Test d’évaluation de français TEF

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
  • le ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche et de l’Innovation
  • le ministère français de l’Intérieur
  • le ministère de l’Immigration, des Réfugiés et de la Citoyenneté du Canada
  • le ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration du Québec
  • le Secrétariat d’État aux Migrations suisse

The results are valid for two years.                                                                                                     

 

What is the TEF used for?

What are the tests?

The TEF consists of 5 tests :

      • Oral comprehension (CO) 40 min
      • Written comprehension (CE) 60 min
      • Oral expression (EO) 15 min
      • Written expression (DE) 60 min
      • Lexicon and structure (LS) 30 min

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).

TEF INTEGRATION, RESIDENCE AND NATIONALITY
TEF CANADA
TEF QUEBEC (TEFAQ)
TEF for student mobility

Useful links

Le TEF en pratique
Prepare
Catalogue des tests TEF

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. 

Useful links

Which tests for which test?

ABC Formation determines the session dates, the candidate registration period as well as the prices.

Registrations close at least one week before the date of the session.

Anticipate your registration as soon as possible as part of your administrative procedures.

No prior diploma is required to take the exam. You must have over 16 years old.

When you register, you will be asked for the following documents:

      • a photocopy of an official identity document with photo and signature,
      • If the testing center cannot take a photo of you on the day of the test, it will also ask you to provide An identity photo.

You will also complete a personal information sheet at the time of registration. This form will be used to establish your certificate of results.

Once your registration has been validated, your testing center will send you a convocation by email which you must present on the day of the exam with your identity document.

 Attention ! If you have not received your invitation, remember to check your “Junk mail” / “Spam” folder in your inbox.

How do I prepare?

To prepare for the TEF, Several options are available to you :

      • Consult the tutorials allowing you to familiarize yourself with the TEF tests.
      • Familiarize yourself with the test format with examples of tests available in this section.
      • Register for online preparation PrepmyTEF. For €39, you will have access for one year to course sheets, exercises and official mock tests to prepare you for the exam.

How does the exam go?

Before the exam

When you register, you agree to respect the Registration and completion conditions of the test.

On the day of the exam, after verifying your identity and your invitation, the invigilator will have you sign. On the day of the exam, after verifying your identity and your invitation, the invigilator will have you sign a payroll sheet on paper or tablet. Please double check your personal information at this time.

 Attention ! In the event of an error or modification not reported on the day of the test, NO CORRECTIONS can be made once the certificate of results has been published.

The invigilator will then tell you where to sit to start the test.

Instructions to follow during the tests:

– Turn off your cell phone and any other electronic devices.

– You cannot use a dictionary or any reference material.

– No personal effects must be left in sight or on the table during the tests, with the exception of your identity document.

– You must not communicate with other candidates.

– No latecomers are allowed into the room once the test has started.

– No outings are authorized for the duration of the written tests

During the exam

The comprehension tests will take place  on computer.

      • the supervisor provides each candidate with a username and password. The candidate thus accesses the online test-taking platform and follows the instructions for each test.

How do I get my results?

Your results will be sent to the testing center within a delay of approximately 4 to 6 weeks from the date of receipt of the session materials.

However, if your test included a written expression test, the correction time is longer.

A certificate of results will then be sent to you.

Each certificate is detailed and personalized (with your photo and signature).

For each test, it specifies:

      • the number of points obtained,
      • the level reached,
      • a description of your current skills in general French.

Join a school/university establishment

In France

Officially recognized since 2004 by the French Ministry of National Education, the TEF assesses written and oral French skills for any foreign student applying for registration in an undergraduate degree. university studies in France.

? Lien utile : Recognition of the TEF by the Ministry of National Education, Higher Education and Research

The TEF then consists of 4 compulsory tests :

      •  Written comprehension : 60 min – 50 questions
      • Oral comprehension: 40 min – 60 questions
      • Written expression : 60 min – 2 topics to cover
      • Glossary and structure: 30 min – 40 questions

How is the TEF evaluated?

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).

      • The written comprehension, oral comprehension and lexicon and structure tests are in the form of multiple choice questionnaires.
      • The written expression test consists of writing two writings from everyday life. It is evaluated by two independent, trained and experienced correctors.
      • The oral expression test consists of two role plays corresponding to everyday situations. It is evaluated by two independent examiners: the test leader, then by a second evaluator, based on the recording of the test.

See an example of certificate

The validity of the results is two years. You can retake the test as many times as you wish, respecting a period of 30 days between each examination.