The TEF in detail: five modular tests


The TEF consists of five independent tests, which you choose to take depending on the test version and your project (immigration, studies, naturalization).

The comprehension tests

  • Listening comprehension: audio documents followed by multiple-choice questions, assessing your ability to understand spoken French in various situations.
  • Reading comprehension: texts of various kinds (articles, notices, letters) followed by comprehension questions.
  • Vocabulary and structure: a test specific to the TEF that assesses your vocabulary and grammatical mastery through sentence completion.

    • The production tests

  • Written expression: writing two pieces on set topics, within a limited time.
  • Oral expression: individual interview with an examiner, built around several communication scenarios.

    • A version that determines mandatory tests


    Depending on the version chosen, certain tests become mandatory: TEF Canada, for example, generally requires all four comprehension and expression tests to be accepted by immigration authorities, while a more targeted TEF registration may cover only one or two specific tests.

    A format close to the TCF, with its own particularities


    While the general principle resembles that of the TCF (multiple-choice questions for comprehension, communicative tasks for production), the question style and duration of each section differ noticeably. It is therefore recommended to train specifically on TEF past papers before taking the test, rather than relying on generic French exercises. For the exact duration of each test depending on the chosen version, check the official TEF page of the Paris Île-de-France CCI.