TCF to CEFR Converter

The TCF (Test de Connaissance du Francais) uses a dual scale: Listening and Reading sections are scored 0 to 699; Writing and Speaking sections are scored 0 to 20. Each section converts to a CEFR level independently. For Listening / Reading: 600+ = C2, 500 to 599 = C1, 400 to 499 = B2, 300 to 399 = B1, 200 to 299 = A2, 100 to 199 = A1. For Writing / Speaking: 18 to 20 = C2, 16 to 17 = C1, 14 to 15 = B2, 10 to 13 = B1, 6 to 9 = A2, 4 to 5 = A1. Your effective CEFR level is the lowest of the four section levels.

TCF Tout Public is the standard general-purpose version, accepted at most universities and for general use. TCF DAP is for non-EU undergraduate admission to French universities (with mandatory Listening, Reading, and Writing sections). TCF Canada is the version accepted by IRCC for Canadian Permanent Residency (Express Entry). TCF Quebec is for Quebec immigration (PRTQ / PSTQ). TCF Integration Resident Naturalisation (TCF IRN) is the only TCF version accepted for French citizenship; it tests Listening and Speaking only at A1 to B1 levels. The CEFR conversion of section scores is the same across all versions.

TCF results are valid for 2 years from the test date for most institutional and immigration uses, including French universities, Canadian Express Entry (IRCC), and Quebec immigration. After 2 years you must retake the test. This is a key difference from DELF / DALF, which is valid for life. If you want a long-term French language certificate, take DELF or DALF; if you need a fast, repeatable test for specific immigration or admission deadlines, take TCF.

Only the specific TCF Integration Resident Naturalisation (TCF IRN) version is accepted for French naturalisation; standard TCF Tout Public is NOT accepted. Since 2020 the threshold has been A2 in Listening AND Speaking; from January 2026 it rises to B1 in Listening AND Speaking. Alternatively, a DELF A2 or B1 diploma satisfies the requirement (and DELF is valid for life, while TCF IRN is valid for 2 years). Verify the current threshold with your prefecture before booking.

Your effective CEFR level is the lowest of the four section CEFR levels. If you score B2 in Reading, B1 in Listening, B1 in Writing, and A2 in Speaking, your effective level is A2. This is how French universities, Quebec immigration, and IRCC Canada interpret results: a candidate with mixed levels is treated as the weakest section. The exception is when an authority awards points per skill (Quebec PRTQ, Canada CRS) where each section earns its own band points; in that case all four section levels matter independently.

Listening and Reading are scored by computer (multiple-choice items), so they support a fine-grained 0 to 699 scale where every additional correct item contributes a defined number of points. Writing and Speaking are scored by trained human raters using rubrics, with a coarser 0 to 20 scale that matches the granularity human raters can reliably distinguish. Both scales align to the same CEFR bands; the dual format reflects the test-design realities of automated vs human scoring.

For non-EU undergraduate admission, French universities require either TCF DAP (with the mandatory Writing section) or DELF B2 / DALF C1. TCF Tout Public is generally NOT accepted for the DAP process; you must specifically take TCF DAP. For postgraduate admission via Etudes en France, TCF Tout Public results are typically accepted. Always verify with the specific university and program. The minimum threshold is usually B2 (TCF score 400+ in Listening and Reading; 14+ in Writing and Speaking).

For Canadian Express Entry: both TCF Canada and TEF Canada are accepted by IRCC; choose based on test centre availability and personal preference for the test format. For French citizenship: both TCF IRN and TEF Naturalisation are accepted (or DELF). For French university admission: TCF DAP and TEF are both accepted at many universities; verify with the registrar. For Quebec immigration: TEFAQ and TCF Quebec are both accepted. The two tests have similar difficulty and similar format; the main differences are administering body (France Education International for TCF; Chambre de Commerce et d Industrie de Paris for TEF) and per-region test centre availability.