Student preparing French language materials for TEF Canada preparation to achieve a higher CLB score.

TEF Canada Exam: Complete Guide for Beginners

If you’re planning to apply for Canadian Permanent Residency (PR) through Express Entry, proving your French proficiency can significantly boost your CRS score, and the TEF Canada exam is one of the most accepted options. Whether you’re a beginner in French or someone brushing up on your skills, understanding the TEF Canada preparation, structure, scoring, and strategies is the key to achieving your target CLB level. This blog walks you through everything you need to know before starting your TEF journey.

Introduction to TEF Canada

The TEF Canada, or Test d’Évaluation de Français, is an official French-language proficiency test that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada uses to gauge one’s skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. This test is a requirement in Express Entry, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, and the majority of Provincial Nominee Programs that grant points to French-speaking applicants. Unlike general French tests, TEF Canada focuses on real-life, practical language use that reflects day-to-day communication in Canada.

Exam Modules Explained

The TEF Canada is composed of four modules, which are mandatory for immigration purposes. Here’s what each one covers:

Compréhension Orale (LISTENING)

Duration: 40 minutes

Number of questions: 60

Format: Multiple-choice questions based on everyday conversations, announcements, discussions, and interviews.

The difficulty progresses gradually, requiring high listening abilities and fast decisions.

Compréhension Écrite

Duration: 60 minutes

Number of questions: 50

Format: Texts include emails, advertisements, newspaper articles, essays, and informational content.

Expression Orale (Speaking)

Duration: 15 minutes

Format: Two activities – Guided Interaction and Formal Discussion.

Your grade will depend on fluency, coherence, the richness of vocabulary, and pronunciation.

Expression Écrite (Writing)

Duration: 60 minutes

Format: Two assignments-writing a formal or informal message and composing a structured opinion-based article.

This module tests grammar accuracy, structure, and clarity, as well as how well you can justify opinions.

Scoring System & CLB Conversion

TEF Canada scores are converted into Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) that determine your language points for Express Entry.

Here’s how TEF scores convert to CLB:

Listening (Compréhension Orale)

CLB 7 → 249–279

CLB 9 → 298–331

Reading (Compréhension Écrite)

CLB 7 → 207–232

CLB 9 → 248–262

Speaking (Expression Orale)

CLB 7 → 310–348

CLB 9 → 393–415

Writing (Expression Écrite)

CLB 7 → 310–348

CLB 9 → 393–415

Understanding these numbers will help you set realistic goals for your TEF Canada preparation, especially if you want to achieve CLB 7+ for additional CRS points.

Preparation Strategies for Each Module

1. Strategy for Listening Preparation
- Listen to French podcasts, such as Journal en Français Facile, RFI, or France Culture.
- Practice the different accents: Canadian, European, and African French.
- Watch news clips and interviews to improve contextual listening.
- Practice with TEF sample papers, timing yourself to work faster.
1. Reading Preparation Strategy
- Read French blogs, newspapers (Le Monde, 20 Minutes, Le Figaro), and short articles.
- Learn to skim text for keywords and scan for important information.
- Enrich your vocabulary by using apps such as Memrise or Quizlet.
- Practice the reading tests to improve comprehension and pacing in TEF.
1. Speaking Preparation Strategy
- Practice daily conversations on platforms like iTalki or HelloTalk.
- Record yourself speaking to assess your fluency and pronunciation.
- Learn key expressions for formal discussion: à mon avis, selon moi, je pense que, pour conclure.
- Get used to thinking in French instead of translating from English.
1. Strategy for Writing Preparation
Study sample TEF writing responses and understand the expected structure.

Practice timed writing — aim to organize ideas clearly with an intro, main points, and conclusion.

Grammar: focus on the essentials – tenses (présent, passé composé, imparfait), sentence connectors, and agreement.

Vocabulary to be added: opinion, formal tone, logical argument.

With balanced preparation, you can strengthen all four modules and perform confidently on test day.

Recommended Resources & Mock Tests

Here are some reliable tools to prepare effectively:

Online Platforms

PrepMyTEF – Offers structured mock tests with scoring and explanations.

Frantastique– Good for improving general French with daily lessons.

TV5Monde Apprendre – Free exercises for all skills.

Books

“Réussir le TEF” Series – Excellent for beginners and intermediate learners.

Hachette TEF Preparation Guides – Covers all modules with practice tasks.

YouTube Channels

InnerFrench, Learn French With Alexa, Français Authentique – useful for immersion and vocabulary building.

Mock Tests

Regular mock tests will help you:

Understand the exam timings
Track progress
Identify weak areas
Get familiar with TEF-style questions

Search online for TEF-specific mock tests, allowing yourself to be exposed under real exam conditions for performance enhancement.

Tips to Score CLB 7+

Reaching CLB 7+ requires a strategic approach, consistency, and strong exam techniques. Here are some proven ways to improve your score:

Command of core grammar- Overall, French relies heavily on gender agreement, verb conjugations, and sentence structure.
Improve your vocabulary every day — particularly in topics such as environment, society, technology, education, and work.
Do timed practice – As TEF is fast-paced, speed is crucial.
Immerse yourself in French — listen, read, speak, and write French each day, even for 20 minutes.

Use templates to help with speaking and writing. Structured responses score higher.

Focus on accuracy before complexity – clear, correct French is better than complex mistakes

Take at least 10 full mock tests—repetition builds confidence and reduces exam-day stress.

Conclusion

The TEF Canada exam is among the most valuable tools for improving your CRS score and increasing your qualifying chances for Canadian PR, especially if you want to stand out as a bilingual applicant. With the right TEF Canada preparation strategy, along with consistent practice and a well-known pattern of the exam, it is absolutely achievable to score CLB 7+; for even a beginner, a good score is possible. Start early, build a strong foundation in all four modules, use quality resources, and focus on real-life French exposure for steady progress.