TCF Canada Test for Immigration

In 2018, the government of Canada started accepting the results of a new test, TCF Canada, as proof of French language skills for candidates applying for permanent economic immigration or for Canadian citizenship through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). 

The Test de connaissance du français pour le Canada (TCF Canada) is administered by Centre international d’études pédagogiques (CIEP), run by the French government, to test proficiency in the French language. The test is available at approved test centres in Canada and more than 150 countries. For instance, in Vancouver, you can take your TCF Canada test at Ashton Testing Services (ATS)

ATS has been consistently rated as one of the best test centres in Canada by Prometric, Yardstick and Pearson. With several years of experience working with numerous partners, they administer over 200 examinations, tests, and assessments, including TCF Canada.

ATS holds TCF Canada sessions throughout the year. Contact ATS - an accredited TCF Centre - today to get more information on the following:

·         Test session dates

·         Registration procedure

·         The location of the test session

·         Fees

TCF Canada test is accepted as part of the application for Canadian permanent residency in the Federal Skilled Worker Class, the Federal Skilled Trades Class and the Canadian Experience Class.

It can be taken by anyone who claims French language ability, including French native speakers. English-speaking candidates for permanent residence are not required to provide the TCF test results unless they are also claiming French language ability and would like to score more points.  

TCF Canada corresponds with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)’s French language standards, the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC). The level of expected proficiency in the language will depend on the immigration stream or program a candidate is applying under. For example, for candidates in the Federal Skilled Worker Class who are taking TCF test, the required language skills are equivalent to NCLC level 7. The language criteria for each of the immigration programs can be found on the Government of Canada website.

TCF Canada test consists of four mandatory parts, which include reading, listening, speaking and writing. There are 39 multiple choice questions in the listening and reading sections, 3 speaking and 3 writing tasks. There is a wide variety of resources available online to get ready for the test. For example, the official CIEP website features many sample papers.  

The test scores are valid for two years. After this time has passed, a candidate will have to retake the test to prove their proficiency. The results of the test are sent to the testing centre within 15 working days starting from the day the CIEP receives the test session material and can be collected at the centre where the TCF Canada test was taken. If the individual doesn’t get the scores they had hoped for, they can retake the TCF Canada test. Candidates can take the test as many times as they would like. However, one must wait 30 days between each attempt.

To register for the Test deConnaissance du Français (TCF) Canada test session with Ashton testing Services, . The next test date is on October 12, 2019. Candidates are requested to register on or before October 09, 2019. The registration fee is $385. For TCF-related questions, please click here.