The free TEF Canada guide and practice exam
Everything you need to reach your NCLC target on the TEF Canada: how the four tests work in their current format, how scores convert to NCLC levels for Express Entry and citizenship, what examiners reward, and a full practice exam with an answer key and model answers.
- Current 2026 format
- Full 80-question practice exam
- Writing and speaking models
- Free PDF, no signup
Free PDF · 73 pages · 1.3 MB · No signup
What’s inside the ebook
11 chapters on the TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français), then a full 80-question practice test with an answer key.
- 01
How to use this book
Who the guide is for, and the fastest route through it if your exam date is close.
- 02
What the TEF Canada is and why your score matters
Who accepts the TEF Canada, how it differs from TEF Québec and the TCF, and how a strong French score changes an Express Entry profile.
- 03
The TEF Canada format at a glance
The four tests, their sections, question counts and timings in the current format, and the traps hidden in each one.
- 04
TEF Canada scores and NCLC levels
How each test is scored, the full TEF to NCLC conversion grid, and the levels IRCC programs ask for.
- 05
Listening: compréhension orale
The eight listening sections from dialogues with drawings to radio reports, what each one tests and how to pace 40 questions in 40 minutes.
- 06
Reading: compréhension écrite
The seven reading sections, the hidden grammar questions in sections B and C, and how to finish 40 questions in 60 minutes.
- 07
Writing: expression écrite
Section A (continue a news story) and Section B (argue your opinion): structures, connectors, word counts and what examiners reward.
- 08
Speaking: expression orale
Section A (ask for information) and Section B (convince a friend): how the interview works, the phrases that score, and how to handle objections.
- 09
A 4-week study plan
Four weeks of about one hour a day, covering every section twice and including two full timed exams.
- 10
Test-day checklist
What to bring, how the day runs, and the small habits that protect your score.
- 11
Practise the TEF Canada on Mocko
How to take full TEF Canada mocks with real audio, timers and NCLC score reports, starting with one free full exam.
Full TEF Canada practice exam
All four tests in the current format: 40 listening and 40 reading questions in the official section order, both writing tasks and both speaking tasks, with an answer key, model answers and a partner script for the listening test.
Before you study: find out your NCLC today
Reading about the TEF Canada tells you how it works. Sitting it tells you what to fix. Mocko runs full TEF Canada mock exams in the real format, with audio played once, the real timers and a score report for every skill.
Reach CLB 7 with the 3-month plan, or get another three months free. See the conditions.
- Real TEF Canada formatAll four tests with the official sections, question counts and timers.
- Listening with real audioNative-speaker recordings played once, exactly like the real exam.
- Writing and speaking scoredYour texts and recordings are scored, with detailed feedback in Premium.
- NCLC score reportSee your level in each skill and exactly which sections cost you points.
What the TEF Canada is and why your score matters
The TEF Canada (Test d’évaluation de français) is a French proficiency exam made by Le français des affaires, part of the Paris Île-de-France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Paris Île-de-France). It is designed for Canada and is accepted by IRCC for Express Entry, other economic immigration programs and Canadian citizenship. Results are valid for two years.
The exam has four separate tests: listening (compréhension orale), reading (compréhension écrite), writing (expression écrite) and speaking (expression orale). Each one gets its own score, and IRCC converts each score to a level on the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC), the French equivalent of the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).
Why a strong French score is worth so much
- Express Entry points. Your first official language can earn up to 136 core points (128 if you apply with a spouse or partner), and French can be that first language.
- The French bonus. Candidates who reach NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills get up to 50 additional points: 50 if their English is CLB 5 or higher, 25 if it is CLB 4 or lower or untested.
- French-language draws. IRCC runs category-based Express Entry draws for strong French speakers, and their cut-off scores have often been far lower than general draws.
- Citizenship. Adult applicants need NCLC 4 or higher in speaking and listening, and the TEF Canada is an accepted proof.
TEF Canada, TEF Québec and TCF Canada
| TEF Canada | TEF Québec (TEFAQ) | TCF Canada | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used for | Federal immigration, citizenship | Quebec immigration programs | Federal immigration, citizenship |
| Made by | CCI Paris Île-de-France | CCI Paris Île-de-France | France Éducation international |
| Tests | All four skills | Skills required by Quebec | All four skills |
| Score to NCLC | Yes, official IRCC grid | Quebec uses its own rules | Yes, official IRCC grid |
Find out how far you are from NCLC 7
Take the free TEF Canada mock on Mocko and see your level in listening, reading, writing and speaking before you pay for the real exam.
Get my free score reportThe TEF Canada format at a glance
The exam takes about 2 hours 55 minutes in total. Listening and reading are multiple-choice tests taken on computer (e-TEF) at approved centres, with paper still used at some. Writing is typed or handwritten depending on the centre, and speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, recorded for marking.
| Test | Questions or tasks | Time | Score scale | NCLC 7 from |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Compréhension orale (listening) | 40 questions in 8 sections | 40 minutes | 0 to 360 | 249 |
| Compréhension écrite (reading) | 40 questions in 7 sections | 60 minutes | 0 to 300 | 207 |
| Expression écrite (writing) | 2 tasks, at least 80 + 200 words | 60 minutes | 0 to 450 | 310 |
| Expression orale (speaking) | 2 tasks, face to face | 15 minutes | 0 to 450 | 310 |
Three things the table does not show
- Reading hides a grammar test. Sections B and C of the reading test are gap-fills: they check prepositions, connectors, tenses and vocabulary. Weak grammar costs reading points before you reach the long texts.
- Listening plays once. Every recording is heard a single time. You can read the question and the options before the audio starts, and you should.
- Difficulty climbs inside each test. Both comprehension tests move from everyday A1 to A2 documents at the start to B2 and C1 material at the end. Bank the early points quickly to save time for the hard items.
Rehearse the exact format
Mocko’s TEF Canada mocks follow the same sections, question counts and timers as the real exam, with listening audio that plays once. Nothing on exam day will be new.
Try a TEF mock on MockoTEF Canada sample questions with answers
A few questions from the practice test in the ebook. The full test has 80.
Listen to a short everyday conversation and choose the drawing that matches the situation. On the real test you see four pictures; here each drawing is described in words.
Quel dessin correspond à la situation ?
- ADessin : une femme achète du pain dans une boulangerie.
- BDessin : un homme retire de l’argent au guichet automatique d’une banque.
- CDessin : un homme indique le chemin à une femme dans la rue.
- DDessin : une femme donne un médicament à un homme.
Show the answerHide the answer
C. Dessin : un homme indique le chemin à une femme dans la rue.
The man is giving directions: « vous continuez tout droit, puis vous tournez à gauche ».
Listen to a voicemail or phone message and answer the question about it.
Pourquoi Julie appelle-t-elle Mme Tremblay ?
- APour lui rappeler son rendez-vous de jeudi.
- BPour lui présenter un nouveau dentiste.
- CPour annuler tous ses rendez-vous.
- DPour déplacer son rendez-vous.
Show the answerHide the answer
D. Pour déplacer son rendez-vous.
The dentist is away on Thursday (« sera malheureusement absent »), so Julie offers Friday or Monday instead.
Read each short everyday document and choose the correct answer.
Que doivent apporter les participants ?
- AUn verre réutilisable.
- BUn billet d’entrée.
- CUn plat à partager.
- DUn parapluie.
Show the answerHide the answer
A. Un verre réutilisable.
The poster says « Apportez votre verre réutilisable » and entry is free, so no ticket is needed.
Choose the word or phrase that correctly completes each sentence.
Hier soir, nous ________ au cinéma avec des collègues du bureau.
- Asommes allés
- Bavons allés
- Callons
- Dirons
Show the answerHide the answer
A. sommes allés
« Hier soir » requires the passé composé, and « aller » takes the auxiliary être: « sommes allés ».
Read each administrative or professional document and answer the two questions about it.
Que risque une personne qui ne respecte pas le règlement ?
- AUne amende fixée par la municipalité.
- BUne interdiction d’accès à la pataugeoire.
- CLe remboursement partiel de son entrée.
- DUne exclusion sans remboursement de son entrée.
Show the answerHide the answer
D. Une exclusion sans remboursement de son entrée.
The last line says a breach may lead to « l’expulsion, sans remboursement du droit d’entrée ».
Read the opening of a short news item, then continue the article in the same journalistic style. Invent a logical development and an ending.
Show the answerHide the answer
Alertée vers 6 h 30, la propriétaire, Mme Lavoie, a d’abord cru à une plaisanterie de ses employés. « Quand je suis arrivée, il nous regardait sans bouger, comme s’il attendait son croissant », a-t-elle raconté. Par prudence, elle a aussitôt fait évacuer la cuisine et a contacté les agents de protection de la faune. Ceux-ci sont arrivés une heure plus tard et ont rapidement trouvé l’explication : une grille d’aération mal fixée donnait directement sur la ruelle. Le renard, sans doute attiré par l’odeur du pain, s’était faufilé par cette ouverture pendant la nuit. L’animal, qui n’était pas blessé, a été relâché dans un boisé voisin. La boulangerie a rouvert ses portes en fin de matinée, après un nettoyage complet, et la grille a été réparée le jour même.
Examiners check that your continuation fits the opening exactly (same place, same characters, no contradictions) and that it reads like a real article: a witness quote, precise times, a cause and a resolution. Control of passé composé for events versus imparfait and plus-que-parfait for background is the main grammar marker, and linking words such as d’abord, aussitôt, rapidement, après lift the coherence score.
Hear it, speak it, get scored
A PDF cannot play audio or listen to you. Take a full TEF Canada practice test on Mocko with real audio, the same timers and a score report for every skill.
Questions about the TEF Canada ebook
Is the TEF Canada ebook really free?
Yes. The PDF is free to download, print and share, with no signup and no email address required.
Is this guide up to date with the current TEF Canada format?
Yes. It follows the format in use since December 2023: 40 listening questions in 40 minutes, 40 reading questions in 60 minutes, two writing tasks in 60 minutes and two speaking tasks in 15 minutes, with the matching NCLC conversion grid.
Does the ebook include a full TEF Canada practice test with answers?
Yes. It includes a complete practice exam with all 80 listening and reading questions in the official section order, both writing tasks and both speaking tasks, an answer key with explanations, model answers and a partner script for the listening test.
What TEF Canada score do I need for Express Entry?
Most candidates aim for NCLC 7 in all four skills, which means at least 249 in listening, 207 in reading, 310 in writing and 310 in speaking. NCLC 7 in all four French skills also unlocks up to 50 additional Express Entry points.
How can I practise TEF listening from a PDF?
The book includes a partner script so a friend can read each recording to you once. To practise with real audio and the real timer, you can take a TEF Canada mock on Mocko. Your first full mock is free.
Should I take the TEF Canada or the TCF Canada?
Both are accepted by IRCC for Express Entry and citizenship. TEF has a predictable section structure and gap-fill grammar in reading; TCF has three shorter writing tasks and questions that rise steadily in difficulty. Mocko also publishes a free TCF Canada guide.
More free TEF Canada resources
Download The TEF Canada Guide
Format, NCLC scores, strategies for all four tests and a full practice exam with answers. Free to download, print and share.
Download the free PDF73 pages · 1.3 MB · No signup
