TEF Canada or TCF Canada, which one is easier?
Checked November 3, 2026
Neither is easier as such. IRCC accepts both, maps both to the same NCLC scale, and neither France Éducation international nor CCI Paris Île-de-France publishes a pass-rate comparison. What differs is the shape of the tasks. TCF Canada has 3 short texts in writing and a 12-minute speaking test, TEF Canada has one text of at least 200 words defending a view and a 15-minute speaking test where you have to persuade. The easier one is the one whose format suits you and that has a date soon.
Why there is no clear answer
Forums take turns saying one or the other is easier, but no official figure compares them. The NCLC cut-offs don’t compare either. 458 on TCF and 249 on TEF both give NCLC 7 in listening, on two different scales. A lower number doesn’t mean a more lenient test. The better question is which task format costs you less.
Skill by skill
| Skill | TCF Canada | TEF Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Writing | 3 tasks in 60 min, a 60–120 word message, a 120–150 word article or letter, a 120–180 word comparison of two documents | 2 sections in 1 h, continue a news story (80 words minimum, 25 min), then an argued opinion (200 words minimum, 35 min) |
| Speaking | 12 min, an interview, role play with 2 min preparation, opinion | 15 min, get information (5 min), then argue to persuade (10 min) |
| Listening | 39 questions, 35 min, rising difficulty | 40 questions, 40 min |
| Reading | 39 questions, 60 min, rising difficulty | 40 questions, 1 h |
In listening and reading, no real difference between the two tests is known. The gap is in writing and speaking. TCF suits you better if you write short and switch register easily, TEF if you can sustain a long argument and like defending one idea for a long time.
On TCF Canada a wrong or blank answer scores 0. TEF Canada does the same in listening and reading (1 point for a right answer, 0 otherwise). On both, answer everything.
Three profiles
- Long writing scares you. On TEF, section B asks for at least 200 words of argument in 35 minutes. On TCF the longest text is 180 words at most, but there are three to get through. Try one topic in each format against a timer.
- You freeze in front of an examiner. The TCF speaking test is shorter and starts with a 2-minute guided interview about you, your family and your work. TEF has you talk for 10 minutes to persuade.
- You also want citizenship. TCF Canada works for both. The TEF Canada citizenship format covers only listening and speaking.
What matters more than difficulty
The date and price in your city often matter more than the format. A test available in three weeks beats an “easier” one that is full for three months. See finding a test date and the full comparison of the two tests.
For many candidates the missing skill is writing, whichever test they pick. NCLC Prep marks TCF Canada writing tasks out of 20, not TEF sections.