For Express Entry, TEF Canada and TCF Canada are worth exactly the same: both convert to the NCLC scale, and NCLC 7 on one earns the same CRS points as NCLC 7 on the other. The real differences are the scoring scale, the speaking format and, most of all, which exam has a seat near you first. If you have a deadline, watch both.
Key takeaways
- IRCC accepts both. NCLC 7 on TEF Canada = NCLC 7 on TCF Canada.
- TEF Canada is run by Le français des affaires; TCF Canada by France Éducation international.
- TEF: use the "Équivalence ancien score", never the /699 number, in Express Entry.
- TCF writing and speaking are out of 20, so one point can move you a whole NCLC level.
- The fastest available seat usually decides it. Watching both doubles your chances.
On this page
Short answer: book whichever one you can sit soonest. IRCC accepts both TEF Canada and TCF Canada, and both convert to the same NCLC scale, so NCLC 7 on one gets you exactly the same points as NCLC 7 on the other. The differences are in the scoring, the speaking tasks and where the seats are.
That said, the two exams do feel different on the day. Below is the honest comparison, plus a quick quiz if you still can't decide.
Does IRCC prefer TEF Canada or TCF Canada?
#No. Both are designated for Express Entry, other federal economic programs and citizenship. Neither gives bonus points over the other.
What IRCC does care about is the exact name of the test. Only TEF Canada and TCF Canada count. TEF Québec, TCF Québec and TCF Tout Public are different products and will not be accepted for federal programs.
Side by side: format, scoring and who runs it
#| TEF Canada | TCF Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Who makes it | Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France) | France Éducation international (FEI) |
| Listening | 40 questions, 40 min | 39 questions, 35 min |
| Reading | 40 questions, 60 min | 39 questions, 60 min |
| Writing | 2 sections (A: 25 min, B: 35 min) | 3 tasks, 60 min |
| Speaking | 2 sections, ~15 min | 3 tasks, ~12 min |
| Score IRCC uses | Ancien score: L /360, R /300, W /450, S /450 | L /699, R /699, W /20, S /20 |
| NCLC 7 needs | L 249 · R 207 · W 310 · S 310 | L 458 · R 453 · W 10 · S 10 |
You can see the full band-by-band thresholds in our TEF Canada score converter and TCF Canada score converter.
How is the scoring different?
#This is where people get caught out, in both directions.
- Your attestation shows two numbers per skill: a /699 score and an "Équivalence ancien score".
- IRCC uses only the ancien score (L /360, R /300, W /450, S /450).
- Putting the /699 number in Express Entry is a known cause of refusals.
- Wide scales: writing and speaking bands are dozens of points apart.
- One number per skill. What you see is what you enter.
- Listening and reading out of 699; writing and speaking out of 20.
- Narrow bands: 10 in writing is NCLC 7, 9 is not.
- Re-marking requests paused for sessions from Sept 1, 2026.
Neither scale is "easier". But the TCF's /20 scale means a single point in writing or speaking can move you a whole NCLC level. On TEF, the bigger risk is paperwork: reading the wrong column. We explain that trap in detail in the /699 vs ancien score guide.
Which speaking test feels harder?
#The speaking sections are where the two exams feel most different.
- TCF Canada builds up gently: a short interview about you, then a role-play where you interact, then a task where you argue a point of view. About 12 minutes in total.
- TEF Canada has two sections. Section A: you ask questions to get information (5 min). Section B: you persuade or convince the examiner (10 min). About 15 minutes with the examiner.
Some candidates find TEF's longer persuasion task harder because you have to hold an argument while the examiner pushes back. Others like having more time to recover from a slow start. If you freeze under pressure, TCF's gradual build may suit you better.
Want the full walkthrough? See the TCF Canada format guide and the TEF Canada format guide.
How do the writing and speaking tasks compare?
#Writing and speaking are where most people lose NCLC 7, so it is worth seeing the tasks side by side.
- 3 tasks in 60 minutes
- Scored out of 20
- NCLC 7 needs 10 / 20
- Section A: continue a news article, 80+ words, 25 min
- Section B: argue a point of view, 200+ words, 35 min
- NCLC 7 needs 310 / 450 (ancien score)
Task-by-task help: TCF Canada writing tasks and TEF Canada writing and speaking. Practise against the clock with the writing practice timer.
- 3 tasks, about 12 minutes
- Interview, then role-play, then argue a point of view
- NCLC 7 needs 10 / 20
- Section A: obtain information, 5 min
- Section B: persuade or convince, 10 min
- NCLC 7 needs 310 / 450 (ancien score)
See TCF Canada speaking tasks for each task, and rehearse with the speaking practice timer.
Still unsure? Take the 30-second quiz
#Four quick questions. It won't decide for you, but it will show you which way you lean.
Where will you sit the exam?
What changed in 2026?
#France Éducation international stopped accepting TCF Canada re-marking requests for sessions from September 1, 2026. It is expected to return around fall 2027.
Some centres have also tightened their own rules. AF Delhi, for example, asks for your passport at registration and on exam day, and sets a minimum gap between attempts. These are centre rules, so always read your centre's page.
So which one should you book?
#For most people, geography decides. Many centres run only one of the two. AF Delhi and AF Accra offer TCF Canada only. McGill in Montréal, Canada's largest accredited TEF centre, runs TEF only.
- 1List every centre you could realistically reachInclude a day trip or short flight. Lagos candidates often find earlier dates in Ibadan. Browse by country on the centres page.
- 2Note which exam each one runsIf only one exam is available near you, your decision is already made.
- 3If both are available, pick on formatWorried about reading the wrong score column? TCF is simpler. Worried about one-point bands? TEF gives more room.
- 4If you have a deadline, watch bothIt roughly doubles the sessions you can catch: compare the TEF Canada calendar with upcoming TCF Canada sessions. You can drop an alert the moment you're booked.
- Same
- CRS points for the same NCLC level
- +25 / +50
- CRS bonus for NCLC 7 in all four French skills
- 2 years
- How long results stay valid
Whichever you choose, your target is the same: NCLC 7 in all four skills. That unlocks the French CRS bonus and French-language category draws. Our CLB 7 score guide has the exact numbers.
- Myth
TCF Canada is easier, so it gives an easier NCLC 7.
FactNeither exam is officially easier. Both convert to the same NCLC scale, and the same level earns the same points.
- Myth
TCF Québec works too, it's the same test.
FactOnly TEF Canada and TCF Canada count for Express Entry and citizenship. TEF Québec, TCF Québec and TCF Tout Public do not.
- Myth
On TEF Canada, you enter the /699 score.
FactIRCC uses only the "Équivalence ancien score": listening /360, reading /300, writing and speaking /450.
Check yourself
#Check yourself
1 of 4.You score NCLC 7 in all four skills on TCF Canada. How does that compare to NCLC 7 on TEF Canada?
2 of 4.Which TEF Canada number goes into your Express Entry profile?
3 of 4.How many writing tasks does TCF Canada have?
4 of 4.Who makes TCF Canada?
Questions people ask
Neither is officially easier, and IRCC gives the same points for the same NCLC level. TCF's speaking builds up more gradually, while TEF's speaking has a longer persuasion task. Pick the format you're more comfortable with, or the one you can book first.
Yes. Both convert to the NCLC scale, and NCLC 7 on one earns the same points as NCLC 7 on the other. NCLC 7 in all four skills adds 25 or 50 CRS points depending on your English.
No. IRCC only accepts TEF Canada and TCF Canada for Express Entry, other federal programs and citizenship. TCF Tout Public is not accepted either.
Yes, nothing stops you booking both. Many people watch both exams simply to find the earliest seat, then cancel the alert once they're booked.
Two years from the test date for both. They must still be valid when you create your Express Entry profile and when you submit your PR application.
Terms in this guide
- FEI
- Le français des affaires
- Re-marking
- Ancien score
- Score /699
- TCF Québec
- Alliance Française
- TCF Tout Public
Each one is defined in plain English in the TEF & TCF Canada glossary.
Sources
- IRCC: Language testing for Express Entry
- Le français des affaires: TEF Canada
- Alliance Française Vancouver: TCF Canada
Rules and fees change. Always confirm with IRCC and your test centre before you pay.