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The official rules, explained clearly.

Exam parts, scoring, costs and dates for each exam, with a link to the official source behind every fact.

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TCF · Test de connaissance du français (TCF IRN)

A placement test by France Éducation international: no pass/fail, your result is a level. The TCF IRN version is made for residence cards and nationality.

Official website
How to bookExam centreNo waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Places can be limited — book early.
Exam parts4· 95 minCompréhension orale · Compréhension écrite · Expression écrite · Expression orale
Places3Bordeaux · Strasbourg · Toulouse

TCF (A1–B2, France Éducation international) has 4 parts: Compréhension orale, Compréhension écrite, Expression écrite, Expression orale. Cost: Set by the centre. Result: Depends on the centre: 15 working days (Bordeaux Montaigne), 2–3 weeks (AF Strasbourg), 4–5 weeks (AF Toulouse). Checked 2026-09-29.

Dates, places and waiting times

No national TCF dates: each TCF centre sets its own sessions. Example: Alliance Française Toulouse, Fridays 13:45–17:00. source

  1. 1Bookat an approved exam centre in France
  2. 2ExamNo national TCF dates: each TCF centre sets its own sessions
  3. 3ResultDepends on the centre: 15 working days (Bordeaux Montaigne), 2–3 weeks (AF Strasbourg), 4–5 weeks (AF Toulouse)
  4. 4Certificate2 years for French residence and nationality procedures.

Where

BordeauxStrasbourgToulouse

Examples of TCF IRN centres checked: Université Bordeaux Montaigne, Alliance Française Strasbourg, Alliance Française Toulouse. Other centres across France. source

Waiting & results

No waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Places can be limited — book early. source

Depends on the centre: 15 working days (Bordeaux Montaigne), 2–3 weeks (AF Strasbourg), 4–5 weeks (AF Toulouse). source

Cost & retakes

Set by the centre. Examples: €150 (Université Bordeaux Montaigne); from €130 + €50 registration fee (Alliance Française Toulouse). source

You can retake; example AF Strasbourg: at least 20 days between two attempts. Pay the fee again. source

At a glance

WhoPeople who need A2 (multi-year card), B1 (resident card) or B2 (nationality).[1]
PartsListening 25 q (20 min), reading 25 q (35 min), writing 3 tasks (30 min), speaking 3 tasks (10 min)[2]
DurationAbout 1 h 35[1]
ResultA level from A1 to B2 (TCF IRN); no pass mark[3]
Validity for France2 years for residence cards; for nationality issued less than 2 years ago[4]
PriceSet by the centre, e.g. €150 (Université Bordeaux Montaigne) or from €130 + €50 registration (Alliance Française Toulouse)[1]
FormatOn computer at the centre (reading/listening/writing) + face-to-face speaking[2]

Exam parts95 min in total

Compréhension orale20 min
Compréhension écrite35 min
Expression écrite30 min
Expression orale10 min
Compréhension oraleListening · 25 questions
20 min
Format
Multiple choice, on computer
Questions / tasks
25 questions
Task types
Multiple-choice questions on recordings.
Scoring
Score converted to a CEFR level
Allowed aids
Not stated on the pages we could read[2]
Compréhension écriteReading · 25 questions
35 min
Format
Multiple choice, on computer
Questions / tasks
25 questions
Task types
Multiple-choice questions on written documents.
Scoring
Score converted to a CEFR level
Allowed aids
Not stated on the pages we could read[2]
Expression écriteWriting · 3 tasks
30 min
Format
Written tasks
Questions / tasks
3 tasks
Task types
Three writing exercises.
Scoring
Marked out of 20 and converted to a level (2024 scale: 2–5 = A2, 6–9 = B1, 10–20 = B2)
Allowed aids
Not stated on the pages we could read[5]
Expression oraleSpeaking · 3 tasks
10 min
Format
Face to face with an examiner
Questions / tasks
3 tasks
Task types
An individual interview with three exercises.
Scoring
Marked out of 20 and converted to a level
Allowed aids
—[2]

Scoring, results and retakes

1

A level, not pass/fail

The TCF IRN places you from A1 to B2. What counts is whether your level matches what your application needs (A2, B1 or B2).[3]

2

Multiple-choice score bands (2024 registration)

France compétences RS6643: 101–199 = A1, 200–299 = A2, 300–399 = B1, 400–499 = B2. Whether the current version uses the same bands is not confirmed.[5]

3

All four parts together

The four tests are compulsory and cannot be validated separately.[5]

4

Results time depends on the centre

Examples: 15 working days (Université Bordeaux Montaigne), 2–3 weeks (Alliance Française Strasbourg), 4–5 weeks (Alliance Française Toulouse).[1]

5

Valid 2 years for French procedures

For residence cards TCF and TEF certificates are valid 2 years; for nationality the result must be less than 2 years old.[6]

What is really tested

Derived from the official task descriptions and level descriptions — not from leaked questions.

Listening: 25 questions in 20 minutes

  • All multiple choice — one answer per question.
  • Less than a minute per question: decide and move on.
  • For B1: understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters.
Source [2]

Reading: 25 questions in 35 minutes

  • Multiple choice on written documents.
  • About 1.4 minutes per question — keep an eye on the clock.
  • For B2: read articles and reports in which writers take a point of view.
Source [2]

Writing: 3 tasks in 30 minutes

  • Three exercises in one block of 30 minutes.
  • Marked out of 20; on the 2024 scale 6–9 = B1 and 10–20 = B2.
  • Plan your time so the last task is not left empty.
Source [5]

Speaking: 10 minutes face to face

  • Individual interview with an examiner, three exercises.
  • Short: answer fully, give examples and reasons.
  • For B2: explain a viewpoint giving advantages and disadvantages.
Source [2]

Rules you need to know

Routes & levels3
A2 for a first multi-year card

Since 2026-01-01 a first carte de séjour pluriannuelle (multi-year residence card) requires French at A2 if you are under 65. Renewals are not concerned.[4]

B1 for a first resident card

Since 2026-01-01 a first carte de résident (10-year resident card) requires French at B1 if you are under 65.[4]

B2 for French nationality

Since 2026-01-01 naturalisation, nationality by marriage and reintegration require French at B2, spoken and written.[6]

Registration1
Register at a TCF centre

Centres (universities, Alliances françaises…) set their own dates, prices and payment rules. Example: Bordeaux Montaigne €150 paid online; Alliance Française Toulouse from €130 + €50 registration fee.[3]

Retakes1
Waiting time between attempts

Example Alliance Française Strasbourg: at least 20 days between two TCF IRN attempts.[2]

Exemptions1
Exemptions

Residence cards: 65 and over, health or disability (medical certificate), categories without CIR. Nationality: medical impossibility; and refugees or stateless people over 70 with 15 years of residence.[6]

Good to know1
TCF tout public is a different test

TCF tout public: 5 parts (listening 25 min/29 q, language structures 15 min/18 q, reading 45 min/29 q, speaking 12 min, writing 60 min), levels A1–C2. Official pages only say "TCF"; check with your prefecture which version it accepts.[7]

On the exam day

  1. 1
    Be there in person

    The computer-based test runs on the centre’s computers, so you must be present on site.[2]

  2. 2
    Order and length

    About 1 h 35 of testing: listening 20, reading 35, writing 30 minutes, speaking 10 minutes with an examiner.[1]

  3. 3
    Example schedule

    Alliance Française Toulouse holds the TCF IRN on Fridays, 13:45–17:00.[3]

Recent and planned changes

  1. In forceNew levels for residence and nationality

    Since 2026-01-01: A2 for a first multi-year card, B1 for a first resident card, B2 for nationality.[4]

  2. In forceTCF IRN registered up to B2

    France compétences registered the TCF IRN (RS6643) on 2024-05-31 for 3 years, certifying A2, B1 and B2. That record still describes an older, shorter format (1 h 15); centres now describe 25 + 25 questions (1 h 35).[5]

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of TCF?

Compréhension orale (20 min) · Compréhension écrite (35 min) · Expression écrite (30 min) · Expression orale (10 min).

How much does TCF cost?

Set by the centre. Examples: €150 (Université Bordeaux Montaigne); from €130 + €50 registration fee (Alliance Française Toulouse). source

How do you register for TCF?

No national TCF dates: each TCF centre sets its own sessions. Example: Alliance Française Toulouse, Fridays 13:45–17:00. source

How long do you have to wait for TCF?

No waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Places can be limited — book early. source

When do you get the result of TCF?

Depends on the centre: 15 working days (Bordeaux Montaigne), 2–3 weeks (AF Strasbourg), 4–5 weeks (AF Toulouse). source

What happens if you fail TCF?

You can retake; example AF Strasbourg: at least 20 days between two attempts. Pay the fee again. source

Where can you take TCF?

Examples of TCF IRN centres checked: Université Bordeaux Montaigne, Alliance Française Strasbourg, Alliance Française Toulouse. Other centres across France. Bordeaux, Strasbourg, Toulouse. source

Official sources

Checked on 2026-09-29. Rules change — the official page always wins.

  1. [1]
  2. [2]
    TCF IRN sur ordinateur Alliance Française de Strasbourg (centre TCF)
  3. [3]
    TCF IRN Alliance Française de Toulouse (centre TCF)
  4. [4]
  5. [5]
  6. [6]
  7. [7]
  8. [8]
    CEFR self-assessment grid (EN) European Union (Europass)

Prepare with this in mind

Exam tips from EUpassway · editorial, not official rules

1Know the level you need

A2, B1 or B2 depends on your application. Aim a little above it: all four skills count.

2Watch the 2-year limit

Take the test close to when you will apply, so the result is still under 2 years old.

3Train on screen

Reading and listening are on a computer. Practise multiple-choice questions on a screen with a timer.

4Compare centres

Price, dates and result times differ by centre. Ask before you pay; fees are often not refundable.

Practise in exam formatMock sets and official sample examsOpen Exam training videosPlaylists for this levelOpen Exam vocabularyWord lists with audioOpen Official documentsSample exams, rules, word listsOpen

Practise each part — sample questions with answers

Key facts in one pageTCF Compréhension écrite (Reading)TCF Compréhension orale (Listening)TCF Production écrite (Writing)TCF Production orale (Speaking)TCFFrench word listsQuestions and answers

Compiled with AI assistance from official pages (France Éducation international, Le français des affaires, service-public.fr, the Ministry of the Interior and other official sources) · not yet reviewed by a teacher · the official page always wins