scoring Range:
Listening (Compréhension Orale): 0 to 699 points
Reading (Compréhension Écrite): 0 to 699 points
Speaking (Expression Orale): 0 to 450 points
Writing (Expression Écrite): 0 to 450 points
Test Structure:
Listening (Compréhension Orale): 60 multiple-choice questions, 40 minutes.
Reading (Compréhension Écrite): 50 multiple-choice questions, 60 minutes.
Speaking (Expression Orale): Two tasks involving interaction, 15 minutes.
Writing (Expression Écrite): Two tasks, 60 minutes.
What TEF Canada score equates to CLB5?
Listening (Compréhension Orale): 181-216 points
Reading (Compréhension Écrite): 151-180 points
Speaking (Expression Orale): 226-270
Writing (Expression Écrite): 226-270
What TCF Canada score equates to CLB 7?
Listening (Compréhension Orale): 249-279 points
Reading (Compréhension Écrite): 207–232 points
Speaking (Expression Orale): 310-348
Writing (Expression Écrite): 310-348
For more information, visit the TEF Canada official website.
How do the TCF Canada and TEF Canada compare to each other?
While the purpose of both is the same, to test the takers French language abilities, test-takers would tell you that the experience of each is quite different. Students often say that the Reading and Writing section of the TCF Canada, compared to the TEF Canada, are easier; or at least seem to be, with TEF Canada requiring more creativity and a strong vocabulary, whereas the TCF Canada structure is more straightforward.
Also, when it comes to the listening section, students are split, some say that the fast pace and multiple questions per section in the TEF Canada make it difficult, while others find that the TCF Canada may pose more difficulties in speaking.
Lastly, TCF Canada is organized by the same institution that conducts the widely known DELF Exams, and, in turn, may feel more familiar to those who have a more traditional preparation method.
How to choose the right test
The difference in the TCF Canada and TEF Canada is subtle, after all, they test for the same thing; however, choosing the right test might make the difference for you to achieve your goal. The core competencies may be the same, however, your individual areas of strength may help you excel in one test more than the other. Similarly, if there a particular core competency that that you find challenging, your test choice might ensure that your weakness does not come across.
Then there is also the format and structure of the exam which subtly varies, and you may find that you perform better in one structure versus the other.
In conclusion, your test choice should be personalized to facilitate you to get the highest score you possibly can - and for making this choice, WE CAN HELP YOU!
At Crack the TCF Canada, we specialize in training students for both, TCF Canada and TEF Canada. Our experienced instructors are able analyze what suits and doesn’t suit your style of preparation and thus, may impact your ability to evaluate your French language skills.
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