The Test de Connaissance du Français (TCF) is a language placement test for non-native speakers of French who wish to obtain a simple, effective, and precise evaluation of their general language skills, whether it be for academic, professional, or personal reasons. Candidates to Sciences Po (Institut d’Etudes Politiques) are expected to take this exam to apply.
Yale University is no longer a test site for the TCF. Please see below for other resources including a new assessment service called Ev@lang.
The TCF is made up of two parts
1. The first part is divided into three mandatory tests:
- Compréhension orale / Listening comprehension
- Maîtrise des structures de la langue / Use of language structures
- Compréhension Écrite / Reading comprehensio
2. There are also two optional tests:
- Expression orale/ Spoken expression
- Expression Écrite / Written expression
The TCF-DAP (Test de Connaissance du Français pour la Demande d’Admission Préalable ˆ l’entrée dans les universités françaises), for candidates applying to enter a French university (1st year only), or a school of architecture.
The TCF-DAP is made up of two parts:
- The first part is the same as for the TCF (see above).
- There is also an additional written test, which is compulsory.
For more details about the TCF-DAP, please contact education@consulfrance-boston.org or scule.WASHINGTON-AMBA@diplomatie.gouv.fr
The TCF for Quebec, an exam specifically designed to be consistent with the standards of the Ministry of Immigration (MICC) of Quebec. This exam is only intended for people wishing to settle in Quebec. It is only valid for an immigration application and cannot be used for admission to a French university. The TCF-ANF (Test de Connaissance du Français pour l’accês à la nationalité française) is also given and consists of two parts.
The TCF, the TCF-DAP, TCF-NF, and the TCF for Quebec are valid for two years.
The CIEP is now providing a new assessment service through a new test called Ev@lang.
The difference between the TCF and Ev@lang is that the latter is a 100% online adaptive placement test to accurately assess the language skills of users in 3 languages for now (French, English and Arabic). It is easy to use and to administer and provides 12 levels of proficiency (aligned on the CEFR). For information on Ev@lang, please visit our website www.evalang.fr.
How to practice for the TCF
There are many resources available to practice for the TCF.
Books:
- Guide officiel d’entraînement au TCF: www.didierfle.com
- Le Nouvel Entraînez-vous 250 activités – TCF: www.cle-inter.com
- CD-Rom d’entraînement au TCF: www.cned.fr
Websites:
-Everything you need to know about the TCF on the CIEP website: http://www.ciep.fr/en/tcf/preparation.htm
-Sample tests on the RFI website: http://www.rfi.fr/lffr/questionnaires/073/questionnaire_19.asp
Please visit the websites of the CIEP (www.ciep.fr/en/tcf), the Cultural and Educational services of the French Embassy in the United States (www.frenchculture.org ), and Campus France (http://usa.campusfrance.org/fr/pages-transverses/bloc-actu-rouge/tcf-155.html) for information.
The candidates to Sciences Po should check this website: www.sciences-po.fr to find out more information concerning the conditions to apply.