TEF · Levelling test, results valid 2 years
The TEF, explained for Ethiopia
Test d’évaluation de français, run by CCI Paris Île-de-France (Le français des affaires). A modular levelling test that maps your French to the CEFR.
What the TEF is
A modular levelling test of general French. You sit only the parts your goal requires, and each part maps to a CEFR level rather than passing or failing you. First created in 1998.
Each module gives a score that maps to a CEFR level from A1 to C2. It is a levelling result, not a pass or fail. Results are valid for 2 years from the test date.
The modules
The TEF is modular: you sit only the parts your goal requires.
- Compréhension écrite (reading)
- Compréhension orale (listening)
- Lexique et structure (vocabulary and grammar)
- Expression écrite (writing)
- Expression orale (speaking, with an examiner)
The variants, and what each is for
| Variant | What it is for |
|---|---|
| TEF Études | Admission to French-speaking higher education; meets France’s DAP language requirement. The study version. |
| TEF Canada | Canadian immigration and citizenship applications. |
| TEF Québec (TEFAQ) | Québec immigration. |
| TEF IRN | French resident card and naturalisation. |
For study, the version to know is TEF Études. Not sure the TEF is right for you? Compare it with the TCF and the lifelong DELF and DALF diplomas.
Taking the TEF in Ethiopia
DELF and DALF, including the junior and scolaire diplomas for school-age students, can be sat in Addis Ababa. The TEF is listed by the Alliance, and TCF availability is not clearly confirmed, so check directly with the Alliance for the TEF and the TCF before you rely on sitting them locally.
Register through the Alliance Éthio-Française d’Addis-Abeba, or read our Ethiopia guide.
How the course prepares you
12 weeks, self-paced, about 96 hours in total, built around the CEFR so your work counts toward the TEF and the other French exams alike, with AI feedback on every writing and speaking task.
Start on TelegramTEF FAQ
What is the TEF and who runs it?
The TEF, Test d’évaluation de français, is run by CCI Paris Île-de-France (Le français des affaires). A modular levelling test of general French. You sit only the parts your goal requires, and each part maps to a CEFR level rather than passing or failing you. First created in 1998.
Which TEF should I take to study?
For higher education in France, take TEF Etudes, which meets the language requirement of the DAP admission procedure. TEF Canada and TEF Quebec are for the Canada and Quebec pathways. The TEF IRN is for a French resident card or naturalisation and is not what a student needs.
How is the TEF scored?
Each module gives a score that maps to a CEFR level from A1 to C2. It is a levelling result, not a pass or fail. Results are valid for 2 years from the test date.
Is the TEF offered in Ethiopia?
The TEF is listed by the Alliance Ethio-Francaise d’Addis-Abeba, but availability is best confirmed directly with the centre before you plan around it. The DELF and DALF diplomas are the exams most reliably sat in Addis Ababa.
Ready to start?
Begin the free lessons, or compare the TEF with the TCF and DELF and DALF.