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

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TEF · Test d’évaluation de français (TEF IRN)

The CCI Paris Île-de-France test for residence cards and nationality. Your score gives a level from A1 to B2.

Official website
How to bookExam centreNo waiting time is published; it depends on the centre. Places can be limited — book early.
Exam parts4· 90 minCompréhension écrite · Compréhension orale · Expression écrite · Expression orale
Result after about≈ 2+weeks2 years from the date of issue.

TEF (A1–B2, CCI Paris Île-de-France · Le français des affaires) has 4 parts: Compréhension écrite, Compréhension orale, Expression écrite, Expression orale. Cost: Set by the centre; not refunded if you are absent without justification or give up. Result: Results in about 2 weeks. Checked 2026-09-29.

Dates, places and waiting times

No national TEF dates: register directly with a TEF centre; the centre contacts you to finish registration and payment. source

  1. 1Bookat an approved exam centre in France
  2. 2ExamNo national TEF dates: register directly with a TEF centre
  3. 3ResultResults in about 2 weeks
  4. 4Certificate2 years from the date of issue.

Where

About 500 official TEF centres in over 110 countries, including France. source

Waiting & results

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

Results in about 2 weeks. source

Cost & retakes

Set by the centre; not refunded if you are absent without justification or give up. source

You may not take the same TEF test (any version) twice within 20 days. source

At a glance

WhoFrom 16 years: residence cards, resident card, French nationality[1]
PartsReading 20 q (30 min), listening 20 q (20 min), writing 2 sections (30 min), speaking 2 sections (10 min)[1]
DurationAbout 1 h 30, all on the same day[2]
LevelsA1 to B2; score 0–499 per test[3]
Validity2 years from the date of issue[1]
ResultsAbout 2 weeks[1]
PriceSet by the test centre; not refundable if you are absent without reason[4]

Exam parts90 min in total

Compréhension écrite30 min
Compréhension orale20 min
Expression écrite30 min
Expression orale10 min
Compréhension écriteReading · 20 questions
30 min
Format
On computer, multiple choice
Questions / tasks
20 questions
Task types
Everyday and administrative documents.
Scoring
Correct = 1 point, wrong or empty = 0; converted to a score 0–499
Allowed aids
No dictionary or notes[2]
Compréhension oraleListening · 20 questions
20 min
Format
On computer, multiple choice
Questions / tasks
20 questions
Task types
Everyday audio: voicemail messages, announcements, interviews.
Scoring
Correct = 1 point, wrong or empty = 0; converted to a score 0–499
Allowed aids
No dictionary, no scrap paper[2]
Expression écriteWriting · 2 sections: A (10 min, about 40 words), B (20 min, about 100 words)
30 min
Format
On computer
Questions / tasks
2 sections: A (10 min, about 40 words), B (20 min, about 100 words)
Task types
Two short texts; section B was extended from 60 to 100 words in 2025.
Scoring
Rated on a grid: communication, vocabulary, grammar, organisation
Allowed aids
No dictionary[1]
Expression oraleSpeaking · 2 sections of 5 min (A and B)
10 min
Format
Face to face with an examiner
Questions / tasks
2 sections of 5 min (A and B)
Task types
Two speaking tasks with the examiner.
Scoring
Rated on a grid: communication, vocabulary, grammar, fluency
Allowed aids
—[1]

Scoring, results and retakes

1

Levels per test

Each test gets a score 0–499: below 100 = under A1, 100–199 = A1, 200–299 = A2, 300+ = B1, 400+ = B2.[3]

2

How the overall level is set

A2: 200+ on 3 tests and 167+ on the lowest. B1: 300+ on 3 tests and 267+ on the lowest. B2: 400+ on 3 tests and 367+ on the lowest.[3]

3

Same day required

All four tests must be taken on the same day for the certificate to be recognised.[1]

4

Results and validity

Results come in about 2 weeks. The certificate is valid 2 years from the date of issue.[1]

5

Appeals

You can appeal within 30 days after the result certificate is issued, for documented problems or malfunctions.[3]

What is really tested

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

Reading: 20 questions, 30 minutes

  • Includes administrative documents since the 2025 update.
  • No penalty for a wrong answer: never leave a question empty.
  • For B1 you need 300+ here (or at least 267 if it is your lowest test).
Source [2]

Listening: 20 questions, 20 minutes

  • Everyday audio such as voicemail, announcements and interviews.
  • No scrap paper during listening: train to remember key facts.
  • Wrong or empty = 0 points, so always choose an answer.
Source [5]

Writing: 40 + 100 words

  • Section A: 10 minutes, about 40 words.
  • Section B: 20 minutes, about 100 words.
  • Graded on communication, vocabulary, grammar and organisation.
Source [1]

Speaking: 2 × 5 minutes

  • Two sections (A and B) of 5 minutes each, with an examiner.
  • Graded on communication, vocabulary, grammar and fluency.
  • Keep talking: short answers give the examiner little to rate.
Source [1]

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.[6]

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.[6]

B2 for French nationality

Since 2026-01-01 naturalisation, nationality by marriage and reintegration require French at B2, spoken and written.[7]

Registration1
Register at a TEF centre

Register directly at one of about 500 official centres in over 110 countries. The centre contacts you to finish registration and tells you how to pay.[1]

Costs & payment1
No refund if absent

The price is set by the centre. If you are absent without justification or give up, you are not refunded.[4]

Retakes1
20 days between attempts

You may not take the same TEF test twice, any version, within 20 days.[4]

Adapted exams1
Adapted conditions

Candidates with a disability can ask for adjustments, with a medical certificate explaining the needs, before the test.[4]

Good to know1
Validity for France

Residence cards: TCF/TEF valid 2 years. Nationality: the TEF result must be less than 2 years old.[7]

On the exam day

  1. 1
    Photo ID

    Bring an ID with photo. You accept being photographed and your signature being recorded.[4]

  2. 2
    ID and invitation checked

    The supervisor checks your ID and your invitation. Nothing personal on the table.[5]

  3. 3
    No late entry

    Latecomers are not allowed into the room once the test has begun.[5]

  4. 4
    Forbidden items

    Phones and electronic devices off; no dictionary; no scrap paper or notes during reading, listening and speaking. You may not leave during the computer tests.[5]

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.[6]

  2. In forceNew TEF IRN format

    Since 2025-04-01: levels A1–B2 only; total time from 1 h 20 to 1 h 30; reading includes administrative documents; writing section B from 60 to 100 words; speaking sections A and B reordered.[2]

Frequently asked questions

What are the parts of TEF?

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

How much does TEF cost?

Set by the centre; not refunded if you are absent without justification or give up. source

How do you register for TEF?

No national TEF dates: register directly with a TEF centre; the centre contacts you to finish registration and payment. source

How long do you have to wait for TEF?

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

When do you get the result of TEF?

Results in about 2 weeks. source

What happens if you fail TEF?

You may not take the same TEF test (any version) twice within 20 days. source

Where can you take TEF?

About 500 official TEF centres in over 110 countries, including France. source

Official sources

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

  1. [1]
    TEF IRN – En savoir plus Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France)
  2. [2]
    Le TEF IRN évolue à partir du mardi 1er avril 2025 Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France) · page date 2025-02-24
  3. [3]
    TEF IRN – Understand your results Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France)
  4. [4]
    Conditions d’inscription et de passation Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France)
  5. [5]
    TEF IRN – Passer le test Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France)
  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

1Never leave a question blank

Wrong and empty answers both score 0, so guessing costs nothing.

2Mind your weakest test

The overall level also looks at your lowest score (e.g. 267 for B1). Do not ignore one skill.

3Count your words

Practise writing about 40 and about 100 words within 10 and 20 minutes.

4Plan around the 2-year validity

Take the test when your application is close, so your result is still valid.

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 pageTEF Compréhension écrite (Reading)TEF Compréhension orale (Listening)TEF Production écrite (Writing)TEF Production orale (Speaking)TEFFrench 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