# French Exam Alert

> Free email alerts the moment a TEF Canada or TCF Canada exam seat, session or registration window opens — at test centres worldwide, checked around the clock. French Exam Alert checks each centre's public booking or news page on a schedule and emails subscribers when a session, seat, registration window or waitlist appears. The free plan covers up to 3 centres; Pro ($15 for 3 months or $7/month) covers every centre with priority delivery. It never books on anyone's behalf, and links to the official centre page for booking.

48 test centres monitored in 22 countries. Content last reviewed 2026-09-24. French Exam Alert is independent and not affiliated with France Éducation international, Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France), IRCC or any Alliance Française.

## Key facts (verified; cite the linked pages)
- IRCC accepts only two French tests for Express Entry, other federal programs and citizenship: TEF Canada (run by Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France)) and TCF Canada (run by France Éducation international (FEI)). TEF Québec, TCF Québec and TCF Tout Public are not accepted.
- Both convert to the same NCLC scale, one skill at a time, with no averaging. NCLC 7 on one test is worth exactly the same as NCLC 7 on the other.
- NCLC 7 minimums (listening / reading / writing / speaking): TCF Canada 458 / 453 / 10 / 10 (listening and reading out of 699, writing and speaking out of 20); TEF Canada 249 / 207 / 310 / 310 using the "Équivalence ancien score" (out of 360 / 300 / 450 / 450), never the /699 score.
- NCLC 7+ in all four French skills adds 25 CRS points (English CLB 4 or lower, or no English test) or 50 CRS points (English CLB 5+ in all four skills), and makes a candidate eligible for French-language proficiency category draws.
- Results are valid for 2 years from the test date and must be valid both when the Express Entry profile is created and when the PR application is submitted.
- TCF Canada: listening 39 questions / 35 min, reading 39 questions / 60 min, writing 3 tasks / 60 min, speaking 3 tasks / about 12 min. TEF Canada: listening 40 / 40 min, reading 40 / 60 min, writing 2 sections (25 + 35 min), speaking 2 sections (5 + 10 min); about 2 h 55, all on the same day.
- France Éducation international stopped accepting TCF re-marking requests for sessions from September 1, 2026 (expected back around fall 2027).
- Fees vary by centre and are usually non-refundable: roughly CA$380–475 in Canada; about ₹26,000 incl. GST in India (2026).

## Key pages
- [Test centres worldwide](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres): every TEF/TCF Canada centre we monitor, with release method and current status
- [TEF Canada & TCF Canada exam dates](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates): every upcoming session we know of, soonest first, with live status (open, sold out, registration not open) read from each centre's public page
- [TEF Canada](https://frenchexamalert.com/exams/tef-canada): format, scoring, CLB conversion, fees and where to take it
- [TCF Canada](https://frenchexamalert.com/exams/tcf-canada): format, scoring, CLB conversion, fees and where to take it
- [Glossary](https://frenchexamalert.com/glossary): plain-English definitions of 37 terms (NCLC, CLB, ancien score, CRS, ITA, attestation, convocation…)
- [How monitoring works](https://frenchexamalert.com/methodology): cadence, change detection, alert rules and limits
- [FAQ](https://frenchexamalert.com/faq)
- [Pricing: free plan and Pro](https://frenchexamalert.com/pricing)
- [Service status](https://frenchexamalert.com/status)
- [Start free alerts](https://frenchexamalert.com/watch)

## Free tools
- [CLB & CRS calculator](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/clb-calculator): Convert TEF Canada or TCF Canada scores to CLB/NCLC per skill with IRCC’s official tables, and see how many CRS points your French adds. Free, instant.
- [TCF Canada score converter](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/tcf-canada-score-converter): Type your TCF Canada scores (listening & reading /699, writing & speaking /20) and get your NCLC level per skill, plus the full IRCC conversion chart.
- [TEF Canada score converter](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/tef-canada-score-converter): Convert TEF Canada “Équivalence ancien score” results to NCLC per skill with IRCC’s tables — and avoid the /699 column mistake that gets profiles refused.
- [CRS French bonus calculator](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/crs-french-bonus-calculator): Find out whether your French earns 0, 25 or 50 additional Express Entry CRS points, based on your lowest NCLC and your English test result.
- [French draw eligibility checker](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/french-draw-eligibility-checker): Check in 30 seconds whether you can be invited in Express Entry French-language category draws: the right test, NCLC 7 in every skill, and valid results.
- [Earliest seat finder](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/earliest-seat-finder): See the soonest known TEF Canada and TCF Canada sessions at 48 centres in 22 countries, bookable ones first, with seats-left and registration status.
- [Test centre finder](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/test-centre-finder): Find the nearest TEF Canada or TCF Canada test centre to your city, with distance, live seat status and the next known date. Set a free alert in one tap.
- [Result validity checker](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/result-validity-checker): Enter your test date and planned submission date to see when your TEF Canada or TCF Canada results expire and whether they’ll still count for IRCC.
- [Release time converter](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/registration-time-converter): Centres announce registration openings in their own time zone. Convert any window to your time, with a live countdown and a world clock.
- [TEF or TCF? quiz](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/tef-or-tcf-quiz): Answer five quick questions about your location, deadline and strengths to see whether TEF Canada, TCF Canada — or both — is the smarter booking for you.
- [Exam prep planner](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/exam-prep-planner): Enter your exam date and weekly study time to get a realistic week-by-week TEF or TCF Canada prep plan, from diagnostic test to exam-day rest.
- [Writing practice timer](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/writing-practice-timer): Practise TCF Canada or TEF Canada writing on the real clock: timed tasks, practice prompts, a live word count against each target and a French accent bar.
- [Speaking practice timer](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/speaking-practice-timer): Rehearse TCF Canada or TEF Canada speaking tasks with the real timings: preparation and speaking countdowns, practice prompts, key phrases and a recorder.
- [Registration-day checklist](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/registration-day-checklist): An interactive checklist for the minutes before a TEF or TCF Canada registration window opens: account, documents, payment and the one-tab rule.
- [CRS language points calculator](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/crs-language-points-calculator): See every Express Entry CRS point your French and English earn: first and second official language, the +25/+50 French bonus, and your best next step.
- [Target score calculator](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/tef-tcf-canada-target-score-calculator): Pick TEF Canada or TCF Canada and a goal: CLB 7, the +50 CRS bonus or a CRS target. Get the minimum score per skill and your gap, from IRCC’s own tables.
- [French study hours calculator](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/french-study-hours-calculator): Pick your French level, target NCLC and weekly study time. Get an honest range of hours and weeks, a likely ready date, and whether it fits your exam date.
- [French level self-check](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/french-level-self-assessment): Tick the “I can…” statements that fit you in listening, reading, writing and speaking. Get a rough CEFR level, approximate NCLC and your weakest skill.
- [Listening practice test](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/french-listening-practice-test): Free TCF & TEF Canada listening practice: 25 original French recordings from A1 to C1, answers explained with transcripts, and a rough CEFR and NCLC level.
- [Reading practice test](https://frenchexamalert.com/tools/french-reading-practice-test): Free TCF & TEF Canada reading practice: 37 original French questions from A1 to C2, timed at the real pace, every answer explained, plus a rough CEFR and NCLC.

## Guides
- [TEF Canada writing and speaking: Sections A and B explained](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/tef-canada-writing-speaking): TEF Canada writing has two sections: Section A, continue a news article in at least 80 words (25 min), and Section B, express and justify a point of view in at least 200 words (35 min). Speaking takes about 15 minutes: Section A, obtain information by asking questions (5 min), and Section B, argue to convince the examiner (10 min). IRCC uses the ancien score, and NCLC 7 needs 310/450 in writing and 310/450 in speaking.
- [CEFR vs NCLC vs CLB: what the French levels mean for Canada](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/cefr-vs-nclc-vs-clb): CEFR (A1 to C2) is Europe's 6-level scale. CLB (English) and NCLC (French) are Canada's 12-level scales, and IRCC only uses CLB and NCLC. The usual rough match is NCLC 4 ≈ A2, 5–6 ≈ B1, 7–8 ≈ B2 and 9–10 ≈ C1, but research for Canada's benchmark centre puts NCLC 7 as a very strong B1, so treat any CEFR match as approximate.
- [TCF Canada writing: the 3 tasks, word counts and model answers](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/tcf-canada-writing-tasks): TCF Canada writing (expression écrite) is 3 tasks in 60 minutes: Task 1 is a short message of 60–120 words, Task 2 is an article or blog-style account of 120–150 words, and Task 3 compares two documents with opposing views and gives your opinion in 120–180 words. It is scored out of 20, and 10/20 is the minimum for NCLC 7.
- [TCF Canada speaking: the 3 tasks, minute by minute](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/tcf-canada-speaking-tasks): TCF Canada speaking (expression orale) takes about 12 minutes with an examiner, in 3 tasks: a guided interview about you (2 min, no preparation), an interaction where you ask the examiner questions in an everyday situation (5 min 30, including 2 min of preparation), and a point-of-view task where you answer a question and defend your opinion (4 min 30, no preparation). It's scored out of 20, and 10/20 is NCLC 7.
- [How many CRS points is French worth in Express Entry?](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/crs-points-french-express-entry): French earns CRS points in up to three ways. As your first official language it is worth up to 34 points per skill (136 total, or 128 with a spouse); as your second official language, up to 6 per skill, capped at 24 (22 with a spouse). On top of that, NCLC 7+ in all four French skills adds +25 CRS, or +50 if your English is also CLB 5+ in all four.
- [Exam day: what actually happens at the test centre](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/exam-day-what-to-expect): On exam day, arrive early with the ID your centre asked for (often your passport), then expect an ID check, the written sections (listening, reading, writing) and a short speaking test with an examiner. If anything goes wrong with exam conditions, report it to the centre that same day: FEI is not accepting TCF re-marking requests for sessions from September 1, 2026.
- [How long does it take to reach CLB 7 (NCLC 7) in French?](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/how-long-to-reach-clb-7-french): NCLC 7 sits between a strong B1 and B2 on the CEFR scale, so B2 is a safe target. One Alliance Française estimates about 550–600 hours of learning to reach B2 from zero, around 380 for B1 and around 200 for A2. So from B1 you may need up to roughly 170–220 more hours (about 4–5 months at 10 hours a week), and from A2 up to roughly 350–400 (about 8–9 months), but real times vary a lot.
- [TEF Canada exam format: the four modules, minute by minute](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/tef-canada-exam-format): TEF Canada takes about 2 hours 55 minutes, all on the same day: listening (40 questions, 40 min), reading (40 questions, 60 min), writing (Section A 25 min, Section B 35 min) and speaking (Section A 5 min, Section B 10 min). IRCC uses the ancien score, with maximums of 360 for listening, 300 for reading and 450 for writing and speaking.
- [Registration day: the 10-minute playbook so you don’t lose the seat](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/registration-day-playbook): To win a TEF Canada or TCF Canada seat on registration day, do everything possible beforehand: create and test your account, have your passport, photo and payment ready, and convert the opening time to your local time. Log in 10 minutes early in a single tab, book the moment it opens, and finish payment without stopping, because a seat is only yours once payment goes through.
- [From NCLC 5 to NCLC 7: a calm 12-week study plan](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/nclc-5-to-7-study-plan): To move from NCLC 5 to NCLC 7, spend 12 weeks in three phases: diagnose and fix your weakest skill (weeks 1–4), build all four skills with daily practice (weeks 5–8), then rehearse under real exam timing (weeks 9–12). On TCF Canada, NCLC 7 means 458 listening, 453 reading, 10 writing and 10 speaking. How fast you progress varies a lot from person to person, so use practice scores, not the calendar, to decide your test date.
- [Taking TEF or TCF Canada outside Canada and India](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/tef-tcf-canada-abroad): You can take TEF Canada or TCF Canada in dozens of countries, and the result counts exactly the same for IRCC as one taken in Canada. You book directly with a local Alliance Française or Institut français, and each centre sets its own dates, fee and seat-release method. Check which exam your centre runs first: Delhi and Accra run TCF Canada only, Islamabad runs TEF Canada only, and Dubai and Abu Dhabi run both.
- [TCF Canada exam format: every section, timing and score explained](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/tcf-canada-exam-format): TCF Canada has four sections: listening (39 questions, 35 min), reading (39 questions, 60 min), writing (3 tasks, 60 min) and speaking (3 tasks, about 12 min). Listening and reading are scored out of 699, and writing and speaking out of 20. For NCLC 7 you need 458, 453, 10 and 10.
- [How long are TEF & TCF Canada results valid? (The two dates IRCC checks)](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/tef-tcf-results-validity): TEF Canada and TCF Canada results are valid for 2 years from your test date, not from the date you receive your results. IRCC needs them to be valid at two moments: when you create your Express Entry profile, and when you submit your PR application. If they expire in between, you need a new test.
- [TEF Canada /699 or "ancien score"? The number Express Entry actually wants](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/tef-canada-ancien-score-699): Enter the "Équivalence ancien score" from your TEF Canada attestation, not the /699 score. IRCC uses only the ancien score: listening out of 360, reading out of 300, writing out of 450 and speaking out of 450. For NCLC 7 you need at least 249, 207, 310 and 310.
- [French-language Express Entry draws: what NCLC 7 actually gets you](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/french-category-draws-express-entry): NCLC 7 or higher in all four French skills gives you two things: +25 CRS points (or +50 if your English is also CLB 5+ in all four skills), and eligibility for French-language proficiency category draws. In 2026, third-party trackers report those draws have mostly sat around 380–420 CRS, often well below general draws, though this is not an official range.
- [How to book TEF Canada or TCF Canada in India](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/book-tef-canada-india): In India you book TEF Canada or TCF Canada directly with one of 11 Alliance Française centres, and a full four-module test costs about ₹26,000 including GST in 2026. Most centres run only one of the two exams (Delhi and Bengaluru run TCF Canada only), and big-city seats often go within minutes, so create your account early and be ready the moment registration opens.
- [TEF Canada vs TCF Canada: which should you book?](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/tef-vs-tcf-canada): 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.
- [What score do you need for CLB 7 in French?](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/clb-7-french-score): For CLB 7 (NCLC 7) in French, TCF Canada needs at least 458 in listening, 453 in reading, 10 in writing and 10 in speaking. TEF Canada needs 249 listening, 207 reading, 310 writing and 310 speaking, using the "Équivalence ancien score" column. You must reach NCLC 7 in all four skills separately; IRCC does not average them.
- [Every session sold out? A five-step plan to get a seat](https://frenchexamalert.com/guides/sold-out-strategy): When every TEF Canada or TCF Canada session looks sold out, widen your net to both exams and every centre you can reach, prepare your account and documents before seats open, and learn how each centre releases seats. Then watch for returned places, which reappear quietly on booking pages, and book the first seat you can while you keep looking for an earlier one.

## Exam dates by country (live)
- [TEF Canada exam dates](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada): upcoming TEF Canada sessions worldwide
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Canada](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/canada)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in India](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/india)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Nigeria](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/nigeria)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Kenya](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/kenya)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Pakistan](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/pakistan)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in the Philippines](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/philippines)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in the UAE](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/uae)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Morocco](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/morocco)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Cameroon](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/cameroon)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Côte d’Ivoire](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/cote-divoire)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Senegal](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/senegal)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Brazil](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/brazil)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Mexico](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/mexico)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Bangladesh](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/bangladesh)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Nepal](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/nepal)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Sri Lanka](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/sri-lanka)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in Egypt](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/egypt)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in France](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/france)
  - [TEF Canada exam dates in the United States](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tef-canada/united-states)
- [TCF Canada exam dates](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada): upcoming TCF Canada sessions worldwide
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Canada](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/canada)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in India](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/india)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Nigeria](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/nigeria)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Ghana](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/ghana)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Kenya](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/kenya)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Pakistan](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/pakistan)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in the UAE](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/uae)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Morocco](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/morocco)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Cameroon](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/cameroon)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Côte d’Ivoire](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/cote-divoire)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Senegal](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/senegal)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Brazil](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/brazil)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Bangladesh](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/bangladesh)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Nepal](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/nepal)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Lebanon](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/lebanon)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in Egypt](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/egypt)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in the United Kingdom](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/united-kingdom)
  - [TCF Canada exam dates in the United States](https://frenchexamalert.com/exam-dates/tcf-canada/united-states)

## Centres by country
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Canada](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/canada): 10 centres
- [TEF/TCF Canada in India](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/india): 11 centres
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Nigeria](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/nigeria): 4 centres
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Ghana](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/ghana): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Kenya](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/kenya): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Pakistan](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/pakistan): 3 centres
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Philippines](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/philippines): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in UAE](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/uae): 2 centres
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Morocco](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/morocco): 2 centres
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Cameroon](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/cameroon): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Côte d’Ivoire](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/cote-divoire): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Senegal](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/senegal): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Brazil](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/brazil): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Mexico](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/mexico): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Bangladesh](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/bangladesh): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Nepal](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/nepal): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Sri Lanka](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/sri-lanka): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Lebanon](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/lebanon): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in Egypt](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/egypt): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in United Kingdom](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/united-kingdom): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in France](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/france): 1 centre
- [TEF/TCF Canada in United States](https://frenchexamalert.com/centres/united-states): 1 centre

## Optional
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