TCF - Test de connaissance du français

The TCF (Test de connaissance du français) is a French language proficiency test. It is a standardized and calibrated test that ranks candidates in one of six levels on a scale defined by the Council of Europe (Common European Framework of Reference for Language) and ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe). Developed by CIEP, a public institution of the French Ministry of Education, the test is validated by a scientific committee composed of the best French and European specialists.

TCF tous publics

The TCF is for people who would like to know their level of French proficiency for personal, professional or educational purposes.  It is a multiple-choice test that covers reading comprehension, command of language structures and listening comprehension. It also includes optional tests for written and spoken expression. 

Please note:  If you would like to submit a preliminary admission application (Dossier blanc, vert ou jaune de demande d’admission préalable) you will need to take the TCF-DAP.

TCF pour le Québec

The "TCF pour le Québec", or TCF for Quebec, has been specially designed to be consistent with the standards of the Ministry of Immigration (MICC) of Quebec, and is only intended for people wishing to settle in Quebec.
The TCF for Quebec includes two sections, listening comprehension and spoken expression.
Your TCF for Quebec certificate is only valid for your Quebec immigration application.

TCF pour l´accès à la nationalité française

The “TCF pour l’accès à la nationalité française” (TCF-ANF) has been specially designed to respond to the language requirements introduced by “le ministère français de l’Intérieur, de l’Outre-mer, des Collectivités territoriales et de l’Immigration” for those applying for French citizenship.  The TCF-ANF includes two sections, listening comprehension and spoken expression.  Your TCF-ANF certificate is only valid for your French citizenship application.

TCF pour la demande d'admission préalable (DAP)

If you want to register for the “premier cycle” or first stage of undergraduate studies or for a school of architecture in France and you do not have the DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française), you must take TCF pour la DAP (Demande d'Admission Préalable).

Test Dates

TCF-TP, TCF-Québec and TCF-ANF
Test Date Registration Deadline
March 23, 2013February 20, 2013
May 25, 2013April 24, 2013
July 27, 2013June 26, 2013
TCF-DAP
Test Date Registration Deadline
February 23, 2013Closed

Test Components and Fees

Please note that our fees have changed.

You must register for only one of the following options:

Options

Test Components

Cost

1. TCF tous publics
Compulsory test only

Listening comprehension
Command of language structures
Reading comprehension

$160

2. TCF tous publics
Compulsory test and written expression

Listening comprehension
Command of language structures
Reading comprehension
Written expression

$220

3. TCF tous publics
Compulsory test and spoken expression

Listening comprehension
Command of language structures
Reading comprehension
Spoken expression

$220

4. TCF tous publics
Compulsory test, written and spoken expression

Listening comprehension
Command of language structures
Reading comprehension
Written expression
Spoken expression

$260

5. TCF for Quebec
(Only for immigration to Quebec)

Listening comprehension
Spoken expression

$160

6. TCF pour l’accès à la nationalité française

Listening comprehension
Spoken expression

$160

7. TCF-DAP

Listening comprehension
Command of language structures
Reading comprehension
Written expression

$220

Registration

There are three ways to register for the TCF:

  1. Online (requires credit card payment).
  2. By mail or in person (requires payment by cash, money order or certified cheque).

Completed registration forms and payments must be received by Language Testing Services on or before the registration deadline. Registrations received after this day will be returned to the sender.
All candidates must wait a minimum of 2 months prior to re-taking the TCF.

Download the Candidate Manuals

You may also download the Candidate Manuals.


Please note: If you want to register for the “deuxième cycle” [second stage of an undergraduate course] or for the troisième cycle [postgraduate course], Sciences Po, a Grande école or a business school you will have to take the TCF tous publics. For more information about the TCF and the TCF for Quebec please consult the CIEP website.