Is the TEF easier than the TCF? No official source supports that claim: neither IRCC, nor the TEF's publisher, nor France Éducation international ranks the two tests by difficulty. There are, however, objective differences in format, length and scoring. Depending on your profile, they may make one of the two more comfortable for you.
What no official source says
The question keeps coming up on immigration forums such as CanadaVisa. The answers there are often based on personal experience: a candidate who did better on one test than on the other concludes that it is easier. That impression only holds true for that person.
For each test, IRCC sets specific thresholds on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), based on official correspondence tables. Both certificates open the same doors for Express Entry and for Québec. Our TEF or TCF Canada comparison makes this point before going into the practical details.
The objective differences
Here is what really sets the two tests apart, based on the official pages reviewed by our research.
| Criterion | TEF Canada | TCF Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | 2 sections, at least 80 and 200 words, no maximum | 3 tasks, with word ranges |
| Speaking | 2 role plays in 15 min | 3 tasks in 12 min, including 2 min of preparation |
| Listening comprehension | 40 questions in 40 min, reading time before each recording | 39 questions in 35 min, question asked after listening |
| Reading comprehension | 40 questions in 60 min, 5 parts with their own document types | 39 questions in 60 min, increasing difficulty |
| Scoring of writing and speaking | Out of 699 | Out of 20 |
| Total length | 2 h 55 min | 2 h 47 min |
In both tests, each recording is played only once. On the TEF, each comprehension question offers four options and only one correct answer, and no wrong answer costs you points: so you should answer every single question.
CLB thresholds that cannot be compared
For CLB 7 (NCLC 7 in French), IRCC requires on the TEF Canada 434 in reading comprehension, 434 in listening comprehension, 428 in writing and 456 in speaking. On the TCF Canada, it requires 453 and 458 in reading and listening comprehension respectively, then 10 out of 20 in both writing and speaking.
These figures say nothing about relative difficulty: the scales and the tests are different. For the TEF Canada, the key point to remember is that speaking requires the highest threshold of the four tests. Our article on CLB 7 on the TEF Canada details the scores to enter in Express Entry.
What may work in your favour on the TEF
Some features of the TEF suit certain profiles better:
- You develop your ideas easily in writing: the absence of a word maximum gives you room to argue your case, as long as you stay relevant.
- You like to read before you listen: in listening comprehension, a reading time comes before each recording, from 5 to 20 seconds depending on the part.
- You are comfortable in conversation: the speaking test takes the form of two conversations with the examiner, rather than a presentation.
To check whether the format suits you, take a listening comprehension mock test, with its 40 questions in 40 minutes. Mock tests marked “Free” are available with a free account, and the estimated score shows where you stand against the 434 threshold.
What may get in your way on the TEF
Other features call for specific preparation:
- The word minimum: 80 words in section A and 200 in section B, with at least three arguments in section B. You have to produce content, not just set phrases.
- The examiner who pushes back: in section B of the speaking test, the examiner plays a friend who never agrees and prepares counter-arguments.
- Partial answers: in section A, the examiner deliberately gives incomplete information to make you ask follow-up questions.
- The pace of reading comprehension: 40 questions in 60 minutes, with graphs and documents that carry two questions each.
Prepare for these situations without learning a text by heart: reciting a memorized text is penalized as fraud. Our article on TEF Canada test day describes how the speaking test unfolds and the rules that apply in the exam room.
Test yourself before choosing
The best indicator is still your own result. Take a complete mock test in the TEF format, under the same time conditions, then note the test where you feel least comfortable. If it is writing or speaking, train on that specific format before you register.
Price and dates matter too. In many centres, both tests cost the same: 170,000 CFA francs in Abidjan or MAD 2,900 in Morocco, according to the fees recorded in 2026, to be checked with the centre. Our guide to TEF Canada prices in 2026 covers the other countries.
Frequently asked questions
Is the TEF speaking test easier than the TCF one?
No official source says so. The TEF speaking test lasts 15 minutes and is based on two role plays; the TCF one lasts 12 minutes, with three tasks including 2 minutes of preparation. On the TEF, CLB 7 requires 456 out of 699 in speaking.
Is the TEF longer than the TCF?
Slightly: 2 hours 55 minutes in total for the TEF Canada, compared with 2 hours 47 minutes for the TCF Canada, according to the official pages reviewed by our research.
Forums say the TEF is easier: should you believe them?
Treat these opinions as individual accounts. They do not replace your own attempt at material in the format of each test. A reading comprehension mock test will help you assess the TEF format for yourself.
In short
Neither test is officially easier: choose the one whose format works in your favour, then prepare for it seriously. To try the TEF's writing test, complete a writing mock test, then look at the subscription, which gives access to the other mock tests.
Réussir Mon TEF is an independent practice platform. It is not affiliated with Le français des affaires (CCI Paris Île-de-France), which designs the TEF, or with any immigration authority. Our mock tests are original: they are not official test papers.