On TEF Canada exam day, bring your convocation and your ID, and arrive at the exact time on the convocation: no latecomer is admitted once the test has started. You'll take reading, listening and writing on a computer, with no leaving the room during those tests, plus a 15-minute face-to-face speaking test that is recorded. All four must be on the same day.
This guide walks you through the day in order, from check-in to your results email, using the official rules of Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France), the test owner. Centres can add their own instructions, so your convocation always has the final word. If you're sitting it in Lagos or Abuja, our TEF and TCF Canada guide for Nigeria covers the local centres and booking.
- Total test time (4 tests)
- 2 h 55
- Tests on computer
- 3
- Speaking, face to face
- 15 min
- Working days for results
- 1–10
Before the day
Your convocation
After your registration is confirmed, your test centre emails you a convocation. It gives your date, your arrival time and the address. If you haven't received it a few days before the test, check your spam folder, then contact the centre. You'll show it at the door with your ID.
Accommodations
If you need adjustments for a disability, you must give your centre a medical certificate before you register, explaining the disability and recommending adjustments. The test owner reviews requests as quickly as possible. If you're not comfortable with computers, the centre may also offer help or adjustments, such as a handwritten writing test.
If you can't make it
Registration is final and fees aren't refunded. If you cancel or miss the test for a serious reason, bring proof to your centre (a medical certificate or an employer's letter, for example). Le français des affaires reviews the reason and may offer a new registration at no extra cost. An unjustified absence or giving up during the test is not refunded.
What to bring
The official list is short:
- Your ID. The supervisor checks it against your convocation. Bring the document you registered with, valid on the day. Some centres ask for a specific document, such as a passport, so read your convocation.
- Your convocation. A printed copy is the safest choice if your centre asks for one.
That's it. Your ID is the only thing allowed on the table. Phones and every other electronic device must be switched off. No dictionary or reference document is allowed, and during the listening and speaking tests no paper, notes or documents of any kind.
Arrival and check-in
Arrive at the time on your convocation, not the start time of the first test. The rule is strict: no latecomer is admitted once the test has started.
At check-in, the supervisor:
- Checks your ID and convocation.
- Asks you to confirm your personal details on a tablet: name, first name, date of birth and email. These details are printed on your attestation, so check the spelling against your passport now. This is the moment to ask for a correction.
- Has you sign on the tablet. Your attestation carries your photo and signature.
- Gives you an access code to log in to the test platform.
The order of the tests
Reading, listening and writing are on computer. Speaking is face to face with an examiner.
| Test | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Reading (compréhension écrite) | 60 min | 40 multiple-choice questions on 51 screens, free navigation |
| Listening (compréhension orale) | 40 min | 40 multiple-choice questions on 46 screens, each audio played once, no going back |
| Writing (expression écrite) | 60 min | Section A (25 min, 80 words minimum) and section B (35 min, 200 words minimum) |
| Speaking (expression orale) | 15 min | Section A (5 min) and section B (10 min), face to face, recorded |
The test owner presents the tests in this order. The time of your speaking test depends on how your centre organises the day, so check your convocation. All four must be taken on the same day: Le français des affaires says the attestation isn't recognised by Canadian authorities otherwise. For citizenship, you only need listening and speaking.
For the full format of each test, see the TEF Canada exam format.
The computer tests: what to expect
The tests run on the test owner's online platform, on the centre's computers. You still go to the centre: there's no at-home TEF Canada.
No leaving the room
Le français des affaires states that no one may leave during the computer tests. Its rules don't mention a break between them, so plan as if reading, listening and writing (about 2 hours 40 minutes) could run back to back. Eat, drink and use the bathroom before you go in, and ask your centre at check-in if a pause is planned.
Reading: you control the clock
In reading, you can move freely between the 40 questions. Our TEF Canada reading tips give a minute-by-minute pacing plan you can rehearse on free TEF Canada mock test 1.
Listening: the computer controls the clock
In listening, each audio starts automatically after a few seconds to read the question, plays once, and is followed by a short time to answer. You can't go back. Check your headset as soon as you sit down and tell the supervisor straight away if the sound is wrong. Our TEF Canada listening tips explain the timings of each part, and the TEF Canada listening drills, part by part let you sit short sets with the one-play timing.
Writing: two sections, two clocks
Writing is timed per section: 25 minutes for section A (continue a news story, at least 80 words) and 35 minutes for section B (give and defend your opinion, at least 200 words). If your keyboard doesn't have French accents, a virtual keyboard is available on screen. Practise typing accents before the day: é, è, à, ç, ê, ô appear in almost every sentence. Our TEF Canada writing examples show what a complete answer looks like.
The speaking test with the examiner
Speaking is one candidate and one examiner, for 15 minutes. The session is always recorded so that a second evaluator can rate it.
- Section A, obtaining information (5 minutes). You get a short document, such as an ad, and phone to find out more. The task asks for about ten questions. The examiner plays the person you call, and the register is formal (vous).
- Section B, arguing to convince (10 minutes). You get another document and talk to a friend about it, trying to convince them. The examiner plays your friend, the register is informal (tu), and the friend keeps disagreeing. That's the format, not a sign you're doing badly.
Le français des affaires doesn't publish a separate preparation time for the speaking sections. Rehearse with the real durations:
TEF Canada practice timer
Obtenir des renseignements
5:00
Timings from Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France). The TEF publishes no separate preparation time for speaking, so the timer runs straight away.
Our TEF Canada speaking examples have model answers for both sections, and the free TCF and TEF speaking questions give you more topics to practise.
What counts as cheating
During the exam it's forbidden to copy from other candidates, use the internet or any device, consult outside material, or recite a memorised text. Plagiarism is sanctioned and forging an attestation is forbidden. The test content is confidential: you may not reproduce or share it.
Cases go to the CCI Paris Île-de-France disciplinary commission. Sanctions include cancelled results and a temporary ban: one year for cheating during the exam, two years for identity fraud or a forged attestation. A decision can be appealed within two months.
If something goes wrong
- The audio, headset or computer fails. Raise your hand and tell the supervisor at once. The test owner only accepts an appeal for a serious anomaly or malfunction if you reported it on the day, and the appeal must be made within 30 days of the attestation date.
- Your details are wrong. Fix them at the tablet check-in. Later, contact your centre before you use the attestation anywhere.
- You feel unwell. Tell the supervisor. Giving up during the test isn't refunded, but a serious, documented reason can be reviewed for a free new registration.
After the exam
Results are sent within 1 to 10 working days of the test. You get an email with a link to a digital vault where you download your attestation; there's no paper copy. The attestation is valid for two years from its issue date. For Express Entry, use the "Équivalence ancien score" column, never the /699 scores: our TEF Canada results guide explains every line.
If you need a retake, the TEF has a 20-day waiting period between two sessions. Enter your test date to see your results window, earliest retake and expiry date:
Exam date planner
Pick your test and date to see your countdown, when to sit full mock tests, and the key dates after the exam.
Choose a test date to build your timeline.
Results delays and retake rules come from the test owners; your centre may differ. Mock-test dates are our suggestion.
Once you have your ancien scores, check your levels with the NCLC score converter.
Your exam-day checklist
One week before
Reread your convocation: address, arrival time, ID. Plan your route and a backup. Do a final full timed TEF mock test in the official order to rehearse the long computer block.
The night before
Put your ID and printed convocation in your bag. Practise typing a few French accents. Stop studying early and sleep.
The morning
Eat, drink water and use the bathroom before check-in: you can't leave during the computer tests. Switch your phone off before you reach the room.
In the room
Check your details on the tablet, test your headset, answer every multiple-choice question, and watch the clock in each writing section.
Want it on one page? Print the free TCF and TEF exam day checklist. Taking the TCF Canada instead? The day is organised differently: read our TCF Canada exam day guide.
What to do next
Know your level before you book
Take the free 10-question French level check.
Book a session
Find a date on the TEF Canada exam dates page and follow our guide on how to book the TEF Canada.
Fix your weakest skill
Practise with the TEF Canada practice test hub. For unlimited practice and detailed writing and speaking feedback, see our plans.
Our take
The TEF Canada day is shorter on surprises than most people fear: a tablet check-in, a long computer block you can't leave, then 15 minutes of conversation. Prepare your body for the computer block, your keyboard for French accents and your voice for a friend who never agrees, and you'll spend the day on your French instead of the logistics.
Exam rules can change and centres add their own. This article reflects Le français des affaires' and IRCC's pages as checked on the date shown at the top. NCLC French is not affiliated with IRCC, France Éducation international or Le français des affaires.