TCF - Integration, Residence and Nationality
The TCF IRN is aimed at all foreign nationals over 16 years old who want to confirm their level of French in order to:
- apply for French nationality;
- apply for a long-term residence permit;
- validate A1 level as part of the OFII citizenship process.
Please note!
The TCF IRN will change from 12 May 2025. To find out more
About the tests
The TCF IRN is made up of 4 mandatory tests that assess general French language skills:
- Listening comprehension: Exam room test: 20 multiple choice questions (4 possible answers, only 1 correct answer). Duration; 15 minutes.
- Reading comprehension: Exam room test: 20 multiple choice questions (4 possible answers, only 1 correct answer). Duration; 20 minutes.
- Written skills: Exam room test: 3 exercises. Duration; 30 minutes.
- Verbal skills: Individual test one-on-one with an examiner: 3 exercises. Duration; 10 minutes.
The TCF IRN assesses only linguistic skills and not knowledge of French history, culture and society.
The TCF IRN has a total duration of 1 hour 15 minutes.
Registration
The TCF IRN sessions are organised throughout the year. The approved centres are authorised to organise sessions in line with their means to do so.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to contact the approved TCF centre closest to their home directly.
The approved TCF centre will provide information on the session dates, the registration process, the location for sitting the tests, materials for sitting the exam (on paper or on a computer) and the cost.
If you need special arrangements to take the tests, please consult the page dedicated to disability management.
If you think you qualify for an exemption, please contact the prefecture directly. Only the prefecture can issue an exemption.
Results
Your results will be sent to the test centre within 15 working days from the date on which France Éducation international receives the papers.
You should collect your certificate directly from the centre in which you sat the TCF IRN tests.
Your certificate will be valid for 2 years from the date on which the results were issued. This date of validity will be indicated on your certificate.
NB! Only one copy of your certificate will be issued. Therefore, it is recommended to keep a copy of your certificate.
The TCF IRN assesses up to B1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages by the Council of Europe.
For more information on the results, please click here.
What is assessed in the different tests?
Listening comprehension
- These questions test the ability to understand spoken French, such as:
- colloquial words and common expressions in everyday situations involving communication (conversations, interviews, phone calls, etc.);
- the main information in messages and simple, clear announcements;
- information on people, facts or events in radio or television broadcasts on current events or on personal and professional subjects;
- presentations on tangible or abstract subjects;
- any type of discourse given at an ordinary pace of delivery.
This test is made up of multiple choice questions (MCQ). Each question has 4 possible answers (A, B, C, D), but only one is correct.
The tests are given in a sequence of increasing difficulty.
NB! Each recording is only played once. The question is given after listening to the audio file.
Reading comprehension
These questions test the ability to understand written French, such as:
- colloquial nouns, very simple words and phrases used in situations involving communication (formal or informal messages and correspondence);
- information in common documents (classified adverts, brochures, menus and times, etc.);
- information on people, facts or events (personal correspondence);
- texts in informal language concerning everyday or work life;
- articles and reports in which the authors take a stance on specific or abstract subjects;
- long and complex factual or literary texts, specialist articles;
- abstract or complex texts or extracts from books, specialist articles.
This test is made up of multiple choice questions (MCQ). Each question has 4 possible answers (A, B, C, D), but only one is correct.
The tests are given in a sequence of increasing difficulty.
Verbal skills
This test evaluates the candidate’s ability to express themselves verbally in French and is made up of 3 tasks:
- Task 1 – Structured interview no preparation (3 minutes): the candidate should demonstrate their ability to converse with a person they do not know (the assessor).
- Task 2 – Exercise in interaction no preparation (3.5 minutes): the candidate should demonstrate their ability to obtain information in a common everyday situation. The positions of the interlocutor and candidate will be outlined in the instructions.
- Task 3 – Expressing a point of view no preparation (3.5 minutes): the candidate should demonstrate their ability to speak spontaneously, continuously and in a convincing manner when responding to a question chosen by the assessor.
In this test, the candidate is assessed on their ability to:
- talk about themselves and their family and professional life;
- ask questions suited to the given context for communication;
- give their opinion and explain the advantages and disadvantages of a plan, express agreement and disagreement;
- present a clear and structured line of argument in a style appropriate to the context;
- present complex subjects in a detailed and structured manner, develop these further and give a conclusion.
Written skills
This test evaluates the candidate’s ability to express themselves in written French and is made up of 3 tasks:
- Task 1: describing a person, a group of people, a place or an item in a short message to someone in response to a question asked by one or several of the interlocutors in a short message. Number of words expected: minimum of 30 words/maximum of 60 words.
- Task 2: writing an account of everyday activities aimed at one or several recipients to give a report of an experience or tell a story. Number of words expected: minimum of 40 words/maximum of 90 words.
- Task 3: giving their opinion on a place, item, person/group of people to one or more readers. Number of words expected: minimum of 40 words/maximum of 90 words.
In this test, the candidate is assessed on their ability to:
- communicate a message clearly;
- provide the requested information;
- describe, tell, explain;
- justify a choice, position, decision, etc.;
- link ideas and demonstrate coherence in their discourse;
- express their opinion and defend it;
- use vocabulary and structures suited to the given task.
NB! The written skills paper may be marked as “A1 not achieved” if:
- the writing is not legible (in cases of writing on paper);
- the completed tasks do not adhere to the word limits;
- the writing is off-topic;
- one or more tasks have not been completed.
Preparation for tests
The TCF IRN is not based on a programme of lessons, but on the candidate’s French language skills and their general ability to use French.
This language level depends on individual practice and may be improved by studying French in lessons or with specific books (see the resources page).
Here is some advice on preparing to sit the TCF:
Before sitting the test:
- become familiar with the TCF format (format and duration of tests),
- become familiar with how the TCF is carried out,
- read through example tests,
- immerse yourself in the French language as often as possible by reading, watching television, listening to the radio or recordings, talking with friends,
During the test:
- pay careful attention to the instructions,
- concentrate as much as possible, especially during the listening comprehension test,
- do not waste time taking notes for MCQ tests,
- manage your time in the grammar comprehension, reading comprehension and written skills tests (candidates need to complete 3 tasks).
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Studying for the TCF listening comprehension 
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Studying for the mandatory TCF tests 
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