TCF 2025 test training
What is the TCF?
The TCF is an official language certification managed by France Éducation International (a public institution under the supervision of the Ministry of National Education).
It is aimed at anyone over 16 years old, whose mother tongue is not French, wishing to validate their knowledge of spoken and written French.
TCF holders can use their certification for a variety of purposes (admission to higher education in France, job search, immigration to Canada or Quebec, etc.). The certification is recognized by:
- The Ministry of Higher Education and Research;
- The Directorate for Integration and Access to Nationality (under the aegis of the Ministry of the Interior);
- The Ministry of Culture;
- The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration of Quebec (MIFI);
- The Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC);
- Universities;
- Language training centers;
-
Businesses.
From the date of delivery of the results, the TCF is valid for 2 years.
The 4 versions of the TCF
The TCF is available in 4 versions, each aimed at different objectives and audiences.
TCF for all audiences (TP)
The TCF TP is the most general version of the test. It is intended for any non-French speaker over the age of 16 who wishes to have their French level certified, whether for personal, academic, or professional reasons.
For example, the official TCF TP certificate may be required by certain French universities or by employers wishing to verify the level of French of applicants.
TCF Canada (CA)
The TCF CA is intended for anyone over 16 years of age, whether French-speaking or not, who is considering applying for economic immigration to Canada or obtaining Canadian citizenship.
TCF Quebec (QC)
The TCF QC is reserved for people over 16 years old, French-speaking or not, who wish to submit an immigration application to Quebec.
TCF Integration, Residence and Nationality (IRN)
The TCF IRN is aimed at people over 16 years old who must attest to their level of French as part of certain administrative procedures in France, in particular for:
- Apply for a long-term resident card;
- Apply for French nationality;
-
Provide proof of level A1 as part of the OFII citizenship course.
The TCF exams
The TCF assesses your general French language skills. Depending on the version taken, you will be required to take all or part of the following 5 tests:
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Listening comprehension : you must listen to recordings of everyday life (conversations, radio broadcasts, etc.) and answer comprehension questions in the form of multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with 4 answer options, only one of which is correct;
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Reading comprehension: you must read different types of texts (articles, messages, menus, extracts from literary texts, etc.) and answer questions on their content;
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Mastery of language structures: the test is presented in the form of multiple-choice questions and tests your knowledge of grammar, conjugation and vocabulary;
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Oral expression: the test is a face-to-face interview with an examiner during which your ability to express your ideas clearly orally is assessed;
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Written expression: this test is presented in the form of production exercises and includes several writing tasks of progressive difficulty (tasks 1, 2 and 3) which measure your ability to describe, justify a point of view, argue and organize your ideas.
Depending on the test version, not all tests are mandatory. Here are the tests to take depending on the TCF chosen:
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Version
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Mandatory or optional tests
|
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TCF TP
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Mandatory tests:
- Written comprehension (29 MCQs) - 45 mins;
- Oral comprehension (29 MCQs) - 25 mins;
- Mastery of language structures (18 MCQs) - 15 minutes.
Optional tests:
- Written expression (3 exercises) - 60 mins;
- Oral expression (3 exercises) - 12 mins.
|
|
TCF IRN
|
Mandatory tests:
- Written comprehension (20 MCQs) - 20 mins;
- Oral comprehension (20 MCQs) - 15 mins;
- Written expression (3 exercises) - 30 mins;
- Oral expression (3 exercises) 10 mins.
|
|
TCF CA
|
Mandatory tests:
- Written comprehension (39 MCQs) - 60 mins;
- Oral comprehension (39 MCQs) - 35 mins;
- Written expression (3 exercises) - 60 mins;
- Oral expression (3 exercises) - 12 mins.
|
|
TCF QC
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1 to 4 tests to choose from:
- Written comprehension (39 MCQs) - 60 mins;
- Oral comprehension (39 MCQs) - 35 mins;
- Written expression (3 exercises) - 60 mins;
- Oral expression (3 exercises) - 12 mins.
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Understanding the notation
Each TCF test is graded individually:
- The oral comprehension (CO), mastery of language structures (MSL) and written comprehension (CC) tests are marked from 100 to 699 points;
- The written expression (EE) and oral expression (EO) tests are marked out of 20.
At the end of the test, you will receive an official certificate stating the scores obtained for each test, as well as the associated Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) level. Levels range from A1 (beginner) to C2 (proficiency) and correspond to the TCF scores according to the following scale:
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CEFR level
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TCF score
(CO, CC and MSL)
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TCF score
(EE and EO)
|
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A1
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100 to 199 points
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1
|
|
A2
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200 to 299 points
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2 to 5
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B1
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300 to 399 points
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6 to 9
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B2
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400 to 499 points
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10 to 13
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C1
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500 to 599 points
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14 to 17
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C2
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600 to 699 points
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18 to 20
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Please note: if you decide to take the TCF for a specific purpose (immigration application, obtaining French nationality or Canadian citizenship), you will need to demonstrate a certain level (for example, level A2 is required to obtain a resident card in France).
The TCF results certificate is valid for 2 years after its issue.
How to train for the TCF?
Like most language certifications, the TCF requires preparation several months in advance. The goal is to familiarize you with the test instructions, but also to strengthen your written and spoken French skills.
As soon as possible, establish a revision schedule that includes practice exercises to assimilate the structure of the tests and practice tests to put you in real exam conditions.
To improve your efficiency, you can practice with a dedicated online training platform. For example, PrepMyFuture offers a complete TCF preparation program with 40 course sheets, 3 practice tests, 1 TCF mini-test, and over 1,000 exercises to help you familiarize yourself with the test structure. In addition to the TCF for all ages (TP), PrepMyFuture preparation covers:
How to register for the exam?
Registration for the TCF is done directly with an approved examination center. You can find the list of approved centers in France and abroad on the official France Éducation International website.
Once you have contacted the examination center closest to you, they will provide you with all the necessary information:
- The dates and locations of the next available sessions;
- The methods of taking the tests (on computer or on paper);
- Registration fees.
To register, you must provide a valid ID (the same document will be requested on the day of the test).
You can take the TCF as many times as necessary, provided you respect a period of 30 days between each session.
Where to take the test?
The TCF can be taken at one of 700 accredited centers worldwide. In France, you can take the TCF at Alliance Française (French Alliances), Instituts Français (French Institutes of Education), GRETA (French Educational and Training Centers), and many universities.
To locate the center closest to you, consult the official list available on the France Éducation International website.
Why take the TCF?
The TCF is a popular and internationally recognized test. It officially certifies your level of French if you are involved in:
-
A university project: some French universities and grandes écoles require foreign candidates to provide proof of their French language skills. You will then have to take the TCF (French National Exam) for all audiences;
-
Immigration project: A good level of French is required for several immigration procedures in Quebec and Canada. You will then have to take the TCF Québec or the TCF Canada, which are recognized by the immigration authorities;
-
Administrative procedures in France: for applications for a long-term resident card, naturalization, obtaining French citizenship or as part of the OFII citizenship course, you will need to take the TCF Integration, Residence and Nationality.
Beyond administrative obligations, taking the TCF can be useful if you wish to have your level of French officially recognized in a professional context (to support an application) or personal context (for example, to measure your progress in learning French).
Tips for passing the TCF
The TCF places your French level on the CEFR scale. The more you work on different language skills, the more likely you are to achieve a higher CEFR level in your certificate.
When it comes to language, there's no secret! Only daily practice of French will help you progress. In addition to standard exercises and practice tests, your TCF preparation should include sufficient time dedicated to improving each skill:
- Listen to podcasts and watch movies in French;
- Read French-language press articles daily;
- Practice writing texts according to the test instructions;
- Engage in conversations with native speakers as often as possible.
On the day of the test, be sure to read the instructions carefully and not waste any time. If you're unsure about a multiple-choice question, choose the most likely answer and continue with the test (there are no penalties for incorrect answers). In any case, trust yourself. With targeted TCF practice, you can easily achieve your target score.
FAQ
