# TCF Canada: the complete guide

> TCF Canada explained: four compulsory tests, 39-item reading and listening, writing and speaking out of 20, booking at an approved centre, 2-year validity.

Canonical: https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tcf-canada
Last updated: 2026-10-26

The Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada) is France Éducation international’s French test for Canadian immigration and citizenship. IRCC accepts it alongside TEF Canada.

## The four tests

All four tests are compulsory, and France Éducation international says Canadian authorities accept no exemptions.

*TCF Canada: four compulsory tests (France Éducation international)*
| Test | Format | Time | Score |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Compréhension orale (listening) | 39 multiple-choice items | 35 minutes | 100–699 and a CEFR level |
| Compréhension écrite (reading) | 39 multiple-choice items | 60 minutes | 100–699 and a CEFR level |
| Expression écrite (writing) | 3 tasks, each with a minimum and maximum word count | 60 minutes | Out of 20 |
| Expression orale (speaking) | 3 tasks face to face, 2 minutes of preparation for the second | 12 minutes | Out of 20 |

### Listening and reading

Each comprehension test has **39 multiple-choice items**: 35 minutes for listening, 60 for reading. Only right answers count. Practise with our [TCF Canada reading practice](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tcf-canada-practice-test) and the [listening practice](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada-listening-practice).

### Writing: three tasks in 60 minutes

Each task comes with a minimum and a maximum word count, and you have to respect both. France Éducation international warns that a task under the word count, off topic, missing, or copied from the prompt can be rated “A1 not reached”.

### Writing practice 1

**The task:** TCF Canada writing: one of three tasks done in 60 minutes in total. Each task has a minimum and maximum word count printed with it; respect both.

> **Practice prompt (ours):** Vous venez d’emménager dans un nouvel appartement à Ottawa. Écrivez un message à vos voisins pour vous présenter et les inviter à prendre un café chez vous samedi après-midi. Précisez l’heure et votre numéro d’appartement.

- Do everything the prompt asks: present yourself, invite, give the time and the apartment number.
- France Éducation international says a task under the word count, off topic or copied from the prompt can be rated “A1 not reached”.
- Match the register to the reader: friendly but polite with new neighbours.

### Writing practice 2

**The task:** TCF Canada writing: one of three tasks done in 60 minutes in total. Each task has a minimum and maximum word count printed with it; respect both.

> **Practice prompt (ours):** Deux opinions s’opposent dans votre ville : certains veulent transformer un terrain vacant en parc, d’autres préfèrent y construire des logements abordables. Présentez les deux points de vue, puis donnez votre propre opinion en la justifiant.

- Present each side fairly in your own words before giving your view.
- Don’t copy sentences from the prompt: rephrase.
- Keep inside the word range; going over the maximum also counts against you.

### Speaking: three tasks in 12 minutes

Speaking is a one-on-one test with an examiner. You get **2 minutes to prepare for the second task**. The conversation is recorded and sent to France Éducation international for a second marking.

### Speaking practice 1

**The task:** TCF Canada speaking: one of three tasks in a 12-minute face-to-face test with an examiner. No preparation time except for the second task.

> **Practice prompt (ours):** Présentez-vous : parlez de votre parcours, de votre travail ou de vos études, et de ce que vous aimez faire dans vos temps libres.

- Answer in full sentences and add a detail or a reason each time.
- Use several tenses: present for now, passé composé for your past, futur proche for plans.
- Speak at a natural pace; it’s fine to pause briefly to think.

### Speaking practice 2

**The task:** TCF Canada speaking: one of three tasks in a 12-minute face-to-face test with an examiner. Practise giving and defending an opinion.

> **Practice prompt (ours):** Selon vous, est-il préférable de vivre dans une grande ville ou dans une petite ville ? Donnez votre opinion et justifiez-la avec des exemples.

- Give your opinion in the first sentence, then two or three reasons with examples.
- Show you can nuance: cela dit, d’un autre côté, tout dépend de…
- End with a one-sentence conclusion.

## Scores

Listening and reading each get a score **from 100 to 699** and a CEFR level from “A1 not reached” to C2. Writing and speaking are each marked **out of 20**. IRCC turns these into NCLC levels.

See the [score converter](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/nclc-converter) to turn a TEF Canada or TCF Canada score into an NCLC level.

## Booking a TCF Canada (rendez-vous)

1. **Pick an approved centre.** You take the TCF Canada at a centre approved by France Éducation international. See our list of [TCF Canada test centres in Canada](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tcf-canada-test-centres).
2. **Ask for dates and the fee.** Each centre runs its own sessions and sets its own price, so compare a few.
3. **Plan around retakes.** You have to wait **30 days** before registering for a new session, so book early if your deadline is close.

## Results and validity

The certificate is valid for **2 years** from the date it’s issued. IRCC needs results less than 2 years old when you create your Express Entry profile and when you apply. France Éducation international doesn’t publish one results delay for every centre, so ask yours when you book.

> We’re an independent practice site. We’re not affiliated with CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF Canada), France Éducation international (TCF Canada) or IRCC, and our questions are our own writing, not real exam questions.

## Questions people ask

### What is the TCF Canada?

France Éducation international’s French test for Canadian immigration and citizenship, accepted by IRCC. It has four compulsory tests: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

### How do I book a TCF Canada rendez-vous?

Contact a centre approved by France Éducation international. Each centre sets its own dates and fee. After a sitting you have to wait 30 days before registering for a new one.

### How long is the TCF Canada?

Listening 35 minutes, reading 60, writing 60 and speaking 12.

### How is the TCF Canada scored?

Listening and reading from 100 to 699 with a CEFR level; writing and speaking out of 20 each. IRCC converts these to NCLC levels.

### How long are TCF Canada results valid?

Two years from the date the certificate is issued.

## Sources

- [TCF Canada: épreuves obligatoires (France Éducation international)](https://www.france-education-international.fr/en/document/presentationtcfcanada-en) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Lettre Diplômes et tests no 4, mars 2022: 39 items en compréhension (France Éducation international)](https://www.france-education-international.fr/sources/lettre-dec-diplomes-tests/2022/Mars/n4-actualite-diplomes-tests.html) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Déroulement d’une passation du TCF (France Éducation international)](https://www.france-education-international.fr/en/node/199?langue=en) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Comprendre mes résultats au TCF (France Éducation international)](https://www.france-education-international.fr/en/node/752?langue=en) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Knowledge of French: Skilled Worker Selection Program (PSTQ) (Gouvernement du Québec, quebec.ca)](https://www.quebec.ca/en/immigration/permanent/skilled-workers/skilled-worker-selection-program/requirements/knowledge-french) (checked 2026-10-26)
- [Express Entry: language test results (IRCC, canada.ca)](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements/language-testing.html) (checked 2026-10-26)

Not affiliated with CCI Paris Île-de-France (TEF), France Éducation international (TCF) or IRCC.

## Related

- [TCF Canada practice test: compréhension écrite](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tcf-canada-practice-test)
- [TEF Canada vs TCF Canada](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/vs/tef-vs-tcf)
- [TEF Canada: the complete guide](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/tef-canada)
- [French for Express Entry: the levels that count](https://frenchtestcanada.ca/french-for-express-entry)