What is the difference between the TEF, TCF, DELF and DALF exams?

With so many different exams for measuring proficiency in French, it can be difficult to know which one is right for you.

Below we’ve broken down the key differences between the TEF, the TCF, the DELF and DALF exams.

The TEF (Test d’Évaluation de Français) exam is administered by CCI Paris Île-de-France and primarily serves to demonstrate an applicant’s proficiency in French when applying to one of the numerous immigration programmes to French-speaking countries. There are a few different versions of the TEF. TEF Canada, for instance, is recommended for those applying to work or live in Canada, while TEF IRN is for applicants aiming to relocate to France. The exam focuses on French language skills that applicants would find useful in everyday situations. There is no passing or failing the TEF; rather, you will be assigned a points score depending on your performance, which may or may not be enough to qualify you for certain immigration or employment programmes.

The Learn French With Alexa TEF Preparation Course is designed to help learners prepare for the TEF exam.

The TCF (Test de Connaissance du Français) is administered by France Éducation International. As with the TEF, there are different versions of the TCF for different countries, each with slightly different requirements in the exam. While the TEF is mainly used for applicants seeking work abroad, the TCF is more commonly used for academic purposes, such as applying to a university in a French-speaking region or country. As a result the exam is more academic in focus than the TEF, with emphasis on linguistic precision and technicality.

Like the TCF exam, the DELF (Diplôme d'Études en Langue Française) is typically taken by students to secure a place at university in a French-speaking country, rather than for immigration or citizenship purposes. Unlike the other exams, however, there are different DELF exam for different proficiency levels, ranging from A1 to B2 of the CEFR, so make sure you enrol in the correct exam. The DALF (Diplôme Approfondi de Langue Française) covers levels C1-C2. As fewer institutions host the DELF and DALF exams than the TEF and TCF, and often less frequently, it can be more difficult to secure a slot to take the exam, so it's best to try to book your exam far in advance.

While the results from both the TEF and the TCF are only valid for two years after you have taken the exam, the results you acquire from the DELF never expire.