TEF vs TEFAQ : Our Complete Guide to Success

Source: https://www.canadavisa.com/proving-french-language-ability-tef.html

The Test d’Évaluation de Français (TEF) and the Test d’Évaluation du Français Adapté au Québec (TEFAQ) are French tests for Canada and Québec. Both tests are produced and managed by the Paris Île‑de‑France Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI Paris Île‑de‑France), often abbreviated simply as CCIP.

However, there is a difference between the TEF and TEFAQ. The TEF—including its “TEF Canada” variant—is accepted by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for Express Entry, other federal programs, and citizenship.

The TEFAQ was designed at the request of Québec’s Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration (MIFI) and is the standard French test for Canada immigration streams that lead to a Québec Selection Certificate (QSC).

Because the two exams differ in format and recognition, choosing well saves money and study time—hence this guide on the TEF vs TEFAQ and the practical difference between the TEF and TEFAQ.

In addition, the TEF and TEFAQ both use the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages’ (CEFR) bands as their evaluation grid: each section—Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing—yields a raw score from 0 to 699 that is then converted to one of the six CEFR levels (A1 through C2).

Because the CEFR is internationally standardized, this conversion lets immigration officers, universities, and employers compare your French proficiency against a clear benchmark.

For Canadian files, the CEFR band is then re‑mapped once more: IRCC translates it into CLB/NCLC levels for federal programs, while Québec’s immigration ministry converts it into its own 12‑point scale. In other words, your TEF or TEFAQ score first situates you on the CEFR ladder, and that rung is what downstream authorities use to award language points or satisfy admission requirements.

Selecting the right exam, TEF vs TEFAQ, is a matter of destination.

The TEF Canada route is compulsory if you intend to settle anywhere in Canada outside Québec or need French proof for Express Entry or citizenship.

Candidates bound for a Québec Selection Certificate (QSC) to move and work in Québec are expected to present TEFAQ scores, because MIFI converts those results directly into immigration points.

Academic programs usually accept either exam, but often specify a preferred level. We recommend checking institutional requirements before booking.

Why Take the TEFAQ Exam for Québec Immigration?

As an important French test for Canadian immigration, TEFAQ aligns with Québec’s points‑based immigration selection grid. Only Listening and Speaking scores are obligatory, which shortens the test day and allows candidates to focus their preparation on oral comprehension and expression.

According to the MIFI’s 2024 data, the majority of selected skilled workers submit TEFAQ results because they can reach the maximum 16 language points by mastering two skills rather than four. That efficiency explains TEFAQ’s popularity among applicants targeting Montréal, Québec City, or the province’s growing regional hubs.

Why Take the TEF for Federal Immigration to Canada?

IRCC recognizes TEF as a French test for Canadian immigration, as well as for every federal economic program and citizenship applications. Because the exam measures Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing, it offers an opportunity to score additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points for bilingualism. The four‑skill format also satisfies universities that demand proof of full academic French.

A detailed breakdown of its structure is provided in our TEF Canada test article.

A quick glance shows the difference between TEF and TEFAQ lies in scope: TEF is the all-purpose exam recognized by IRCC, whereas TEFAQ serves Québec-only programs and trims compulsory modules to two skills.

There are a myriad of factors that you need to consider when choosing a TEF/TEFAQ centre.

Seat availability can dictate timing. Urban centres such as Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver run frequent TEF sessions, whereas TEFAQ bookings concentrate heavily in Montréal, Québec City and Québec suburbs.

When selecting a location, confirm it carries the exact exam combination you need and transmits results directly to IRCC or MIFI.

Travel distances, session calendars, and rescheduling policies all matter if you must test on a precise timeline.

TEF Exam Centres

Several online locators feature over a hundred accredited venues worldwide. Filter by city, and preferred TEF exam date to match your schedule.

TEFAQ Exam Centres

The MIFI approves fewer venues for TEFAQ. If you live outside the province of Québec or in remote regions of Québec, expect to travel or secure a spot months in advance.

Edu‑inter Test Centre

Edu‑inter in Québec City hosts both TEF Canada and TEFAQ each month. The centre offers TEF/TEFAQ exam preparation workshops, flexible scheduling, and quick digital results.

Details and contact information appear on our registration page.

Most TEF/TEFAQ exam centres allow changes, but fees rise as the exam day approaches—and there are some conditions.

Edu-inter, for example, accepts rescheduling up to two to three weeks out for an administrative charge; last-minute changes require medical proof and will entail a higher fee.

You can cancel or postpone your exam only if the CCIP approves a serious medical issue or unavoidable travel on test day. Submit a formal request with proof—a doctor’s note or travel confirmation—and wait for their decision.

Approved cancellations cost CAD $120 for one‑ or two‑module bookings, and CAD $160 for three or four modules. If the CCIP rejects the request, the test fee is non‑refundable.

TEF candidates usually see digital scores within four to six weeks.

TEFAQ results generally arrive sooner—three to five weeks—yet holiday or peak-demand periods can extend processing times. Make sure to factor these timelines into your immigration or application calendar.

Expert Tips

A booking strategy matters as much as study strategy. Rather than choosing the first open date, check multiple centers and pick an off‑peak slot—late February, April, or October—when immigration surges are lower and seats are plentiful. You’ll lock in a calmer testing room, shorter check‑in lines, and quicker result processing.

Once registered, treat the confirmation email like a legal document: verify that your name and passport number are identical to your immigration file. A mismatch—even a missing accent—can delay the release of scores by weeks.

Re‑create test conditions at least twice before the real sitting.

For TEF candidates, that means tackling a full three‑and‑a‑half‑hour run‑through in one stretch with the same order of sections, including the one‑hour writing block.

For TEFAQ, focus on recording the oral interview and listening for filler words and timing; most candidates lose points by wandering past the two‑minute limit or failing to structure arguments. Ear training is equally crucial: build a playlist of French news clips featuring Québec accents to sharpen comprehension of diverse pronunciations that may appear in Listening.

Finally, map a 48‑hour pre‑exam checklist. Print your registration confirmation, prepare two pieces of ID, pack extra wired headphones, and plan transport that gets you to the centre at least thirty minutes early.

Use the evening before to skim high‑frequency connectors—cependant, pourtant, en revanche—and practice a final speaking drill rather than cramming new vocabulary. Arriving rested, organized, and mentally rehearsed often lifts performance by the crucial few points that separate one CEFR band from the next.