How to understand TEF Canada scores

If you're looking to take the TEF (Test d'Évaluation de Français) Canada exam, it's important to understand how the scoring system works. It's not quite as simple as achieving a pass or fail. There are hundreds of points to be scored across the different sections of the exam, and the score you need depends on your reason for taking the TEF Canada exam.

The TEF Canada exam is divided into four sections: Reading (Compréhension écrite), Listening (Compréhension orale), Writing (Expression écrite) and Speaking (Expression orale).

Each of these sections has a maximum number of points which can be scored, as seen here:

Reading (Compréhension écrite) | 0–699
Listening (Compréhension orale) | 0–699
Writing (Expression écrite) | 0–699
Speaking (Expression orale) | 0–699

If you want to take the TEF Canada exam for citizenship, you will only need to take the Listening (Compréhension orale) and Speaking (Expression orale) parts of the exam.

You will never be required to score full marks on the TEF exam. However, each entry scheme or programme has a minimum requirement for each section of the TEF, and you should familiarise yourself with these requirements before sitting the exam.

When applying to a programme or entry scheme for a French-speaking part of Canada, you will notice that each scheme requires a certain NCLC level, rather than a specific TEF score. (If you are applying to work in an English-speaking part of Canada, the scheme you are applying for will require a CLB score instead.)

The Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) is a language proficiency framework specific to Canada. It is therefore generally only used as a benchmark for measuring French proficiency in Canada.

The Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), which is also specific to Canada, is the equivalent of the NCLC for English.

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), on the other hand, is an international system which measures the level of different language abilities. Despite its name, it is widely recognised beyond Europe.

You can see how many points correspond to each level of the NCLC and CEFR in the tables below.

The score you need to achieve on the TEF exam depends on why you are taking the exam. There is no simple pass or fail mark. Rather, different entry schemes each have their own set requirements, which you can see below. (These requirements assume that French is not your first language. If it is, you will be required to achieve a higher score on the exam, generally an NCLC level of 7. Details can be seen here.)

Express Entry

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) - NCLC level 5 in each category is required. If you score level 7 in all four sections, you will receive an additional 50 CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System) points.

Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) - NCLC level 5 required for Speaking and Listening; NCLC level 4 required for Reading and Writing

Canadian Experience Class (CEC) - NCLC level 5 required in each category if the job you are applying for is NOC TEER 2 or 3; NCLC level 7 required in each category if the job you are applying for is NOC TEER 1 or 0. (To find your NOC TEER, check here.)

Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP)

This is a federal pilot designed to attract French-speaking workers to smaller French-speaking communities beyond Quebec. NCLC level 5 is required in each category to be eligible.

Québec Immigration Programmes

As Quebec has control of its own immigration criteria, applicants are generally expected to take the TEFAQ (TEF Quebec) exam, which aligns more closely with PEQ (Programme de l’expérience québécoise) requirements. However, the TEF Canada is also accepted. The Quebecois programmes focus on oral proficiency. While the exact requirements vary by programme and stream, generally a CEFR level of B2 is required (roughly equivalent to level 7 or 8 of the NCLC).

Provincial Nominee Programmes (PNPs)

Generally only provinces with French-speaking populations require evidence of French proficiency for their nominee programmes. However, a strong score on the TEF can often increase your entry score even for provinces where English is the spoken language. It is recommended to visit each province's immigration website to find further details.