the French Assessment Test (TEF) 

Created in 1998 by the CCI Paris Ile-de-France, the the french assessment test (TEF) is an international benchmark exam that measures your level of knowledge and skills in French.

 

The TEF is officially recognized:

  • the French Ministry of National Education
  • • the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation
  • • the French Ministry of the Interior
  • • the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada
  • • the Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration of Quebec
  • • the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration

The results are valid for two years.                                                                                                     

 

What is the TEF used for?

What are the tests?

The TEF consists of 5 tests :

      • Compréhension orale (CO)
      • Compréhension écrite (CE)
      • Expression orale (EO)
      • Expression écrite (EE)
      • Lexique et structure (LS)

Depending on your objective and the steps you take, choose the version of the TEF that includes the tests you need.

The tests are evaluated using a 7-level scale, from level 0 (most basic abilities) to level 6 (complete mastery).

This scale refers to the 6 levels (A1 to C2) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CECR) of the Council of Europe and the 12 Canadian language proficiency levels (NCLC) / québécois (EQNCF).

What level must I obtain for my application to be accepted by a French educational establishment?

You must obtain a score greater than or equal to 400/699 in the TEF written tests.

Does the TEF allow me to be exempt from the TCF for the DAP (prior admission request)?

In fact, you are exempt from the TCF for the DAP if you obtained a score greater than or equal to 400/699 in the TEF written tests.

What are the exemptions from the French test?

You are exempt from a French test, if you already hold the TCF for the DAP, a DELF B2, a DALF C1/C2, a French baccalaureate (issued by the French Ministry of Education ), or student from the French bilingual sections appearing on a list established jointly by the French ministries of national education and foreign affairs.

How do I request special accommodation?

Business French offers different arrangements in order to make the TEF accessible to candidates with disabilities or illiteracy. The candidate with a specific accommodation need must, before any registration, contact the testing center chosen to submit their application.

To obtain accommodation adapted to their situation, the candidate must obtain a medical certificate by a practitioner who will explain the nature of the disability and issue recommendations for organizing the session (for the tests concerned) in view of the list of possible adaptations of the TEF which will be made available to them (provision by the center of an assessor, allocation of additional third time, adaptation of the sound volume, etc.). ).

In the case of electronics, noted by the assessment center, des solutions d’assistance et/ou des aménagements (manual written expression test for example) may be offered to the candidate concerned.

The assessment center will notify Business French of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France as soon as possible so that it examines the request and can quickly validate the possibility of a specific adjustment of the award conditions.

For the TEF / TEFAQ / TEF Canada : in the event of exemption from one or more tests, the candidate will only be invoiced for the tests actually taken.

For the TEF Integration, Residence and Nationality : in the event of exemption from one or more tests, the candidate is exempt from taking the entire test and must present his medical certificate directly to the prefecture. A model certificate dedicated to candidates requesting a resident card or access to French nationality is given to the prefecture on request to have it completed by a doctor.

Applicants for a resident card in France can request an adjustment of the tests by presenting the medical certificate given to the prefecture and duly completed by the attending physician. 

Please note: only the model medical certificate provided to the prefecture can be used to support the application for a resident card, no other document is accepted.

For more information, we invite you to consult For more information, we invite you to consult Fixing the medical certificate model provided for in B of 5 ° of article R. 314-1 of the code for the entry and stay of foreigners and the right of asylum.

Applicants of French naturalization must present a certificate established according to the regulatory model fixed by the decree NOR : INTV2009412A du 17 juillet 2020. The certificate can be download on this page.

What is your personal data processing policy?

The personal data communicated by the candidate (name, first name, date of birth, photo, signature, answers at the exam and results à l’examen, Address Mél, Number and nationality of the identity document) are collected by the CCI Paris Île-de-France In order to deal with the registration request and in accordance with the laws of government authorities in the countries concerned On requests for immigration, citizenship, naturalization or resident card. 

Ein the event of obtaining the required level, Your data will be made accessible to government authorities Countries concerned that use the tef dans The framework for an immigration or access to citizenship program as soon as a candidate submits a certificate of results within the framework of an administrative procedure concerning them.
If you oppose this transmission or if you change or delete data, your immigration or naturalization request may not be processed by the competent authorities. 

Your data is kept by the French business of the CCI Paris Ile-de-France for 10 years. Data likely to be transmitted to government authorities will be kept according to the laws of the country. They are not transmitted to other third parties. 

The information collected can also be the subject of computer processing intended to carry out studies and surveys In order to improve our services.In this context, the data collected when carrying out surveys is not communicated to third parties and is kept for a year. 

In accordance with the Data Protection Act of January 6, 1978 amended and regulation (EU) 2016-679 on data protection and within the framework and the limits posed by these texts, You can exercise your right of access to data concerning you and have them correct or erase that you can exercise by contacting francais@cci-paris-idf.fr Or, in case of difficulty, the data protection delegate at the address: cpdp@cci-paris-idf.fr. Finally, you can submit a complaint with the CNIL, 3 place de Fontenoy - TSA 80715 - 75334 PARIS CEDEX 07.