TCF Exam Format: Complete Guide to All 4 Variants (2026)
Everything you need to know about TCF Canada, Tout Public, Quebec, and IRN — sections, timing, scoring, and test day tips.
Quick Overview: All 4 TCF Variants
Compare the key differences between each TCF variant at a glance.
| Aspect | TCF Canada | TCF TP | TCF Quebec | TCF IRN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sections | 4 mandatory (CO, CE, EE, EO) | 3 mandatory + 2 optional | Modular (choose needed) | 4 mandatory (CO, CE, EE, EO) |
| MCQ Count | 78 MCQ + 6 tasks | 76 MCQ + 6 tasks (optional) | 58 MCQ + 6 tasks | 50 MCQ + 4 tasks |
| Total Duration | ~2h 47min | 1h 25min (mandatory) + 72min (optional) | ~2h 22min (all sections) | ~1h 50min |
| Mandatory / Optional | All 4 mandatory | 3 mandatory, 2 optional | Choose sections needed | All 4 mandatory |
| Max Score | 699 (CO/CE) + 20 (EE/EO) | 699 (CO/CE/Gram) + 20 (EE/EO) | 699 (CO/CE) + 20 (EE/EO) | 499 (CO/CE) + 20 (EE/EO) |
| Purpose | Canadian immigration (PR, citizenship) | University admission, general proficiency | Quebec immigration (ARRIMA) | French citizenship, residence card |
TCF Canada Format (Detailed)
All 4 sections are mandatory. Accepted by IRCC for Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and Canadian citizenship.
Listening Comprehension (CO)
Questions
39 MCQ
Duration
35 minutes
Scoring
100-699 points
Progressive difficulty from A1 to C2. Questions move from simple everyday conversations to complex academic lectures and debates. You hear each audio only once.
Reading Comprehension (CE)
Questions
39 MCQ
Duration
60 minutes
Scoring
100-699 points
Progressive difficulty from A1 to C2. Texts range from short everyday notices to long academic articles and literary excerpts. Each question has 4 answer choices.
Written Expression (EE)
Questions
3 tasks
Duration
60 minutes
Scoring
0-20 points
Task 1 (A1-A2): Write a short message or note. Task 2 (B1-B2): Write a formal letter or article expressing your opinion. Task 3 (C1-C2): Write an argumentative essay comparing viewpoints.
Oral Expression (EO)
Questions
3 tasks
Duration
12 minutes
Scoring
0-20 points
Task 1 (A1-A2): Interview with directed questions. Task 2 (B1-B2): Interaction exercise - role play a situation. Task 3 (C1-C2): Express and defend an opinion on a complex topic.
Scoring System
Comprehension sections (CO/CE) use a 100-699 scale with progressive difficulty — your score depends on how far you get. Expression sections (EE/EO) are scored 0-20 by certified examiners. All scores map to CEFR levels (A1-C2) and NCLC levels for immigration.
TCF Tout Public Format (Detailed)
The general-purpose TCF. 3 mandatory sections plus 2 optional expression sections. Accepted by French universities and for general proficiency certification.
3 Mandatory + 2 Optional
The listening, reading, and grammar sections are mandatory. Writing and speaking are optional — add them if required by your university or program. The grammar section (Maitrise des structures de la langue) is unique to TCF Tout Public.
Listening Comprehension (CO)
Questions
29 MCQ
Duration
25 minutes
Scoring
100-699 points
Progressive difficulty from A1 to C2. 29 questions based on audio recordings of increasing complexity — from simple announcements to academic debates.
Reading Comprehension (CE)
Questions
29 MCQ
Duration
45 minutes
Scoring
100-699 points
Progressive difficulty from A1 to C2. 29 questions on texts ranging from everyday signs to complex scientific or literary documents.
Language Structures (MSL)
Questions
18 MCQ
Duration
15 minutes
Scoring
100-699 points
Unique to TCF Tout Public. Tests grammar, vocabulary, and syntax knowledge. 18 questions covering verb conjugation, prepositions, pronouns, agreement, and sentence structure from A1 to C2 level.
Written Expression (EE)
OptionalQuestions
3 tasks
Duration
60 minutes
Scoring
0-20 points
Optional. Same 3-task format as TCF Canada: short message (A1-A2), formal letter/article (B1-B2), and argumentative essay (C1-C2). Required by most French universities.
Oral Expression (EO)
OptionalQuestions
3 tasks
Duration
12 minutes
Scoring
0-20 points
Optional. Face-to-face interview with an examiner: guided interview (A1-A2), role play (B1-B2), and opinion defense (C1-C2). Some university programs require this section.
TCF Quebec Format (Detailed)
Modular format — you choose only the sections required for your Quebec immigration application (ARRIMA/PSTQ).
Modular: Choose Your Sections
Unlike TCF Canada where all 4 sections are mandatory, TCF Quebec lets you register for only the sections needed for your ARRIMA application. Most candidates take all 4, but you can select specific ones to save time and cost.
Listening Comprehension (CO)
Questions
29 MCQ
Duration
25 minutes
Scoring
100-699 points
Same progressive difficulty format as TCF Tout Public. 29 questions from A1 to C2 level. Results are converted to Quebec's own NCLC scale for ARRIMA points.
Reading Comprehension (CE)
Questions
29 MCQ
Duration
45 minutes
Scoring
100-699 points
29 questions with progressive difficulty. Quebec uses broader NCLC bands for scoring, so the conversion table differs slightly from federal (TCF Canada) conversions.
Written Expression (EE)
Questions
3 tasks
Duration
60 minutes
Scoring
0-20 points
Same 3-task structure. For Quebec immigration, written expression usually requires NCLC 5+ minimum. Higher NCLC scores earn more ARRIMA selection points.
Oral Expression (EO)
Questions
3 tasks
Duration
12 minutes
Scoring
0-20 points
Face-to-face interview with 3 tasks of increasing difficulty. Oral expression typically requires NCLC 7+ for competitive ARRIMA scores.
TCF IRN Format (Detailed)
For French citizenship, residence permits, and nationality applications. Capped at B2 difficulty with a shorter format since the 2025 reform.
Post-2025 Reform Format
Since January 2025, TCF IRN replaced TCF ANF. Key changes: maximum difficulty capped at B2 (no C1/C2 questions), 25 MCQs per comprehension section (instead of 29 or 39), writing reduced to 1 task, and a different scoring scale (0-499 for comprehension).
Listening Comprehension (CO)
Questions
25 MCQ
Duration
25 minutes
Scoring
0-499 points
25 questions with difficulty from A1 to B2 maximum. No C-level questions. Audio recordings cover everyday and semi-formal situations only.
Reading Comprehension (CE)
Questions
25 MCQ
Duration
45 minutes
Scoring
0-499 points
25 questions from A1 to B2 maximum. Texts cover practical documents, newspaper articles, and administrative forms — no academic or literary texts.
Written Expression (EE)
Questions
1 task
Duration
30 minutes
Scoring
0-20 points
Single writing task at A2-B1 level. Typically a formal letter or message related to an everyday situation (requesting information, making a complaint, explaining a situation).
Oral Expression (EO)
Questions
3 tasks
Duration
10 minutes
Scoring
0-20 points
3 tasks capped at B2: guided interview, interaction exercise, and opinion expression. Shorter than TCF Canada (10 min vs 12 min). Evaluated by a certified examiner.
Compensation Rule
For French nationality applications, you need B1 oral (speaking) minimum. For residence cards (carte de sejour), A2 is sufficient. The compensation rule allows a weak score in one skill to be offset by a strong score in another within the same domain (comprehension or expression), but only if both scores meet the minimum threshold.
Test Day: What to Expect
Practical information to help you prepare for your TCF test day.
What to Bring
A valid passport or national ID card (the same one used during registration). No phones, smartwatches, notes, or electronic devices are allowed in the test room. Pens and scratch paper are provided by the test center.
How Long to Plan For
Arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled time. The total session including check-in, instructions, and all sections can take 3-4 hours for TCF Canada. TCF IRN is shorter at about 2.5 hours total. Plan your entire morning or afternoon.
Computer vs. Paper
TCF Canada and TCF IRN are always computer-based. TCF Tout Public and TCF Quebec may be on computer or paper depending on the test center. Speaking is always face-to-face with an examiner. Check with your test center for the exact format.
When You Get Results
Results are typically available 2-4 weeks after the test. You receive an official attestation (certificate) valid for 2 years. For TCF Canada, IRCC accepts digital results sent directly from the test center. Check your test center's portal for online result access.